They kept everything.

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My Grandparents kept everything, and it all ended up in my lap. This collection of stuff ranged from the cool (WWII V-Mail from my Uncle Frank) to the "you've got to be kidding me" (receipts from a trip taken in the 50s). I've weeded out a lot of the nonsense and kept the more interesting (at least what was interesting to me). In turn I decided to create this site to not only post some items, but also as a research exercise. Most items are from Chicago and Detroit, but of course family trips expanded their reach of hoarding. I hope you enjoy this very random collection. Frank Kownacki

theme by Robin Wragg

 

This map came down to me from Uncle John Zabowski’s daughter Gail.  He was in the Merchant Marines during WWII so maybe that is how this map came into his hands.  The map was made by the Union Pacific, printed in 1943, gives a complete list of military bases on back, and doesn’t have any sort of Government stamp or secret level listed.  It’s a bit worn and you can see the tape running across the middle.  Though overall it is in decent shape.

My one question is “Why did they make this?”  Now I know that these bases weren’t by any means Top Secret.  Yet still it does seem a bit reckless to put them all on one map, along with major roads and rail lines.  Yes, the war was pretty much on the other side of the globe, but you have to remember that German subs were found off the Eastern Seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico.  On the other side of the country there were anti-aircraft guns up and down the coast.  So really, was it worth making a map with everything in one nice package?  

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  1. familyephemera posted this
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