Uncategorized – Page 33 – Hinges of History

15 June 1944

Great photo!

Mapham J (Sgt), No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit Official photographer. IWM B 5585
The British Army in the Normandy Campaign 1944. Glider troops pose with a local French girl on a captured German motorcycle.

Glider infantry was a type of airborne infantry in which soldiers and their equipment were inserted into enemy controlled territory via military glider rather than parachute. Initially developed in the late 1930s by Germany, glider infantry units were used extensively during World War II but are no longer used by any modern military.

In 1942, Winston Churchill decreed the formation of a British glider force of 5000 gliders.

Glider landings in The Battle of Normandy were very successful. In particular, one coup de main force in six Horsa gliders seized vital bridges over the River Orne by surprise. The British 6 Airlanding Brigade were in action early on following concentrated landings, and prevented early…

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Happy Father’s Day!

Recruitment poster c. 1943 for the Navy WAVES shows a proud father and a photograph of his daughter in her uniform.

And this is the original John Falter painting that inspired the image. Seemed appropriate to share these this Father’s Day.

Both come from the Naval History and Heritage Command.

Raising the Flag

Navy WAVES raise the flag outside of their Quonset hut barracks c. 1944. It seemed an appropriate image for this Flag Day.

The photo comes from the special collections in the Schlesinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.

Breakfast with Dignitaries

Admiral Ernest J. King greets WAVES Lt. Commander Mildred McAfee at a breakfast given by WAVES by high-ranking Naval officers, members of Congress, and other dignitaries at the Hotel Statler, Washington, DC.

The photograph comes from the National Archives.

Making a Splash

WAVES get a taste of summer! Swimming was part of the recreational activities for WAVES at their training school in the Bronx. Here, the women learn the basics.

The 1943 photograph comes from the National Archives.

Church Services

This paperwork from the U.S. Naval Training School in the Bronx for WAVES (at the former Hunter College) outlines the schedule for religious services. Note there are only three options: Catholic, Protestant and Jewish. It dates from June 11, 1943.

It comes from the special collections in the Schlesinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.

The Link Trainer

Two WAVES on duty in the Link trainer of the Navy Department, Washington DC, c. June 1943.

The photograph comes from the National Archives.

Graduation Ceremonies

It’s graduation season! And even WAVES marched in formation to celebrate their matriculation.

In this photo from 71 years ago, WAVES at the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Norman, Oklahoma graduated from their advanced training.

This group marched to commencement in 1943. The photo comes from the National Archives.

WAVES Newsletter 6/44

From 70 years ago this month.

It comes from the special collections in the Schlesinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.

Naval Hospital, Oakland, Pt. 3

In this 1943 image, Reita M. White, a Pharmacist’s Mate 3rd Class, inspects teeth in the dental clinic at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Oakland, California.

The photograph comes from the National Archives.