Friday, December 9, 2022

Entering The War Crucible

 This propaganda poster of the time circulated among French-Canadians evoked the story of Madeleine de Vercheres, a heroine of the days of New France, encouraging women to follow her example and join the war effort.


This poster really speaks for itself.


War bonds helped finance the war on the home front.


Rationing wasn't as strict in Canada as elsewhere, but it became a part of life at home. This display case features some grocery items of the time, as well as ration books. I'd be in real trouble trying to keep to that sugar ration.


Canadian soldiers had gone overseas starting in 1939, where they were garrisoned in Britain, waiting and training for their first chance at combat.


It would come on a dark day in August 1942 at Dieppe, France, where an invasion by mostly Canadian soldiers ended in failure. While it's considered a catastrophe, there were examples of extraordinary bravery throughout. The hard lessons learned at Dieppe would become absolutely critical less than two years later on D-Day.


Canadian pilots and flight crews serving in the air showed their own bravery in combat. This included Andrew Mynarski, who died of burns after trying to save a comrade in their burning Lancaster. He would win the Victoria Cross for his courage. A portion of the fuselage is seen in the background.


Mounted above, one of the great icons of the war: the Spitfire.

38 comments:

  1. The posters do tell a story about the people and lives in these times

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  2. Interesting with the food rationing.
    When you here see all those overly chubby kids, throwing away fast-food they suddenly are sick of cause they go for ice cream... a shame.

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  3. The lack of food I remember well, milk was only for children in limited quantities. It lasted long till the 50th.

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  4. Hello,
    Interesting exhibit. It would be hard rationing food, life during the war times was not easy! Take care, enjoy your day and happy weekend!!

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  5. The Spitfires have featured prominently in many war movies. Quite the machines! Quite the pilots!

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  6. ...propaganda is an important part of war.

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  7. The posters pulled no punches at all.

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  8. The cartoon with Hitler in the nutcracker must have been very influential.

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  9. Life for the people was very hard back then as it is now for the Ukrainians.

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  10. Quite the propaganda ~ always part of each generation ~ great photos ~

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  11. So many of the war posters were so clever.

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  12. Sadly war seems to be a part of each generation. Excellent photos.

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  13. The posters were interesting, a different way to get people to join the forces.

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  14. This looks like a fascinating museum, William - particularly for those who have no idea about the World Wars. I think what I would find especially interesting is the different perspective; we're not always very good at seeing that.

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  15. I remember rationing in this country, for enough time post war for there to be an impression on me. Butter: I remember my grandmother beating yellow coloring into white margarine. Books: I remember my mother's melt down when a book of coupons fell from her purse and was lost.

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  16. The posters are often beautiful and effective.
    I still think the Spitfire is a beautiful fighter plane.

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  17. It's fascinating! I would like to learn more of Madeleine de Vercheres. Thanks William!

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