For a lot of Texans, WWII was a time we’ll never forget – even if we weren’t alive yet when it happened. It affected all of our lives in some way, from family members lost as heroic casualties to loved ones who lived to tell us their heart-wrenching stories. Although words are great illustrations of what went on during the tragic four years full of bloodshed, pictures are worth a thousand words. They allow us to almost experience the tragedy, feel the adrenaline of the soldiers in training and the empowerment of the working women – all through the lens of a camera that captured these moments so many decades ago. Here are 10 photos taken during WWII in Texas that are sure to stir up some memories for you.
- This is a C-87 transport plane in Fort Worth that was just about to take off. It carried one of the greatest human and cargo loads of any plane, even those in mass production today.
Howard R. Hollem
- This a sea plane being tested out at the naval air base in Corpus Christi.
Wikimedia Commons
- We all know how important women’s work was during WWII!
Wikimedia Commons This riveter was learning how to be a mechanic in the Assembly and Repair Department of the naval air base in Corpus Christi.
- A group of tired workers leaves the Beaumont shipyards after a long day of contributing to the war effort.
Wikimedia Commons
- And, boy, was work difficult. Carbon plants, like this one in Sunray, subjected employees to grueling shifts full of hard, dirty labor.
Wikimedia Commons
- War propaganda was everywhere - even in elementary schools like this one in San Augustine County.
Wikimedia Commons
- This is a bomber and transport plane plant in Fort Worth - part of the world’s largest double aircraft assembly line.
Wikimedia Commons
- These are training planes at the naval air station in Corpus Christi.
Wikimedia Commons
- A military policeman allows a car to pass through the entrance to Camp Swift, an army training base in Bastrop County.
Wikimedia Commons
- A Navy Seal stands tall and proud of his seven years in the service.
Wikimedia Commons
How do these photos make you feel? Is there one in particular that brings up a memory or a story passed down to you by a loved one?
Howard R. Hollem
Wikimedia Commons
This riveter was learning how to be a mechanic in the Assembly and Repair Department of the naval air base in Corpus Christi.
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