Spirit of '45 Bay Area

06/25/2019

These WWII ads are by ‘Community’, a sliver company. During WWII their factories were converted to war production. They supplied the US Army and Navy with flatware, surgical instruments, and battlefield equipment from hand grenades, jet engine parts, guns, to aircraft fuel tanks.
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#wwii #wwiihistory #1940s #ww2soldier #ww2history #ww2advertising #1940sadvertising #ww2uniform #usahistory #1940 #worldwar2 #vintageads #vintageww2 #1940sfashion #1940style #vintagecouple #navy #ww2navy

06/22/2019

Hey there soldier!

Photo by @thecultivator (Daniel Garcia)
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#livinghistory #1940sevent #1940s #1940sfashion #vintage #vintagelifestyle #ww2 #ww2history #wwii #vintagelife #1940smenswear #wwiireenactment #sanjoseca #california #sanfranciscobayarea #historysanjose #1945 #spiritof45bayarea #worldwar2

06/21/2019

Be sure to follow us on Instagram!
https://www.instagram.com/spiritof45bayarea/

06/19/2019

Looking sharp!
Troops from the US Army’s 19th Bombardment Group, February 1943 for a decoration ceremony at a training base in Pyote, Texas.
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#wwii #wwiihistory #1940 #ww2soldier #ww2history #ww2uniform #usahistory #1940s #worldwar2 #americanarmy #vintagephoto #americainww2 #ww2

06/17/2019

Happy Father’s Day!
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#1940sfashion #1940s #vintagelifestyle #vintagemenswear #vintagelife #vintageclothing #1940sclothing #1940scatalog #1940sadvertising #vintagefashions #vintage

06/14/2019

Happy Friday! Who’s ready for the weekend?
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#1940sfashion #1940s #vintagelifestyle #vintagelife #vintageclothing #1940sclothing #ww2 #wwii #usww2 #ww2soldier #usmilitary #vintagephotography

06/13/2019

Fantastic ad from Sears! Do you have your outfits planned yet for our dance and day event?
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#1940sfashion #1940s #vintagelifestyle #vintagemenswear #vintagecar #vintagelife #sears #vintagesears #vintageclothing #spiritof45bayarea #1940sclothing #1940scatalog #1940sadvertising

06/12/2019

Special spirit of 45 Banner made and design in the US features nearly 2,500 photos of sailors and soldiers killed in the invasion of Normandy campaign. Robert Corpus

06/11/2019

A must watch.
An impromptu performance by Barbs Smith from Ohio. Robert Corpus found himself at the right place and time to capture this moment at 635am on Omaha Beach on June 6th , 2019

06/11/2019

Spirit of ‘45 director, Robert Corpus, sent in these photos he captured while in Normandy for the 75 Anniversary of the DDay landings.
These photos and video were taken on June 6th at 6:30am on Omaha Beach in the small village of Vierville sur Mer.

This section of beach was assigned to the 29th division, 116th infantry regiment. Company A was almost completely annihilated

The 5th Rangers Battalion landed to the right of this sector.

Losses were the most server on the Omaha sector, thus earning the name Bloody Omaha.

For more pics follow Robert.

06/09/2019

To honor and remember.
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#WW2 #dday #ddlandings #wwii #worldwar2 #ww2history #normandie #normandy #ddayhistory #dday1944aniversary #worldhistory #history #dday75 #dday75thanniversary
#ww2event #ww2reenactors

06/06/2019

156,000 Allied troops were involved in the landings of five beaches across Normandy on June 6, 1944. Today we remember those who fought 75 years ago to change the course of WWII.

The bootprints of 749 troops have been laid out on Slapton Sands, Devon, to mark the 75th anniversary of Exercise Tiger in April of 1944.

Created by Martin Barraud
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#WW2 #dday #ddlandings #wwii #worldwar2 #ww2history #normandie #normandy #ddayhistory #dday1944aniversary #worldhistory #history #1940s

06/06/2019

06/05/2019

A weather delay -
General Dwight Eisenhower selected June 5, 1944, as the date for the invasion; however, bad weather on the days leading up to the operation caused it to be delayed for 24 hours. On the morning of June 5, after his meteorologist predicted improved conditions for the following day, Eisenhower gave the go-ahead for Operation Overlord. He told the troops: “You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you.”
Later that day, more than 5,000 ships and landing craft carrying troops and supplies left England for the trip across the Channel to France, while more than 11,000 aircraft were mobilized to provide air cover and support for the invasion.

https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day
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#WW2 #dday #ddlandings #wwii #worldwar2 #ww2history #normandie #normandy #ddayhistory #dday1944aniversary #worldhistory #history #june51944

06/04/2019

U.S. troops are towed into Utah beach, with a squad of medical trucks in the background making their approach. Allied infantry and armoured divisions began landing on the coast of France at 6.30am. The target 50-mile stretch of the Normandy coast was divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5806967/Allied-troops-storm-beaches-D-Day-invasion-brought-life-colour.html

Photo colored by Royston Leonard
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#WW2 #dday #ddlandings #wwii #worldwar2 #ww2history #normandie #normandy #ddayhistory #dday1944aniversary #worldhistory #history #usww2 #ww2soldier #dday75

06/01/2019

Hello June! 💋

Artwork by Vargas

05/29/2019

Some of the amazing 1940s cars and more at our main day event celebrating the end of WW2, Aug 10, 2019!
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#1940s #1940scar #vintagecar #spiritof45bayarea #bayarea #bayareaevents #sanjose #reenactment #1940sevent #classiccars #1940sstyle #1940svintage

05/27/2019

Today’s is the US most sacred holiday. A day set to remember all those who lost their lives serving the country.

Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day.

The picture bellow was most likely taken in North Africa , Italy or France. The soldiers are looking for fallen comrades at a temporary cemetery.

05/27/2019

Honoring our those who lost their lives this Memorial Day weekend and keeping their memory alive. Thank you for your service!
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#1940 #usahistory #ww2 #memorialdayweekend #ww2history #spiritof45bayarea #wwii #ww2reenactment #1940s @ San Jose, California

05/16/2019

May 15 is National Nylon Stocking Day!

Chemical company DuPont’s introduction of nylon in 1939 began a high demand for stockings in the United States. As nylon stockings were inexpensive, durable and shear, up to 4 million pairs would be purchased each day.

On February 11, 1942, as America entered World War II, DuPont ceased production of nylon stockings and switching their focus to the manufacture of parachutes, airplane cords and rope. This created a mass shortage followed by a black market for stockings. At the end of World War II, DuPont resumed production of the stockings but could not meet the demand leading to nylon riots in American stores. In time, DuPont was able to increase its output.

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-nylon-stocking-day-may-15/

05/09/2019

America in WWII magazine

V-E DAY—NYC GOES CRAZY! New Yorkers pack Times Square to celebrate Victory in Europe—in front of a scale model of the Statue of Liberty erected to drum up war bond sales—on May 8, 1945, 74 years ago today. NATIONAL ARCHIVES

Get a copy of our May/June 2005 premiere issue, featuring an article on V-E Day! Order it at https://bit.ly/1kL1AyE

05/07/2019

For information and tickets: www.bit.ly/rov68swing

04/28/2019

Waiting for the shot on the trolley

04/28/2019

Explaining the shot

04/28/2019

Waiting for direction

04/28/2019

Racing the sun for the best picture at our photo shoot for the 2019 Spirit of ‘45 poster

04/25/2019

Freshen up last years fashions with some low-cost changes or new accessories. Make that ho-hum dress or suit sparkle with new life. These ladies will give you some new ideas on how they gave an old frock a new look!

04/18/2019

More fashion guidelines for men for the photo shoot and for the Spirit of 45 event itself: There are those of you out there who just cannot stand the notion of wearing a tie. Especially on a nice, warm summer day. We have the answer for you in a very California style of dress. In these photos I am wearing a casual shirt in a light-weight wool knit. ("Wool??!!" you say. "On a summer day!!?? I'm gonna die!!" No you won't. Wool knits are very breathable and cool. Athletic clothes were largely made of wool for many years until synthetics came along that had the same breathability and moisture wicking properties.) These types of casual shirts were a Hollywood thing and people thought of them as California-style. The label in this shirt and jacket both evoke their California origins. The shirts had broad collars and a button loop rather than button hole for the top button.

The jacket is a "loafer" jacket. I guess they were called that because if you wore one during the day you probably didn't have a job! They had a broad collar, usually four buttons and four pockets. This one is, I believe, rayon or a rayon-blend. Others were made with panels of solid color alternating with panels of plaid or tweed wool. You can, of course, also wear with a dress shirt and tie.

The hat in the first and last pictures is a Panama, the traditional gentlemen's hat for warm weather. You can also top this with a traditional fur-felt fedora or a flat cap.

04/15/2019

This pie-eating contest picture is from Kansas in 1939 but it is a good example of summer casual clothing for men and boys throughout the 40s. My guess would be that its a Saturday afternoon because Sunday was usually a dressier day. Overalls or dungarees (the 40s term for jeans) on most of the kids. The men may or not have ties on but nearly everyone is wearing a hat. Probably a rural/farming community.

04/14/2019

If you wear glasses, there is no easier way to ruin a carefully put-together vintage look than to top it off with modern glasses. Find original frames (as shown here), or modern frames with a retro look.

04/14/2019

Men, when you are considering what civilian duds to wear for our photo shoot later this month and, especially, for the event in August, think about a summer-weight suit. Nowadays we think of suits only for formal events or maybe for work but in the 40s they were everyday, year-round wear for many men. A light colored suit in a light fabric, topped with a straw boater hat, is perfect for a summer day in 1945. And the ladies will definitely notice you!

04/14/2019

Women's Rationed Fashion: The British Government imposed regulations in March of 1941, limiting the amount of materials and features such as pleats, buttons, embellishments, etc. for use in a garment’s production.

Labels were marked with a CC41 (Civilian Clothing 1941)

In America, the War Production Board specified restrictions for every item of women’s clothing by issuing its Regulation L85 in March 1942.

Some key characteristics:
- Narrow A-line skirt
- Simple and clean lines
- Hemline just below the knee
- limited amount of buttons
- Solid color with some contrasting trim
- Match with a hat and brown shoes

04/10/2019

For the month of April we are going to be sharing some interesting ads and photos of 1940s fashion.

Here is an example of mens suits of the early 1940s.

These suits are commonly and mistakenly refereed to as gangster suits or zuit suits. They are just suits. Even the thugs back then dressed nice.

Some key characteristics:
-Three piece suit with vest (wool)
-Jacket: Wide lapels, double breast
-Trousers:Wide legged. Single or double pleats. Cuffs. Long zipper
-Pocket square
-Spear color shirt
-Tie clips
-Cap toe or wing tip shoes

Notice the absence of a hat outdoors!

04/10/2019

Attention vintage fashionistas!

We are looking for individuals to be part of our annual photoshoot for the Spirit of `45 event flyer in August. Each year we recreate a scene from August 1945--celebrating the end of the War.

We are looking for people who have and can wear
a Class A WWII Uniform, and or 1940s civilian clothing from head to toe. This also includes being properly groomed for the time period.

Women's look book: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bLDa89En6uOHcFkHTpf0iyAN1N5vo2lA/view?usp=sharing

Men's look book:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1kr7kSb3kOXTbBA6QFT5MKUCKnN8IF822

Space is limited, 20 people needed.

This is a volunteer event. Lunch will be provided.
Everyone will be photographed in a series of scenes, but everyone may not appear in the final flyer.

When: Sunday April 28th 11am-1pm
Where: History San Jose

Please fill out this contact form: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1upEF4nMZmNtWVaKoaiV0Hc3hH-P_25qhmZ0prju0C6Y

OR email us at spiritof45bayarea[AT]gmail[DOT]com

03/29/2019

We are still searching for an enclosed trailer for our dog-tag machine. If you know of a free or super cheap trailer please let us know

Hello friends! Spirit of ’45 Bay Area needs your help.
DO YOU KNOW OF AN ENCLOSED TRAILER THAT WE COULD BE GIVEN OR PURCHASE SUPER CHEAP?

So45 needs an enclosed trailer to store our dog-tag machine and for transporting it to different venues. We make dog-tags to earn money for the restoration of our 1942 GMC cargo truck.

Our dream trailer would be/have the following:
Enclosed
7’ tall (so we could work on the dog-tag machine standing up)
5’ – 6’ wide
10’ long
SINGLE AXLE
Rear ramp door
Side door
4 D hooks/tiedowns
Spring suspension
Fenders

Pleas DM us if you have a lead on an enclosed trailer! THANKS!

03/06/2019

Hello friends! Spirit of ’45 Bay Area needs your help.
DO YOU KNOW OF AN ENCLOSED TRAILER THAT WE COULD BE GIVEN OR PURCHASE SUPER CHEAP?

So45 needs an enclosed trailer to store our dog-tag machine and for transporting it to different venues. We make dog-tags to earn money for the restoration of our 1942 GMC cargo truck.

Our dream trailer would be/have the following:
Enclosed
7’ tall (so we could work on the dog-tag machine standing up)
5’ – 6’ wide
10’ long
SINGLE AXLE
Rear ramp door
Side door
4 D hooks/tiedowns
Spring suspension
Fenders

Pleas DM us if you have a lead on an enclosed trailer! THANKS!

11/22/2018

Happy Thanksgiving.

'Happy Thanksgiving from the front.'

Sgt Louis S.Wallace, from Meadville, Miss., prepares two of the many thousands of turkeys on a M1937 Field Range that have arrived from the states.

The M-1937 served as the Army’s primary field stove from the beginning of World War II until the end of the Vietnam War. Each RANGE was equipped with a gasoline-powered fire UNIT(or "burner"), 10- and 15-gallon stockpots, a heavy aluminum roasting and baking pan (one deep, one shallow), a cradle, and a set of knives and utensils.The following description from, Lawrence P. Belmont of the 225th, who used to use them in the ETO.

"The M-1937 Field Gas Range could cook and bake anything. They were about three feet tall and about 15 inches wide; they had compartments with rails where you could put the burner if you wanted to grill items. It had a square roasting pan with a cover — you would use the cover for a grill and put the gas range right below it. If you were cooking potatoes or making coffee, it had 10- and 15-gallon stock pots and you would put the gas burner on the bottom. Before this very versatile and portable stove, the Army had wooden and coal stoves that they used to use on troop trains. The M-1937 was so easy to move and set up. It had handles on each side and two guys could move them easily since they didn't weigh much when they didn't have the pots in them. You could put them any place: in the back of trucks or in searchlight trailers. In Normandy I had mine in a wooden lean-to shed that my buddy Sgt. Kravarik help me make. I had two stoves set up there and used to make hotcakes every morning. I can still smell them! The biggest problem was that after cleaning them you were very dirty because the gas would clog up the pipes on them. The other thing was that they were prone to blowing up! They had a round disc on the top of the burner and you had to use graphite to seal it, so you'd get really dirty cleaning them. But the guy that invented it was sure a smart person. In the German Army, the cooks had a 30-gallon tub and they made a fire in the bottom."

Colourised by Paul Reynolds.
https://www.facebook.com/PhotoColourisation
Historic Military Photo Colourisations)

11/14/2018

Photos from Spirit of '45 Bay Area's post

11/13/2018

Photos from Spirit of '45 Bay Area's post

11/13/2018

2018 Spirit of '45 Bay Area at Honor on the Row, Santana Row. Sunday, November 11, 2018.