The American Home front
During World War 2 most average Americans help the allied war effort by doing things like rationing food. Also many Americans, women in particular took the places of the man over seas to keep the economy in check. Many young Americans like Leonard Serkess saw many of his friends and family members go off to fight in the war. The draft had made a large hole in the American work force but this hole provided new opportunities for woman and teens who couldn't serve in the armed forces. A major contribute to the allied victory of World War two was not just thanks to the brave men who served over seas. The civilians played a mayor role in this victory also. People like Leonard Serkess did many things to help the war effort. When the United States started to ration food to feed the troops fighting on both fronts. Americans like Leonard were given ration books. Americans had to follow the food regulations that where placed on things like sugar,meat, butter and cloths. If you had a car during the war even the gasoline was heavily rationed Mr. serkess remembers that you really only were allowed to drive if you worked in the city and they still heavily rationed the gas stamps available to you. During the war America was fully transformed into a industrial power house. Making hundreds of supplies to be used on the front lines by our troops and our allies. Hundreds of guns,tanks, and planes where made each day to help support the war effort. Many of these items were made by women working in defense plants were most of these jobs were held strictly for men. How ever with many men joining the armed forces women filled their places at home. Many Americans now had mothers,sisters and cousins not just a mayor component of the work force but they were now part of the war effort. It was due to there hard work that men on the front lines were well equipped and ready to serve their country. By the end of war women in the American workforce made up about thirty six percent of the factory workers. |
An American ration book every family was given by the government to hold ration stamps.
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The British Homefront
British citizens in World War II certainly led a much harder lifestyle than the Americans. The steady rate of Air Raids throughout the U.K., particularly London, where Len Bex was born and grew up, changed life in England drastically. Len was a survivor of the Blitz, a period in which, over 37 weeks, just London was bombed 71 times. Starting on September 7th, 1940, Britain was bombed for 57 consecutive days by the German Air Force. Len was lucky enough to survive this intense time in the war. America was fortunate to not have bombing raids like the U.K. did. However, just like America, there was rationing on many common items, such as food. The rationing helped save some for the troops on the battle fronts.
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