World War II Trivia - interesting items discovered during the research for Riebel-Roque's World War II book titles...

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FILL 'ER UP SENIOR
   In early 1942, rumors were rampant in Central America that German submarines were being re-fueled at Central American seaports.  The US Navy investigated but found nothing to substantiate the rumors, and post-war German records revealed that no re-fueling occurred.
   Another rumor that circulated was that ethnic Germans in Central America had teamed up with the descendent of buccaneers to supply food to German subs from small fishing boats.  Post-war German records said nothing of this activity either.
Source: "History of United States Naval Operations in World War II," Volume 7, by Samuel Eliot Morison

 

A HOT TIME IN THE OLD KREMLIN TONIGHT
   During August 1942, Churchill went to Moscow to confer with Stalin.  A gala dinner was held in the Kremlin for Churchill which included 26 course.  The dinner began with caviar and ended with bon bons.  Vodka, wine and champaign flowed freely and after 25 toasts they lost count.  The party lasted until dawn.
Source: "Time Capsule 1942" a Time-Life publication

THE SWANS WON
   In May 1941, the U.S. Army announced that it would build a training camp near West Yellowstone, Montana.  Bird-lovers and environmentalist loudly objected because nearby Henry's Lake was one of the last refuges in North America for the trumpeter swans in North America.  Subsequently, the Army canceled plans to build the camp.
Source: "US Army in WW II: The Technical Services of the Corps of Engineers," by Lenore Fine and Jesse A. Remington

 

HE'S OUT BUT YOU'RE DRAFTED
   January 19, 1942 was a big day for boxer Joe Louis.  He knocked out contender Buddy Baer in two minutes and 56 seconds to retain his title.  That evening, when Louis got home, his draft notice was in the mail.
Source: "Time Capsule 1942" a Time-Life publication

NEW YORK CHICKENS AND THE US ARMY
   During the early part of the war, chickens became very scarce in the markets of New York City and a black market in chickens soon evolved.  Also in nearby Army camps, chickens were in short supply.  To cope with the situation, the Army setup roadblocks in New York and New Jersey looking for contraband chickens.
   Ironically, eggs were plentiful.
Source: "Detroit Goes to War: The American Automobile Industry in WW II," by V. Dennis Rynn

 

STAY AWAY
   In the February 28, 1944 issue of Like Magazine there was a full-page ad saying "Don't Come to San Francisco Now."  Due to the ship-building operations throughout the area and other war-related activities, hotel space was unavailable and the city's services were stretched to their limits.
Source: Life Magazine February 28, 1944

ZOOT SUITS
   During the summer of 1943 a fad began, mainly among Mexican-Americans in the Los Angeles area of wearing "Zoot Suits."  These were dress suits with exaggerated features such as frilly shirt, high-riding pants, long key-chains, long coats and broad-rimmed hats.  To many people, Zoot Suits were repugnant and it was widely believed that they were unpatriotic because the used too much clothing fabric which was generally in short supply.  The Mexican-Americans persisted, however, and ugly incidents broke out between Mexican-Americans on one side and service men, angry citizens and police on the other.  The disturbances became known as the "Zoot Suit Riots."
Source: "The Home Front USA," a Time-Life publication