Written by Stephanie Nickols On May 15, 1942 the United States government enacted Public Law 554 creating the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). Thousands of women enlisted in the WAAC in order to help with the war effort. Five training centers were formed to train the women for Army life and to be placed in … Continue reading Military Bands and the Women’s Army Corps
Research
Book Review: Mollie’s War
Mollie’s War: The Letters of a World War II WAC in Europe By Mollie Weinstein Schaffer and Cyndee Schaffer McFarland Publishing, 2010 http://www.mollieswar.com/ Rating: 4 out of 5 Review by Amanda McInnis Time/Part of War covered: 1943 – 1945. The focus is on the war through Mollie’s eyes – and therefore it goes from her enrollment, … Continue reading Book Review: Mollie’s War
Female Reenactor Survey Results
Last week we conducted an informal survey to be able to see what the current state of the WWII female reenacting community was. We had an amazing response with over 500 respondents in under 3 days. We have (very unscientifically) compiled the answers in the below report, identifying trends and including highlights from the responses. … Continue reading Female Reenactor Survey Results
WAC Winter Underwear–DIY
“Life is really rugged out here, but I enjoy every bit of it. We eat, sleep, & work in the open. I even wear long underwear!! Can you feature that?” -Mollie Weinstein writing from France, 12 August 1944 Excerpted from Mollie's War In the early days of the WAAC, the subject of what the issued … Continue reading WAC Winter Underwear–DIY
Trivia Day Quiz
In honor of National Trivia Day, we've made a short quiz on WAC Trivia. A few of these are fairly simple, but most are a little more difficult. All questions are culled from sources that are available online, so you could take it open note style if you are so inclined. The quiz is available … Continue reading Trivia Day Quiz
Table of Equipment 21
When determining the appropriate uniform for one's impression(s), it's necessary to use a multitude of resources. We'll keep sharing uniform references on the blog, so stay tuned, but let's focus on T/E 21 for today. Tables of equipment (T/Es) were charts of the equipment to be issued to an organization or individual. T/E 21 "Clothing … Continue reading Table of Equipment 21
WAAC-WAC Training Programs
WAC Training Programs went through several changes during WWII. This infographic will help explain some of the changes that were made from the first classes in 1942, to the adoption of MTP 35-10 in July 1944.
1st WAC Battalion Living History Group 