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Post by Mrs Vindecco on Jul 12, 2011 9:30:38 GMT
I am asking this question as an ignorant foreigner that's knowledge of the USA's homefront during WW2 is lacking. As we know when the war broke out, Dwight went to work at Douglas Aircraft to help the effort. While studying the era for a project I'm working on, I tried to find out what older men like Dwight did during the war? Obviously we had the home guard (Dad's Army here) but I couldn't an equivalent in the States. So basically was Dwight in an unusual position by actually giving up a lot of time and working for the effort?
I hope this makes sense....
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Post by Monk's Moll on Jul 12, 2011 12:36:58 GMT
I think it makes sense, Mrs. V. If I remember correctly, wasn't he working on a secret bomb shelter?
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Post by Mrs Vindecco on Jul 12, 2011 13:17:39 GMT
I think that was what he was working on when he died but I just wondered how common his situation was? I mean on websites I looked at there is a lot about women working in factories etc but not much on men that were unable to serve in the forces.
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Post by Monk's Moll on Jul 12, 2011 18:50:53 GMT
Hmm, that is an interesting point Mrs. V.
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Post by Luna on Jul 12, 2011 20:30:35 GMT
Yes this is an interesting point. Men didn't often work in factories to my knowledge, although I could be wrong, but I do think his situation was unique in that way. I have heard of men organizing tire drives or getting people to buy bonds, etc. but not too much on factory work. I am certain that older gentlemen must have been involved in this though somewhere (?)
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Post by Mrs Vindecco on Jul 12, 2011 20:51:15 GMT
Have I stumbled upon a small group of unsung heroes? In the UK, the Home Guard have started to get full appreciation for their work. My Grandpa was in them, not because he was old but because he was an Engineer and deemed to important to go and fight.
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Post by Luna on Jul 12, 2011 21:04:40 GMT
You may very well have! I mentioned older gentlemen being involved because clearly they could not go to fight, but I am certain that younger men may have been involved too for various different reasons.
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Post by leah2359 on Jul 12, 2011 23:12:26 GMT
I think in general, most men who were too old to serve already had some kind of trade or job that they just kept. Or if they were retired they would collect scrap metal or sell bonds. Dwight's situation was sort of unique in that he did already have a career (acting) but it was one that allowed him to also take this other factory job. Apparently he had learned drafting skills in school (and was just naturally talented as we've seen with his sketches) and since the plant was not too far from his home he was able to contribute to the war effort in this way.
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