Sources
.
Below I have listed reference material about
the WAAC/WAC that might be useful for all who want to get more information.
Many of these sources I have used for the background information presented
on this website. This list is not meant to be a complete arrangement. I'm
still searching for more and I would be very happy about everyone who can
recommend further interesting material.
.
.
Official Sources
.
    
.
This is
our war ... Join the WAAC
(LX 93-RPB-2-26-43-500M)
Facts you want to know about the WAC (LB-X-10-RPB-12-31-43-500M)
73 questions and answers about the WAC (LB-X-22-RPB-12-31-43-500M)
.In
the Army the choice is yours! (LX-136-RPB-3-15-44-250M)
.Good
soldiers ... the WAC (LB-X-60-RPB-11-30-44-50M) |
.. |
Many different
recruiting brochures were distributed to encourage women to join the WAAC/WAC
during WWII. On the left is only a small list of them.
These official brochures give much information
about purposes of WAAC/WAC, requirements for joining etc.
The Women
Veterans Historical Collection
represents the content of some recruitment
brochures online |
| . |
. |
. |
 Our
Wounded Need Care, LX-167-RPB-
1-27-45-100M |
. |
This recruitment brochure
encourages young women to join a hospital corps. It describes the necessity
of more trained technicians capable of assisting Army medical officers
and Army nurses in medical and surgical wards. |
| . |
|
|
 WAC
Application Form, F-X-1-RPB-
8-16-43-100M |
|
This application form from 1943
contains all the data an applicant had to fill out for enlistment. Such
forms were often sent in an envelope to interested women accompanied by
an encouraging personal letter of a WAC recruiting officer. |
| . |
|
|
 A
Wardrobe for the Women of the Army by Erna Risch, Q.M.C. Historical
Studies No. 12, 1945. |
. |
Detailed
description of the development of all WWII uniform garments of Army Nurses,
WAACs/WACs, WASP, Army Hostesses and Librarians. |
| . |
|
|
 The
Story of the WAC in the ETO issued by the Orientation Branch, Information
and Education Division, Hq. USFET, 1945. |
. |
Detailed
record of the vital services performed by the Women's Army Corps in the
European Theater. |
| . |
|
|
 Women's
Army Song Book, War Department, 1 August 1944 |
|
Includes patriotic
songs, service songs, WAC songs and parodies, popular favorites and songs
of the United Nations. Especially interesting for WAC reenactors.
*
Some songs from this book
are presented under "Facts about the WACs" on this homepage. |
| . |
|
|
 W.A.C.
Field Manual Pysical Training, War Department, 15 July 1943 |
|
Members of the WAC
had to be fit. This books gives the instructions for all the excercises
that should the WAC help to reach this goal. Includes practical hints on
unarmed self-defense. |
| . |
|
|
| Army Regulations No. 600-37 Personnel,
Prescribed Service Uniform - Women Personnel of the Army, April 1945 |
. |
The Army
Regulations list and describe authorized uniform items and insignia, explain
their prescribed wearing, and contain some illustrative drawings. |
| . |
|
|
| Army Service Forces Quartermaster Supply
Catalog, 3-2, List of Items for Troop Issue: WACs' and Nurses' clothing
and equipment |
|
The Quartermaster Supply
catalogs include many items that were issued to the WAC with pictures,
stock-numbers and short descriptions. A most important reference material
for WAC uniform collectors.
Parts of two catalogs are presented
online here:
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/hayleymo/
myhomepage/collection.html |
|
|
|
.
Articles, Magazines, Books
.
 Ladies
in Uniform
by Margaret Sprague,
Acwell Press (1943) |
. |
A complete
guide to the women's services in the Armed Forces of the United States
(WAC, WAFS, Waves, Marines Reserve, Spars). Detailed information about
their purposes, recruiting requirements, payment, uniforms etc. with the
intention to encourage more women to become ladies in uniform. |
| . |
|
|
 Overseas
Woman, May 1945, Vol.1,No.2,
monthly publication of the Information and Education
Division ETOUSA. |
. |
Magazine
for women who serve overseas. Information about occupied countries, Allied
women's organizations, experience reports, several female topics (like
French fashion, marriage, ...). Insights into lives and matters of interest
for women who were stationed overseas. |
| . |
|
|
 American
Women in Uniform
by Mary Steel Ross,
Garden City Publishing Co.,Inc. (1943) |
. |
Description
of several women's wartime organizations (for example Red Cross, AWHRC,
AWVS, AER, USO, and many more) especially their uniforms and insignia |
| . |
|
|
 Yes,
Ma'am. The Personal Papers of a WAAC Private by Auxiliary Elizabeth
R. Pollock (1943) |
|
This book publishes
the letters WAAC Private Pollock wrote her family at home. She was one
of the first to enlist in July 1942 after the foundation of the WAAC. Most
vivid and authentic inside story about the daily life of a WAAC. |
| . |
|
|
 Dress
Right, Dress. The Story of the Wacs by Margaret Flint, Dodd, Mead &
Company (1943) |
|
This autobiography
of a WAC shows two posts besides Des Moines, with Wacs actually "in the
field". It describes several kinds of special training, and the customs
and traditions which have developed in one year within the Corps. |
| . |
|
|
 The
Youngest WAAC
by Bernadine Bailey (1943) |
. |
Book within
a novel series for girls about a young WAAC. It describes her adventurous
way through basic training up to earning a rank as officer. Written with
the cooperation and assistance of several WAAC officers of different ranges.
The second volume is named "The Youngest WAAC
overseas". |
| . |
|
|
 Norma
Kent of the WACS by Roy J. Snell, Whitman Publishing Company (1943) |
|
Book of the "Fighters
For Freedom Series" for girls. It tells the fictional story of WAC Norma
Kent who experiences adventures with spies and an enemy invasion while
she works as Intercepter Controller at the coast of New England. |
| . |
|
|
 Winnie
the WAC
by Cpl. Vic Herman (1945) |
. |
"Winnie
the WAC" cartoons were published weekly in Camp newspapers (later compiled
in this book). They give humorous insight view into different parts of
WAC life such as basic training, on the job and off the job, promotion,
men, overseas duty, and furlough. They play with male prejudices and fears
and honor the contributions of the WAC during WWII in their own way. |
| . |
. |
|
 WAC
postcards by Beals, Des Moines, Iowa |
. |
Set of 30 postcards
with various humorous WAC motifs.
Some with Anti-Hitler propaganda demonstrating
that the German dictator should fear the new American power of women, and
others poking fun at special problems of female Army life. |
| . |
|
|
 The
Officer's Guide by the Military Service Publishing Company (1943) |
|
The Officer's Guide
contains all kind of information useful for Army Officers including uniforms
and equipment, military courtesy, leadership etc. A special part is dedicated
to the WAC. |
.
Movies
.
 Four
Jills in a Jeep
directed by William A. Seiter, Black & White (1944)
Type: Musical / Romance / W |
|
Reenactments
of actual USO experiences of its 4 female stars entertaining troops overseas.
Staring Kay Francis, Carole Landis, Martha Raye, Mitzi Mayfair ... Among
others the 4 entertainment stars meet WAC members in England and provide
help in a hospital within North Africa. |
| . |
|
|
Keep Your Powder Dry
directed by Edward Buzzell, Black & White (1945)
Type: Drama / War |
|
A group
of women from different backgrounds try to adjust to their new lives after
enlisting in the Womens Army Corps.
Lana Turner looks superb in her new issued
tropical worsted summer uniform and off-duty dress.
A 1945 review points out:
"Details are accurate, as far as rules and uniforms go .... It is unfortunate
that the whole plot centers about frictions between the two main characters
because it gives a rather distorted view of women's ability to get along
with each other." |
| . |
|
|
(Postwar movies)
. |
|
|
 I
was a Male War Bride directed by Howard Hawks, Black & White (1949)
Type: Satire / Romance |
|
On a mission
in occupied Germany shortly after end of war, a French army captain falls
in love with an American WAC lieutenant while on a joint assignment. They
have many funny adventures until they are able to marry. The French captain
has to go to America as a "male war bride" when his wife is ordered home.
Great comedy with a fantastic Mr. Grant. Nice
examples of ETO typical WAC clothing. |
| . |
|
|
 Never
Wave at a WAC
directed by: Norman Z. McLeod, Black & White (1952)
Type: Comedy / War |
|
A divorced
socialite decides to join the Army because she wants to be near her boyfriend
who is a colonel. She soon encounters many difficulties with the Army lifestyle.
Parts of it were filmed on location at the Women's Army Corps training
center at Fort Lee, Virginia. |
| . |
|
|
 The
WAC from Walla Walla directed by: William Witney, Black &
White (1952)
Type: Comedy / Musical |
|
A small-town
girl inadvertently joins the WAC. She decides to turn her life around and
make the best of the situation. The movie is quite crazy and surely not
everyone's taste. Additionally, not very interesting regarding WAC postwar
uniform attire. |
| . |
|
|
 Francis
joins the Wacs
directed by Arthur Lubin, Black & White (1954) Type:
Comedy / Fantasy |
|
Because of a clerical
error Lieutenant Peter Stirling is sent to a female unit. There he
mets his old friend Francis, a talking mule, again. Both help the WAC to
win a camouflage exercise against male soldiers. Nice examples of postwar
WAC uniforms. Not as bad as a story with a talking mule might be expected. |
.
.
.
History Books
.
 U.S.
Army Uniforms of World War II by Shelby L. Stanton, Stackpole books,
ISBN 0-8117-2595-2 (1991). |
|
Although
the book mainly describes male uniforms of the Army it contains a very
good section on women's uniforms. Especially to note are the rare period
black and white photos of women's field attire.
Recommended are also the two following books
by Shelby L. Stanton about "U.S. Army uniforms of the Cold War"
and "U.S. Army uniforms of the Korean War" representing postwar
WAC uniforms. |
| . |
|
|
The Women's Army Corps by
Mattie E. Treadwell, CMH Pub 11-8 (1954). |
|
Most detailed
book about WAAC and WAC history. Entertainingly written by Mattie E. Treadwell
who served with the WAAC and WAC herself.
Online Publication can be found
under:
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/wwii/Wac/ |
| . |
|
|
 The
Women’s Army Corps 1945-1978
by Bettie J. Morden, Center of Military
History United States Army, (1990). |
|
Good introductory
chapter on development of the WAAC/WAC in WWII. Also contains an appendix
about WAC uniforms with color pictures. Unfortunately, there are slight
mistakes and inaccuracies in this special appendix chapter.
Online publication can be found
under:
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/wac/ |
| . |
|
|
The Women's Army Corps:
A Commemoration of World War II Service by Judith A. Bellafaire,
CMH Publication 72-15 |
|
Great informative
overview about WAAC/WAC history during WWII.
Online Publication can be found
under:
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/brochures/wac/wac.htm |
| . |
|
|
 Creating
GI Jane. Sexuality and Power in the Women's Army Corps during WWII
by Leisa D. Meyer, Columbia University Press, ISBN 0-231-10144-9 (1996) |
|
Excellent study about
the problems of the Women's Army Corps regarding the sexuality and race
of its female personnel serving in a male and white dominated surrounding. |
| . |
|
|
 In
Defense of a Nation - Servicewomen in World War II by Major General
Jeanne M. Holm, USAF
(Ret.), Vandamere Press, ISBN 0-918339-43-X (1998) |
|
This book contains
excellent overviews of several WWII women's organization (like WAVES, SPARS,
WAC, ANC, NNC, WASP, Women Marines) illustrated with nice black and white
photographs. |
| . |
|
|
 Dressed
for Duty. America's Women in Uniform 1898-1973 (Volume Two) by Jill
Halcomb Smith, R. James Bender Publishing, ISBN 0-912138-85-8 (2004) |
|
The two volumes about
women's organizations of the last century cover all military branches and
especially give interesting details about several mostly forgotten civilian
organizations.
It contains many original photographs and
some color pictures of uniform items.
The chapter about the WAC is in
Volume 2. |
| . |
|
|
 Wacs:
Women's Army Corps by Vera S. Williams, ISBN-13: 978-0760301395 (1997) |
|
This book written by Vera S. Williams
about the WACs includes stories, anecdotes, some photographs, excerpts
from scrapbooks, etc. |
| . |
|
|
 World
War II Allied Women’s Services
by Martin Brayley, Osprey Publishing,
ISBN 1-84176-053-06 (2001). |
|
Very short
overview about allied women's services of WWII (from the USA: WAAC/WAC,
WAVES, Marines Reserve, Spars). In addition to black and white photos it
contains colored drawings of different uniforms. |
.
Memoirs
.
 Battle
of the WAC by Carol Hossner Bessey, Morris Publishing, ISBN 0-9670579-0-6
(1999) |
.. |
Unlike the
enhanced descriptions of the fictional WWII youth books, this biography
decribes the problems members of the WAAC/WAC had to face. Interesting
and vivid individual insight view of a former member of the corps. |
| . |
|
|
 One
Woman's Army: A Black Officer Remembers the WAC by Charity Adams Earley,
ISBN 9780890966945 (1989) |
|
A Black officer remembers
her experiences in the Women's Army Corps during WWII. Earley was the first
black officer commissioned in the WAAC. Later she commanded as major the
6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion in Europe, the only unit of black
women to serve overseas during WWII. |
| . |
|
|
 A
Woman's War in the South Pacific. Lady G.I. The Memoir of Irene Brion
by Irene Brion, Presidio Press, ISBN 0-89141-633-1 (1997) |
|
The book describes
the experiences of Irene Brion in the WAAC and WAC. Relying on letters,
scrap book items, photos and memories of her and her fellow WACs she gives
an especially interesting insight view in the life of a WAC who was assigned
to the South Pacific during the war. The book contains many great b&w
pictures. |
| . |
|
|
 In
the Company of WACs by Elna Hilliard Grahn, Sunflower University Press
(1993) |
|
Elna Hilliard Grahn
served in the WAC/WAAC from 1942-1946 and became a Major. The book contains
her recollections and observation of life in the military. Contains several
b&w pictures. |
| . |
|
|
 One
Woman's War. Letters Home from the Women's Army Corps - 1944-1946 by
Anne Bosanko Green, MHS Press, ISBN 0-87351-286-3 (1989) |
|
The Book contains the
letters which Anne sent back to her parents back in Minnesota weekly while
serving in the WAC. Interesting insight in her daily life covering for
example her homesickness, army procedures, travel, off-duty experiences,
family bonds, etc. |
| . |
|
|
 Dear
Sergeant Honey by Ceil Stetson, www.bbotw.com, ISBN: 0-7414-4745-2
(2008) |
|
Leaving her home, family,
job, friends, and a fiancée, she joined the Women’s Auxiliary Army
Corps in World War II. This is her story in her words. Book excerpts can
be read here:
http://www.dearsergeanthoney.com |
| . |
|
|
 AN OFFICER
AND A LADY: The World War II Letters of Lt. Col. Betty Bandel, Women's
Army Corps. Edited by Sylvia J. Bugbee, ISBN-13: 978-1584653776
(2004) |
|
From 1942 to 1945, Lt. Col. Betty
Bandel served in the WAAC later WAC, eventually heading the WAC Division
of the Army Air Force. During these years she wrote hundreds of letters
to family and friends. Her letters are rich with detail about the WAC's
contribution to the war effort and the inner workings of the first large,
non-nurse contingent of American military women. |
.
.
.
.
 Free
a Man to Fight! Women Soldiers of Word War II by Mindy Pomper &
RYS Productions (1999) |
. |
Great video that features
rare archival footage interwoven with intimate interviews of women who
served in the military during WWII. It includes several interviews with
former members of the WAC.
Unfortuntaley, the documentary contains a
few mistakes. More information about these inaccuracies can be found here |
| . |
. |
. |
 Women
At War - from the home front to the front lines by 'V for Victory',
Atlas Video Inc. (1991) |
|
This documentary
consists mainly of original newsreel stories to detail the vital contributions
made by women during World War II, going from the factories to the battlefields.
Covers WAC, Army Nurses, WAVES, Marines, Navy Nurses, Cadet Nurses, etc. |
.
.
.
.
U.S. Army Women's
Museum
|
|
US Army
Women's Museum - Fort Lee, Virginia. Detailed section about WAAC/WAC uniforms
with high quality b&w photos. |
| . |
|
|
Wisconsin Department
of Veteran Affairs
|
|
Cyber Exhibit "This
is my war too!"Women in the Military The Women’s Army Corps. The website
presents a very good historical overview and color pictures of uniforms |
| . |
|
|
Women
Veterans Historical Collection
|
|
The Women
Veterans Historical Collection documents the female experience in the Armed
Forces through letters, papers, photographs, published materials, uniforms,
medals and oral histories. Impressive and most informative website! |
| . |
|
|
WWII
Living History
Militaria/Research
-Women's
Services Collection-
|
|
Excellent British website about
WAAC/WAC, ANC, Red Cross, WADCA. Good information about historical background
and uniforms. The site presents parts of two Quartermaster Catalogs
for female Army personnel online. Pictures of living history events and
WWII event dates in England. |
| . |
. |
|
|
Hardscrabblefarm
|
|
World War II living history &
reenacting information with great reference material about WAC (for example,
placement of Insignia, WAC clothing issue,WAC personal items) and other
very useful hints about how to salute or how to tie a Regular, Windsor,
and Bow Tie. |
| . |
|
|
Casque & Rouge-A-Levres
|
|
Excellent French homepage
that contains many information about the history and uniforms of the WAC
and ANC (and ANC flight nurses). |
| . |
|
|
Dear Sergeant Honey
|
|
This site is dedicated to the men and women
of the Greatest Generation especially the WACs of the 9th Air Force who
served in the ETO during World War II. The mother of the webmaster was
one of those WACs and her story will be unfolding on these pages. |
. |
