Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt
DEdication To Christy, Emily, Kaitlyn, Sam, Jon, Gabe, Christian, Joshua, Amanda, and Nick. May you grow up to appreciate the determination, faith, focus, and sacrifices of the Americans who truly earned the reputation of being the greatest generation on earth. Nomad Press A division of Nomad Communications 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Copyright 2006 by Nomad Press All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. The trademark Nomad Press and the Nomad Press logo are trademarks of Nomad Communications, Inc. Printed in the United States. ISBN: 0-9771294-1-1 Questions regarding the ordering of this book should be addressed to Independent Publishers Group 814 N. Franklin St. Chicago, IL 60610 www.ipgbook.com Nomad Press 2456 Christian St. White River Junction, VT 05001 www.nomadpress.net
Contents 11 Part 1: On the Home front Important People World War II Timeline Maps 1 Introduction 61 Part 2: On the Front lines 15 Living in Fear Anderson Shelter Model WWII Spotter Airplane Models 26 Supporting the Troops Victory Banner Papier-Mâché Piggy Bank 33 Food Rationing Ration Cakes Tabletop Victory Garden 41 WWII Fashions Step into Rosie s Shoes Victory Pin 48 War-Time Fun Silly Putty Animation Flip Book 55 Prisons of Discrimination Paper Cranes 65 Spying for Secrets Secret Boiled Egg Message Footprint Mold 73 Prisons of Hate Wish Wheel Mobile 78 Code Breakers & Talkers Code Grill Signal Light 85 Lifting Morale Ration Kit Soldier Care Package 93 Proving Their Value Secret Message Deck 98 Women in the Danger Zone Recruitment Poster 104 Ingenious War Technology Barrage Balloon Flotilla Glossary Resources Index
IMPORTANT PEOPLE Adolf Hitler: The German dictator who started World War II to create a great German state for all Germans. He sought the destruction of all European Jews, millions of whom were killed in Nazi death camps. In 1945, Hitler committed suicide in his underground bunker in Berlin as Allied troops approached. Sir Winston Churchill: As prime minister of Britain, Churchill was able to inspire the British people to great patriotism. This gave them the courage to deal with the physical dangers and sacrifices demanded of them during the war. Franklin D. Roosevelt: America s 32nd president, Roosevelt was known as FDR. Before the United States entered the war on December 8, 1941, Roosevelt helped Britain, the Soviet Union, France, and other countries fighting Germany by providing all kinds of supplies through his 1941 Lend- Lease Act. Roosevelt died before the end of the war, in April 1945 A meeting between Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill in 1943 at the Russian Embassy in Teheran, Iran. Dwight D. Eisenhower: An army general, Eisenhower served as the supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War II. He planned the invasion of France known as Operation Overlord, which helped the Allies to defeat Hitler. Eisenhower later served as America s 34th president. iv
Joseph Stalin: The dictator of the Soviet Union from 1928 through World War II and until he died in 1953. Stalin is credited with transforming the Soviet Union into a superpower. He was also responsible for the deaths of millions of his own people who were sent to harsh labor camps, mostly accused of being enemies of the state. After Hitler invaded the Soviet Union, Stalin sided with Britain and was one of the Allied powers. Benito Mussolini: A fascist, Mussolini ruled Italy from 1922 to 1943 through intimidation and total control of the media and military. During World War II he sided with Nazi Germany. General Hideki Tojo: Japan s prime minister during most of the war (until July 1944). Tojo commanded the Japanese military and ordered the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. After Japan surrendered to the Allied forces in 1945, Tojo shot himself before being arrested by the U.S. military. He survived but was executed as a war criminal in 1948. Harry S. Truman: Truman became America s 33rd president when President Roosevelt died. It was his decision to drop two atomic bombs on Japan, which quickly brought an end to World War II. Mussolini and Hitler Churchill and Eisenhower v
WORLD WAR II TIMELINE 1939 August 1939 The Soviet Union and Germany sign a nonaggression pact, agreeing not to fight each other when they both invade Poland. September 1939 Hitler invades Poland from the west. France, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, and India declare war on Germany. This is the official start to World War II. The countries against Germany are called the Allies. The Soviet Union invades Poland from the east. October 1939 Poland surrenders to Hitler. The Nazis begin persecuting Polish Jews. November 1939 The United States begins selling military supplies to Britain and France. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union attacks Finland. 1940 April 1940 Germany invades Denmark and Norway, and Denmark surrenders. May 1940 Germany invades Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and France. Winston Churchill becomes Britain s new prime minister. Belgium and the Netherlands surrender. June 1940 Italy enters the war on the side of Nazi Germany, declaring war on France and Britain. France and Norway surrender. July 1940 Churchill rejects a peace pact proposed by Hitler. The Battle of Britain begins when Germany starts bombing Britain. September October 1940 Germany intensely bombs London. This blitz continues for 57 nights, killing more than 40,000 citizens. The bombing of London continues off and on until the following May, but Britain fends off Germany s attacks and Hitler is unable to invade. Japan joins Italy and Germany in fighting the Allies. This is known as the Tripartite Pact, and the three countries are called the Axis Powers. vi