On January 3, 1940, 1,800 troops stationed at Fort Lewis boarded the "U.S.S. Republic". They were being shipped to California to take part in the largest army-navy "war game" ever held in the United States. Six troop ships carried thousands of soldiers and marines and their field artillery for a lighting sea attack on the Monterey peninsula. The navy was responsible for teaching to troops how to load, lower away, row and land a fleet of small boats through the California breakers. (T. Times 1/3/1940 p.1 & 1/4/1940 p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Troop movements--1940-1950;

Loading of troops and departure of U.S. Army transport "Republic" for California. View of side of ship departing from Tacoma. (T. Times)

World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Troop movements--1940-1950;

Loading of troops and departure of U.S. Army trasport "Republic" for California. About 200 soldiers wait in line on dock to enter wooden plank walkway into ship. (T. Times)

World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Troop movements--1940-1950;

Loading of troops and departure of U.S. Army transport "Republic" for California. About 200 soldiers crowd to the ship's railing to wave goodbye. (T. Times)

World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Troop movements--1940-1950;

On June 20, 1940, soldiers crowd around the desk at the USO Center in the Rust Building. They are patiently waiting to sign up for beds. As soldiers on weekend leave from Fort Lewis during the war years poured into Tacoma; area churches, the mission and local homeowners set up makeshift dormitories to make sure they were not having to spend the night on the street.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Mr. and Mrs. George Hellyer open their home in Interlaaken to their English friend's children for the duration of the European War. Pictured standing in the rear are Mr. and Mrs. George Hellyer flanking their friend Mrs. Robert Schlee. The children are, center row left to right, Nicholas Schlee and Marian Hellyer; bottom row left to right, Sandy Schlee and Harold Hellyer. Hundreds of English children had been sent to the U.S. to escape the German bombing of their own country. These boys are the first to come to Tacoma. They are also some of the last to leave England as the English government has forbidden future sailings of English children. Mrs. Schlee will return home to England. (T. Times 10/26/1940, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; Hellyer, George--Family; Schlee, Robert--Family;

Four children play joyously on the swings, however two of these children are seeking refuge in the United States from the German bombing of England. English schoolboys Nicholas and Sandy Schlee arrived October 24, 1940 with their mother from England. Their mother will return home but the boys will remain at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Hellyer for the duration of the war. Pictured, left to right, are Marian Hellyer (8), Sandy Schlee (9), Harold Hellyer (seated, 6) and Nicholas Schlee (10). The boys are thrilled to be in Tacoma, not for the reasons that you think, but because they hear that the fishing is great! The excited anglers will attend Park Lodge school. They are the first, and probably the last, refugee children to arrive in Tacoma. The English government had recently forbidden all sailings of children. (T. Times 10/26/1940, pg.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; Hellyer, Marian; Schlee, Sandy; Hellyer, Harold; Schlee, Nicholas;

Only two of these four children running in carefree abandon in October of 1940 are U.S. citizens. The two boys on the right are English, refugees from the German bombing of their home in England. The four children are (l to r) Harold and Marian Hellyer and Sandy and Nicholas Schlee. The Schlee boys were guests at the Hellyer home in Interlaaken for the duration of the European conflict. They are just two of the hundreds of children who fled England, but they were the first to come to Tacoma. Their home in England was near a Vickers airplane factory. Their family was forced to sleep in the basement to protect themselves from nighttime bombing. While in Tacoma, the boys attended Park Lodge School and enjoyed some northwest fishing. (T. Times 10/26/1940, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; Hellyer, Marian; Schlee, Sandy; Hellyer, Harold; Schlee, Nicholas;

Mrs. Robert Schlee, right, a native of London, England, poses with Mrs. George Hellyer of Interlaaken at the home of the Hellyers. Mrs. Schlee has accompanied her two youngest sons to the Hellyer home. The boys will remain at the Hellyer home during the duration of the European war. The Schlee home in England is near a Vickers airplane factory and frequently is the target of bombs. The family sleeps in the cellar. The boys are the end of a wave of English children who have sought refuge in the US and the first to come to Tacoma. They will also probably be the last, as the English government has forbidden future sailings of refugee children. (T. Times 10/26/1940, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma;

ca. 1941. Army corporal sitting with young woman who is wearing a dress, his hat, and is saluting him, accompanied by a big smile. Neither was identified in this circa 1941 photograph, probably taken in Tacoma.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Military personnel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Saluting--Tacoma;

Mrs. Anna Eicholz, left, shades her eyes, watching for a response to the message sent by her signal flags. The woman in the center appears to be grading the member of the Women's Emergency Motor Corps, while the woman on the right looks for a response through her binoculars. Signalling, technically called semaphoring, was only one of the skills being taught to the female volunteers by their Army sergeant trainer. The women were part of the Home Defense Corps, ready to serve in case of an emergency. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Women's Emergency Motor Corps holds a training session at the Woodbrook Hunt Club. Capt. Iris Bryan, left, and Lt. Minnie Wingfield hold a serious discussion over first aid to be offered to a "patient." After the founder of the group, "Colonel" Harriet Virginia was charged with Grand Larceny, members elected Iris Bryan Captain of the unit. She continued to guide the 30 female members, overseeing their training and making them an auxiliary to the Home Defense Corps, ready to serve in an emergency. The group studied emergency transportation, first aid, Morse code, semaphore, motor mechanics, map reading and portable communications. (T.Times 5/6/1941, pg. 1) (photo copy donated by Faye Langston)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma); Bryan, Iris; Wingfield, Minnie;

On April 29, 1941, the 30 members of the Women's Emergency Motor Corps practiced their first aid skills in a series of drills at the Woodbrook Hunt Club. Pictured, left to right, lifting "patient" Anna Eicholz are Elsie Heritage, Peggy Swenson, Lt. Minnie Winfield, Ruth Showman, Capt. Iris Bryan and Minnie Groeper. After a rocky start when the founder "Colonel" Harriet Virginia was charged with Grand Larceny, for taking money for substandard or undelivered uniforms, the group was hard at work training under the direction of an Army Sergeant. They drilled on Wednesday evenings and held First aid classes in Moose Hall on Thursdays. (T. Times 5/6/1941 p.1) Faye Langston Collection

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

After field dressing the wounds of the "patient" during drills, the members of the Women's Emergency Motor Corps load her into the back of a station wagon for transport. The Motor Corps was a branch of the Tacoma Home Defense Corps. They were available in case of an emergency to provide first aid, drive, or assist in communication. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

Five of the thirty women who were members of the Women's Emergency Motor Corps practice their first aid skills in this photograph from April 1941. Members of the corps studied emergency transportation, first aid, international Morse code, semaphore, and motor mechanics. A special aspect of their first aid training was the treatment of injury caused by chemical and gas warfare and the use of gas masks. (T. Times 5/6/1941 p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

Three members of the Tacoma Home Defense Corps take a break from drills at Woodbrook. The woman in the center is believed to be Minnie Wingfield.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

Five women offer first aid assistance to a "patient" with an injured leg during practice drills for the Women's Emergency Motor Corps at the Woodbrook Hunt Club.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

In April of 1941, the 30 members of the Women's Emergency Motor Corps were taking part in drills held at the Woodbrook Hunt Club grounds. In this photograph, they are practicing field first aid, rendering medical attention and constructing a rough dray for transport. The group had gotten off to a rocky start when their founder Harriet Virginia was charged with Grand Larceny. The group decided that there was a need for a female branch of the Home Defense Corps and they elected Iris Bryan to guide the group. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

In April of 1941, members of the Women's Emergency Motor Corps practice First Aid on the grounds of the Woodbrook Hunt Club. Pictured, left to right, are Martha Corliss, Elsie Heritage, Helen Glans, Lt. Gertrude Stevens, Helen Corbin, Sgt. Margory Hannum and patient Minnie Groeper. The 30 members of the group also studied emergency transportation, Morse code, semaphore, motor mechanics, map reading and emergency communication. They were training to offer aid as needed in an emergency. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 1) (photo copy courtesy of the collection of Faye Langston)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

The Women's Emergency Motor Corps drills at Woodbrook. After an inauspicious beginning with a bogus group, the National Service League Motor Corps for Women, Tacoma's unit split from the parent organization and became part of the Home Defense Corps. The local group, under the leadership of Capt. Iris Bryan, was called out for field maneuvers at Woodbrook Hunt Club. The exercises would cover motor transportation, ambulance driving, First aid and semaphore. (T. Times 4/5/1941, pg. 4)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

Members of the Tacoma Home Defense Corps take a break and enjoy some coffee. Pictured, left to right, are Sgt. Claire Janacek, Capt. Iris Bryan, Florence Madsen, Lt. Helen Glans, Helen Corbin and Peggy Swenson. Photograph was taken on April 29, 1941. TPL-3852.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma); Janacek, Claire; Bryan, Iris; Madsen, Florence; Glans, Helen; Corbin, Helen; Swenson, Peggy;

On May 19, 1941, Fort Lewis troops have set up a field kitchen to feed the soldiers as they caravan from the Fort to California. They are travelling to the Hunter Liggett Reservation, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, for war games. The first overnight stop was at Vancouver Barracks. Over 36,000 troops in all from the Fort are involved in the movement. 23,000 are travelling by road over two routes, a trip involving six days travel. 13,000 are travelling on 25 trains, each comprised of 14-17 cars, plus 53 freight cars of equipment, 10 flat cars and 11 stock cars carrying horses and mules. (T. Times 5/14/1941, pg 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Troop movements--1940-1950;

On May 19, 1941, 23,000 soldiers from Fort Lewis began a six day trip from Tacoma to California to participate in a large "war games" exercise. The members of the 161st Infantry erected a pup tent city at Vancouver Barracks, their first stop on the trip. A total of 36,000 troops from Tacoma were involved in the move, the equivalent of moving a complete small city. 23,000 soldiers travelled by caravan on two routes, departing on May 19-23, 1941. The remaining 13,000 officers and men travelled on 25 trains. The soldiers travelling on the roads took six days to reach their destination, travelling in the morning only and camping afternoon through evening. The war games lasted six weeks. (T. Times 5/14/1941, pg.1; 5/19/41, pg. 1; 5/20/41, pg. 1- photo)

World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Troop movements--1940-1950;

Fort Lewis soldiers eating at a field kitchen that they have set up at Vancouver Barracks, first stop on their route from Fort Lewis to California. Beginning on May 19, 1941, and continuing through May 23rd, a caravan of 23,000 officers and men in 4,000 motor vehicles travelled in 2 separate caravans on 2 routes to participate in war games at the Hunter Liggett Reservation between San Francisco and Los Angeles. One group travelled on US Hwy 97 and the other on US 99. They travelled only from 5am to 12 noon, setting up camp the remainder of the day and freeing up the roads for civilian travel. (T. Times 5/14/1941, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Troop movements--1940-1950;

Beginning on May 19, 1941, 23,000 soldiers from Fort Lewis began the trek by motor vehicle from the Fort to California for war games. They travelled in 2 caravans by 2 separate routes, one group on US highway 97 and one on US 99. The trip would take six days with the caravans travelling from 5 am til 12 noon and then camping for the remainder of the day. The shortened travel day was to free up the roads for non-military travelers. Another 13,000 troops would be making the trek by train. (T. Times 5/14/1941, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Troop movements--1940-1950;

An unidentified soldier uses a mirror and a razor to shave during an overnight bivouac enroute from Fort Lewis to California. Over 36,000 troops were being transported to participate in war games. The 23,000 travelling by motor vehicles would take six days to arrive, beginning travel at 5 a.m. each day and stopping at 12 noon to set up camp. The reduced travelling hours were designed so as not to disrupt motor travel completely in Washington and Oregon. (T. Times 5/14/1941)

World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Troop movements--1940-1950;

On May 19, 1941, unidentified soldiers try to fill the time before supper with a game of cards as they caravan from Fort Lewis to California to participate in war games. 23,000 officers and men travelled in 4,000 motorized vehicles over two routes, clogging the highways as they travelled. They would drive only from 5a.m. to 12 noon, leaving the roads to civilians in the afternoons and evenings. It would take the troops six days to reach the war games site, setting up camp each night in between. (T. Times 5/14/1941, pg. 1; 5/20/41, pg. 1-photo)

World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Troop movements--1940-1950;

In May of 1941, 36,000 troops deserted Fort Lewis for California to participate in war games. 23,000 of them travelled on two routes, US 97 and US 99, by caravan. The caravans were made up of 4,000 motor vehicles. The photographer rode with the first truck convoy of the 41st Division on the initial leg on the trip to west central California. The first group that day totalled 4500 men and the second 2500. They stretched out in a line of trucks 60-70 miles long. They travelled from 5 a.m. to 12 noon, glutting the highways, and then made camp until the following morning. (T. Times 5/14/1941, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Troop movements--1940-1950;

Unidentified soldiers says goodbye to two female friends as they prepare to take part in a military convoy. In mid May of 1941, 36,000 Fort Lewis troops set out for California to participate in war games. The logistics were the equivalent of moving a small city. 23,000 men and officers travelled in 4,000 motor vehicles of all sizes, from big 6 wheelers to jeeps. There would be two separate caravans on 2 routes, US Hwy 97 and US 99. Departures would begin May 19 and continue through the 23. The remaining troops would travel on 25 trains. The war games would be held on the Hunter Liggett Reservation, about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, near Fort Ord. (T. Times 5/14/1941, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Troop movements--1940-1950;

On July 23, 1941, Boy Scouts from Troop 42 (Larchmont) and Sea Scouts from the SSS Rainbow (McKinley Hill) debate how much muscle power is needed to heave the 50 lb. aluminum door into the collection enclosure. The high wire fence behind the boys, located in the 900 block of Broadway, was the central collection site for donations. The mountain of used aluminum would be donated to the national committee to be melted down and used to build airplanes. The door was a relic of an old submarine, scavenged from the scrap heap at the Bremerton Navy yard for use at Camp Hohobas on Hood Canal. Sea Scouts (in no particular order) Bud Christiansen, Arne Skaugset and Roy Ernsbarger helped toss the door over the wire. Music Box Theater in the background. (T. Times 7/25/1941, pg. 3)

World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives; Boy Scouts of America, Troop 42 (Tacoma); Sea Scouts (Tacoma); Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Aluminum;