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The Skylighters were the 800-odd men of the four batteries of the 225th AAA Searchlight Battalion. After training at Camp
Davis, North Carolina, the 225th arrived in England just before New Year's Day 1944, and became part of the antiaircraft defense
of England. In mid-June, the Skylighters landed on Omaha Beach and formed part of the defense of Normandy. Thereafter, for
most of their dash across France and the Low Countries, the 225th were attached to the 9th Air Force's 422nd and 425th Night
Fighter Squadrons, who flew the deadly P-61 Black Widow interceptor against the Luftwaffe. In their role with the night fighters,
the 225th received partial credits on the downing of 36 enemy planes and V-1 buzz bombs. In addition, the battalion's 36 General
Electric searchlights were used to put up over 4,000 light canopies that saved countless planes as well as pilots and aircrews
that were lost or disabled in night combat in the ETO. Skylighters radar sets were used to vector the Black Widows to their
targets time and time again. At war's end, the 225th began training for deployment to the Pacific, and served for a while
as part of the Army of Occupation. Following the surrender of Japan, Skylighters began rotating back home, and by December
1945 the unit was disbanded.
There was one person who led or participated in every combat, training or occupation operation during WWII and the Korean
War. This person could always be depended on. GI's began to consider him the "super GI." He was one who always got
there first or who was always there when they left. I am, of course, referring to Kilroy Was Here. Somehow, this simple graffiti
captured the imagination of GI's everywhere they went. The scribbled cartoon face and words showed up everywhere - worldwide.
Stories (some even true) abound.
The Time Capsule - 1940s Archive
Wartime Vocalist,
Femme Fatales
1940's Entertainment
Retro girls
Find hundreds of nostalgic collectibles from the 1920s to the 1980s at BettysAttic.com.
The Gallery of Regrettable Food
Retro Clip Art
Sue Reads film tells the story of the 10,000 children who came to Britain to escape the Holocaust in soft tones and gentle
rythms, but somehow that heightens the horror.
Wartime Britain, and the period after the war ended in 1945, produced some of the most difficult times for theatre and pantomime.
In the early days of the war in 1940 it looked as if all places of public entertainment would be closed indefinitely, and
one by one the countrys theatres opened their doors, and the world of pantomime existed as a glittering escape from the streets
ravaged by nightly air raids and austere conditions at home and abroad.
BOOM! BANG!! BAM! Can you hear that? That's the sound of weapons in World War II. In the 1940's, it was not the happiest
decade. It was actually full of killing and blood. Yet, it also had some interesting sports, games, and famous people. Before
World War II there were many poor people. Suddenly there were headlines saying, "Japs declare war. Attack U.S."
After the war, the "Baby Boom" era began. If you don't know what "Baby Boom" is, I'll explain. After the
war, the survivors came home. There were many marriages and they started to have many babies. People born in this era were
called "Baby Boomers."
Soldiers of the glorious Finnish army!
Peace has been concluded between Finland and Soviet Russia, a harsh peace in which Soviet Russia has been ceded nearly
every battlefield on which you have shed your blood on behalf of everything we hold sacred and dear.
You did not want war; you loved peace, work and progress; but you were forced into a struggle in which you have achieved
great deeds, deeds that will shine for centuries in the annals of history.
There are places that command History,
Today they are places to walk.
When the veterans leave, there will remain to us only these places
to recall us what occurred there, on that day in June 1944.
They fought in canvas and wood biplanes that could barely fly 100 MPH. Men like von Richthofen, Rickenbacker, Bishop, Guynemer,
Mannock, Ball, who flew airplanes with names like Spad, Fokker, Albatros, Nieuport, and Sopwith Camel.
In this era, the top speeds were about 100 MPH. When the pilots ventured ten miles over the enemy lines, that was a notable
event. The pilots carried no parachutes. The airplanes were made of wood and canvas; when they caught on fire, it spread quickly,
and spelled certain death for the occupants.
The Timeline section focuses on the history of the Holocaust, chronicling the years from 1918 to the present. Hitler's rise
to power was the initiation of a period that wrought great fear and destruction. Millions were forced to live in ghettos,
only to be deported later to the concentration camps. The tragic details remained obscure until the liberation of the death
camps and the further revelations during the Nuremberg War Trials. The subsections below offer a simplified outline for thinking
about how the Holocaust unfolded.
This is the place to find Old Time Radio shows that have been featured within the past week. The shows are usually kept here
for a week or so after their day in the spotlight on the Today's Features page.
At its peak, the British Empire was the largest formal empire that the world had ever known. As such, its power and influence
stretched all over the globe; shaping it in all manner of ways. This site is dedicated to analysing the history of the British
Empire: The triumphs, the humiliations, the good that it brought and the bad that it inflicted. For better or worse the British
Empire had a massive impact on the history of the world. It is for this reason that this site tries to bring to life the peoples,
cultures, adventures and domination that made the Empire such a powerful institution. It is neither an apology for, nor a
nostalgic reminiscince of the institution that so dominated the world for over a century. Rather, it analyses and describes
the vast institution that so influenced the shape of the world that we see today.
Welcome to Don Mabry's Historical Text Archive !
The HTA publishes high quality articles, books, essays, documents, historical photos, and links, screened for content,
for a broad range of historical subjects. It was founded in 1990 in Mississippi and is one of the oldest history sites on
the Internet. This site is dynamic with regular additions to its contents and its link collection.
The Dad's Army Theme tune was penned by Jimmy Perry and Derek Taverner in 1969. The feel of the tune and the sentiment in
the lyrics are so 'right' that many believe they are listening to a real war-time song. Bud Flanagan sang the lyrics, it was
his last song recorded before he died. There have been many versions recorded at different stages, including one by Arthur
Lowe.
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Greatest Film Star Roles and Filmographies (see below) contains a selected sampling of the starring roles that best define
the screen presence or persona of some of the greatest stars of the American cinema. The definitive screen role is often the
one for which the actor or actress is best-remembered. In some cases, some actors/actresses - over a long, prolific career
- have had more than one exemplary or essential example of their acting portrayed in films.
Best of British Magazine Britain's favourite nostalgia monthly magazine is packed with stories and pictures guaranteed to
bring the memories flooding back. Offering page after page of timeless reading, Best of British covers every aspect of life
from the 1940s through to today, recording the way it once was and demonstrating what makes Britain so special
Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire, the historic site of secret British code breaking activities during World War Two and the
birthplace of the modern computer
I am well over 70 and have been married to Cliff for nearly 55 years. I have one very good son, a wonderful daughter-in law
and one very beloved granddaughter.
As I get older, I find myself slowing down and stiffening somewhat, so my computer-and the internet- has replaced the
knitting and designing I used to enjoy, just as walking
Gi-Gi, who you'll meet later, has replaced the ballroom dancing.
I still, however write poetry.
Friends of the 40s has finally arrived, ready to serve as your online news source to all thing 1940s. As well as keeping you
well informed of all the latest events and happenings on the 40s scene, we provide a resource to the fans, listing all the
best in 1940s entertainment, re-enactment groups and period traders. We also hope to provide community facilities for all
the online 40s fantactics. Look no further than Friends of the 40s for unrationed forties goodness.
Sentimental Journey was formed in 1995 by Ian Durrant, a collector for over 20 years. Ian served in the Territorial Army for
about nine years and in a mixture of units;
The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help is the leading national charity committed to helping
and supporting those who serve in our Armed Forces, those who used to serve, and the families of both. We provide a reliable,
caring and trusted service to more that 50,000 people each year.
Our professionally trained staff and network of 7,000 volunteers provide practical and financial assistance, emotional
support and a wide range of services to ensure that SSAFA Forces Help makes a real difference wherever there is a need and
whenever anybody turns to us for help
Shortly after becoming Prime Minister in May 1940, Winston Churchill visited the Cabinet War Rooms to see for himself what
preparations had been made to allow him and his War Cabinet to continue working throughout the expected air raids on London.
It was there, in the underground Cabinet Room, he announced 'This is the room from which I will direct the war'.
The National Archives is at the heart of information policy - setting standards and supporting innovation in information and
records management across the UK, and providing a practical framework of best practice for opening up and encouraging the
re-use of public sector information. This work helps inform today´s decisions and ensure that they become tomorrow´s permanent
record.
The FREE site for locating and contacting your old School, College and University friends, either to catch up on old times,
or even to arrange a reunion. Whatever the reason, we are sure you'll be happy here at My Home Town Schools!
From Flapper Fashion to 20s and 30s Movie and Royal Fashion Icons, to wartime Utility Clothing and Dior's New Look to 1950's
Glamour and Denim Jeans. Photos and image links. Social History 1914-1955.
At Past Perfect our passion is for natural, original sound of the 190s, 30s and 40s.
Our CDs enjoy a world-wide reputation for their unique clarity and fidelity. Big bands, trad jazz, dance bands, love songs,
swing and more... we use the very latest computer technology to achieve this, but will never use any of the gimmicks beloved
of contemporary sound engineers. No fake reverberation or artificial stereo on Past Perfect CDs just pure classic sound.
The Churchill Society London.
here are the title deeds of freedom which should lie in every cottage home
we must never cease to proclaim in fearless tones
the great principles of freedom and the rights of man
which are the joint inheritance of the English-speaking world
and which through Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights,
the Habeas Corpus, trial by jury,
and the English common law
find their most famous expression
in the American Declaration of Independence.
Winston Churchill
I would encourage anyone with memories of WW II to write them down for the benefit of their offspring and those who were not
there to understand the times. You need not write a book. A simple paragraph or two of even one moment should be recorded.
My visitors and I would of course enjoy the privilege of being able to read them on this page
Shortly after the beginning of World War II in September 1939, a POW camp called Kriegsgefangenen-Mannschafts-Stammlager (Stalag)
VII A was established north of Moosburg. Originally it was planned for 10,000 prisoners, but at the end of the war some 80,000
Allied soldiers - mostly French and Soviet citizens - had to live in it.
This Website is dedicated to the sailors who served on Landing Craft Infantry during WWII, to the soldiers and marines they
delivered to beaches around the world, and to the shipmates who never returned.
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