Delaware in World War II

Images of America: Delaware

by Peter F. Slavin and, Timothy A. Slavin

As World War II raged across the world, the lives of every Delawarean changed. Whether wearing a uniform, working in the shipyards and factories that supported the war effort, or volunteering for service organizations, the citizens of Delaware met the challenge of wartime living. Delaware in World War II celebrates the heroism and bravery of those who fought the war on the home front. From school children collecting scrap metal to first-time women factory workers building airplanes, this collection of over 200 photographs examines the many facets of daily life during this tumultuous time. These provocative images show a society united against a common cause and citizens willing to change their lives for a common good. The photographs in this volume were selected from the records of the Delaware Public Archives, including some never before seen images that illustrate a special piece of American history.

Genres: Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published June 7, 2004

Reviews

[Jenn Webster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed reading this wonderful photo album of how Delawareans help serve the men and women on the home front during World War II; I have been actually looking for any kind of book that I could find on how Americans serve their time on the home front during the second World War, and I have finally found it in this book. Anybody who is looking for any new book that is related to WWII history or the home front during the war would want to check this book out!-JW 🎖️👍

[Debbie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter, Rachel, recommended this book to me and before I even read them I recommended them to my library book club. I am so glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were many highlights. I like that the book is based on historical pictures and facts surrounding those pictures. It makes the time period come to life. I wonder if they have these kinds of books for other states. I will be looking for some from my home state of Pennsylvania soon.

One of the biggest surprises was on page 27. It says,
"JAPANESE SUB ON DOVER'S GREEN. A captured Japanese submarine was towed int Dover and put on exhibition on Dover's Green to publicize a war bond drive. The crowds that gathered to see this were among the largest for any war bond rally held in Dover. (Delaware Public Archives, 1325.205, Box 1.)

I was also fascinated by the early pictures of the then New Castle Army Air Base, now the Wilmington Airport. I was surprised by the cost of the daycare with lunch for children with mother's working in the war effort and fathers away in the service... just $3 a week and that included meals.

This was a fascinating read and if you live in a different state I recommend you check your library for Images of America books for your state.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know how to rate this as I loved it but unless you're looking into Delaware history or have some interest in it then this book probably wouldn't be something most people would like too much. :) I loved it because I've lived here most of my life and it was fascinating to see the place where I grew up and how it looked in my grandparents time and during this important period in our nation's history.

The dozen's of pictures interested me greatly and I felt my eye's widening with surprise and excitement in seeing how much Delaware brought to the war effort! For such a little state it brought me some pride to see my "ancestors" of the state doing their part in big ways. As for a history book however, I wish there had been more content and description of what Delaware was involved in during the war, instead of just the brief descriptions of the content within the pictures. There wasn't much to add to my knowledge of WWII history itself, sadly, other than what the pictures held in them.