The idea of the United States having to create an infrastructure to defend itself from possible aerial attacks on its homeland did not become a front-burner issue until the mid-1930s. Several factors brought the possibility to the forefront. Most prominent was the development of larger, longer-range aircraft capable of executing bombing strikes from long distances,Continue reading “Air raid wardens bolstered civil defense effort on the home front during World War II”
Tag Archives: wwii
Longren Aircraft executive Hampden Wentworth’s successful career ended in tragedy
Twenty-nine-year-old self-taught engineer and aviation pioneer Albin Longren made his first successful flight in a plane that he had built himself in Topeka, Kansas, on Sept. 2, 1911. Inspired, Longren started his own company, and the Longren Aircraft Corp. began turning out planes. One of his most interesting creations was aimed at Kansas farmers: aContinue reading “Longren Aircraft executive Hampden Wentworth’s successful career ended in tragedy”
The USS California served as flagship of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet for nearly two decades
Seven U.S. Navy vessels have been named the USS California since 1867. Perhaps the most famous is the fifth one, the Tennessee-class battleship given the identification number BB-44 (“Battleship #44”) by the Navy. The ship got its official launch on Nov. 20, 1919 in Vallejo, California at the Mare Island Navy Yard where it wasContinue reading “The USS California served as flagship of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet for nearly two decades”
Wartime sabotage was a major concern at defense plants, key infrastructure locations
A recent viewing of the admittedly obscure 1944 film “Secret Command,” during which Pat O’Brien goes undercover in a defense plant to expose Nazi saboteurs, inspired this look at how the fear of sabotage was a major concern during the 1930s and 1940s. The film is a routine thriller, but is of historic interest. MuchContinue reading “Wartime sabotage was a major concern at defense plants, key infrastructure locations”
Army general Amos Fries played a huge role in developing the Port of Los Angeles
Amos Alfred Fries (pronounced “freeze”) was career Army all the way. He was born in Viroqua, Wisconsin, on March 17, 1873. The family moved around a bit when he was young, first to Missouri and then to Oregon. Fries was living in Oregon when he applied and was accepted to the U.S. Military Academy inContinue reading “Army general Amos Fries played a huge role in developing the Port of Los Angeles”
