Correspondence from soldiers to the homefront, usually in the form of V-mail, often listed vague locations such as “somewhere in the Pacific.” Rationing was everywhere and most commodities were in short supply.

Common items in the home during World War II

Even Christmas decorations changed with the war. Prior to the war, ornaments were silvered and possessed metal caps and hangers. Due to the need for silver nitrate for military equipment, wartime ornaments were unsilvered and the tops bore paper hangers.

Wartime Ornaments
Paper Hangers

Coming on the heels of the Depression, the war years were lean years. Because of the shortage of men at home, many women found work outside the home doing jobs that had originally been performed by men. The majority were employed in manufacturing items needed for the war. The able-bodied men at home farmed or participated in intensive manual labor activities.

Correspondence from soldiers to the homefront, usually in the form of V-mail, often listed vague locations such as “somewhere in the Pacific.” Rationing was everywhere and most commodities were in short supply.

Common items in the home during World War II

Even Christmas decorations changed with the war. Prior to the war, ornaments were silvered and possessed metal caps and hangers. Due to the need for silver nitrate for military equipment, wartime ornaments were unsilvered and the tops bore paper hangers.

Wartime Ornaments
Paper Hangers

Coming on the heels of the Depression, the war years were lean years. Because of the shortage of men at home, many women found work outside the home doing jobs that had originally been performed by men. The majority were employed in manufacturing items needed for the war. The able-bodied men at home farmed or participated in intensive manual labor activities.