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World War II

The Home Front
The people of Newfield saw a dramatic change when World War II started. Farmers now had a great demand for their crops, whereas before they had little business. Women now were offered jobs previously for men.

The War Front
Soldiers from Newfield went to both theaters, east and west. Of 124 that went from Newfield, five gave their lives. A few even distinguished themselves in combat. Most of the young men who volunteered or were later drafted entered through the local recruiting station, which was maintained by the Selective Service Board No. 496.

Newfield men who lost their lives in World War II:
Smith Griffin
George Goff
John H. Smith
Herman Vollmuth

Click here to see a list of those who served in World War II

Drives-Drives were held for various things in which the people gave a certain thing that would then be used for the war effort.
Aluminum Drive- People saved each scrap of aluminum and flattened it and wrapped it around a ball of it then when the ball was big enough they would take it to the school for the war effort.
Tin Drive- Kids and adults too would clean tin cans and stomp them flat and collect them for later contribution to a redemption center.
War Bond Drive- The government sold bond that you could purchase to help the war, and after the war was over the government would pay you back with interest. Citizens would save up money slowly and then buy bonds to help with the war effort. Even kids would save change and buy stamps one at a time to fill a book that could be exchanged for bonds.

Rationing

Families were given a certain amount of coupons that could be turned in for whatever amount it said of sugar, gasoline, meat, or other quantities of resources that could be used for the war.

Gasoline- Gas was rationed not to conserve it but to conserve rubber instead.

Sugar- Sugar was also rationed because it was conserved for the soldiers rations

Meat- another food rationed and the government also asked that people observed "meatless Mondays".

Shoes- Selecting shoes was important during the war because the rationing on shoes meant you had to pick ones that would survive growth and still last a long time.

This page by Gordon Szebenyi

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