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
WAC
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
Book Review: An Army in Skirts
An Army in Skirts by Frances DeBra Brown Indiana Historical Society Press, 2008 “To all the women who served in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps and the Women’s Army Corps. We were raised as ladies and we acted as ladies, hence the name of my book An Army in Skirts.” Review by Jennifer Bergeron An … Continue reading Book Review: An Army in Skirts
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
Happy Crossword Puzzle Day
The first known published crossword was in the December 21, 1913 edition of the New York World newspaper. December 21 is Crossword Puzzle Day & to celebrate we've made a WAC crossword! A downloadable PDF version is available here. We tried to not make it too easy, but we promise it's not the Sunday Times-level … Continue reading Happy Crossword Puzzle Day
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.
Our Favorite WWII Music
Just a quick post since it's such a busy week (check out #ddayohio on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram) to see all of the goings-on at the event! We wanted to share our favorite playlist, full of hits from 1941-1944. Capt. Cooper is infamously not a fan of Glenn Miller's music, so excuse his absence. We're sure you'll catch … Continue reading Our Favorite WWII Music
WAAC Athletic Shoes
Athletic shoes frequently pop up in photos of the training centers, and were worn not only for physical training (which constituted 17-30 hours of Basic Training), but also for fatigue duty and in off-duty hours. We will wear ours at events centered around WAAC/WAC Training centers. "Originally, according to the Table of Basic Allowances, each … Continue reading WAAC Athletic Shoes
WAAC Exercise Suit Project
We have had this project languishing on the proverbial back burner for a few years now, but after Fort Meigs' Muster on the Maumee event and triple-digit heat, we decided to actually start it. The exercise uniform consisted of a front-buttoning striped seersucker dress and matching bloomers, the WAAC Summer Cap (AKA fatigue hat, "Daisy … Continue reading WAAC Exercise Suit Project
1st WAC Battalion Living History Group 