Thanksgiving Over There

WORLD WAR II

Germany invaded Poland in 1939. Great Britain and France declared war on Germany, a war which soon widened as military operations spread through Europe, Asia, Africa and Russia. America entered the war on December 8, 1941. American forces invaded North Africa in 1942, eventually sweeping into Italy through Sicily. In 1944, American troops landed on the beaches of France. Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945. The Japanese offensive in the Pacific was brought to a halt in 1942. American forces advanced slowly and painfully, reentering the Philippines in late 1944. Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945.

Over 12,000,000 Americans (including over 250,000 women) served in the armed forces during World War II.

The scope of the war and the number and diversity of overseas operations presented an enormous challenge for food supply, transport and distribution. The logistics of food supply could not be allowed to dictate military strategy. Additional planning and coordination were essential.

Both at home and overseas, the military attempted not only to feed the troops, but to feed them well. As Bill Mauldin noted, however, the food got worse the closer you got to the front. Overseas units still depended largely on canned food, dehydrated fruits, and "powdered" eggs. The exceptions were Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, when extraordinary efforts were made to get holiday food to combat areas.

On the home front, food rationing was instituted. Once again, American families curtailed their holiday celebrations for the sake of their troops overseas.

Thanksgiving Proclamation 1943
World War II Homefront Recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole
World War II Turkeys for the Troops Recipe
World War II Voices from the Front