Life during WW2 on the Homefront

San Diego

She was just starting a piano recital when she heard that Pearl Harbor was bombed. It was quite a shock.

Calleta was about 23 when WWII began. Her brother served in the Navy and was stationed in San Diego. He never went to war. The other brother served in the Army; he guarded prisoners in Iran. She was just starting a piano recital when she heard that Pearl Harbor was bombed. It was quite a shock.

Her mother was very worried about the brother serving in the Army. They knew he was on a ship and many of the ships were being sunk. They finally got a letter from him written in a code that the family made up which told them where he was. They were very grateful that he was not fighting.

During the war, families were given little books of ration stamps. They could only buy what was allowed. When they heard that a particular item would be on sale in a certain store, everyone ran there to get it. They could not drive their car much because gas was bought with ration stamps.

Caletta’s husband worked in war industries and did not come home for days at a time. Cots were set up in the buildings and the workers slept there.

Caletta and her family lived about 2 blocks away from the Army hospital that treated people with mental problems. When any of the patients escaped, a siren was sounded and all the children ran into the houses and hid. They also lived near the Douglas Airplane factory and the government came and painted all the houses in camouflage so that they wouldn’t be bombed. They had blackout curtains. Not a bit of light could show through after dark.

To learn more check out this book about the Homefront during World War II. Or shop through our Amazon affiliate to support The Frontlines. Thank you!

 

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