Traveling
Tuesday: Alabama's Wartime Service
Like with many states in the U.S., by the time World
War II rolled around, Alabama had begun its recovery from the Great Depression.
However, the war brought an explosion of industrial expansion, and as a result,
creating boomtowns from the influx of new employees. On the Gulf of Mexico,
Mobile welcomed more than 90,000 job seekers.
Because land in Alabama was plentiful and inexpensive,
and the climate temperate, the government realized the state was ideal for
military bases. Fort McClellan, already in place, became a major induction
center, and Camp Rucker, constructed in 1942, was the state’s second largest
training center. Chemical warfare training was done at Camp Sibert. Known as “The
road to Tokyo,” Maxfield Army Air Base trained thousands of pilots and air
crew. Perhaps the most well-known base was the Tuskeegee Army Airfield where
more than 1,000 African-American men earned their wings.
On the home front, the Red Cross was active making
bandages, knitting sweaters, and collecting clothing for people injured or
displaced by the war overseas. Montgomery’s Soldier’s Center, later known as
the Army-Navy USO Club, was the first civilian-run servicemen’s club in the
U.S.
Manufacturing and shipbuilding were major industries
in Alabama, and the state contained two of the nation’s five plants that
produced aluminum, a crucial component in aircraft. By 1943, the Mobile
facility was producing 34% of the country’s output. So important was this
location that it became a target for German saboteurs, who were fortunately
arrested in 1942. Other plants produced gunpowder, weapons, and textiles for
uniforms, tents, bedding, and sandbags. Two arsenals were built in Huntsville.
Agriculture was also impacted by the war. Cotton saw
an increase because of the textile mills, and forest products were used for
lumber and paper products. As with the rest of the country labor shortages were
an issue, but usage of POWs from one of the four camps in the state solved the
problem. One report states that nearly 4,000 German and Italian POWs saved the
1944 peanut crop.
Although residents of the state didn’t know it at the
time, the waters off their shores were some of the most dangerous places for
shipping. German U-boats sank about fifty freighters and tankers in the Gulf of
Mexico. Explosions could be heard, and ships could sometimes be seen on the
horizon.
More than 6,000 Alabamians gave the ultimate
sacrifice, and lost their lives during the war. Twelve of the 469 Medal of
Honor recipients were either born in the state or entered service there.
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Love's Allegiance now available for pre-order!
With most U.S. boys fighting for Uncle Sam in far off
countries, Rochelle Addams has given up hope for a wedding in her future. Then
she receives an intriguing offer from a distant relative to consider a marriage
of convenience.
Conscientious objector Irwin Terrell is looking
forward to his assignment at Shady Hills Mental hospital to minister to the
less fortunate in lieu of bearing arms. At the arrival of the potential bride
his father has selected for him, Irwin’s well-ordered life is turned upside
down. And after being left at the altar two years ago, he has no interest in
risking romance again.
Despite his best efforts to remain aloof to Rochelle,
Irwin is drawn to the enigmatic and beautiful young woman, but will time run
out before his wounded heart can find room for her?
Inspired by the biblical love story of Rebekkah and
Isaac, Love’s Allegiance explores the
struggles and sacrifices of those whose beliefs were at odds with a world at
war.
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