A Recipe from the Book: Army Cooks

Army Cooks TM 10-405, a photo by Detroit Arsenal of Democracy Museum on Flickr.

49. Beef, braised (pot roast)

55 pounds of beef, fresh (from less tender cut)
8 pounds of onions, chopped
1 pint of vinegar
Salt and Pepper to taste

Cut the beef into pieces weighing about 5 pounds each. Wipe with a damp cloth. Sear until well browned on all sides. Season. Place in a large dutch over or camp kettle or any covered utensil. A heavy utensil is best. Add the chopped onions and vinegar. If the meat is well covered with fat, basting is not necessary. If the beef is lacking in fat, it is a good practice to lard with strips of fat or place a layer of fat on top. About 2 pounds of fat pork or bacon are required for this. This added fat improves the flavor, melts and bastes the meat. Cook covered, in a slow over (200* to 250* F.) or on top of stove until tender. This weill require 2 to 5 hours, depending on tenderness of beef used. The beef should be turned three or four times while cooking. When done, remove from utensil and slice. The pot roast may be served in either of two ways: Make a thick gravy in the utensil in which the beef was roasted and pour this gravy over the sliced beef on platters, or make a gravy of the desired thickness and serve separately.

April 28th, 1944

Operation Tiger, a full scale exercise/rehearsal of the D-Day landings off of Lyme Bay, England. 2 LST's were sunk while 2 more were damaged when German E-Boats opened fire on the convoy. 749 men were killed, 4 times as many lives lost then at Utah Beach on June 6th.
Photo Courtesy of Exercise Tiger

From the Book: Short Guide to Great Britain

Short Guide to Great Britain, a photo by Detroit Arsenal of Democracy Museum on Flickr.

Introduction
"YOU are going to Great Britain as part of an Allied offensive-to meet Hitler and beat him on his own ground. For the time being you will be Britain's guest. The purpose of this guide is to start getting you acquainted with the British, their country, and their ways. America and Britain are allies. Hitler knows that they are both powerful countries, tough and resourceful. He knows that they, with the other United Nations, mean his crushing defeat in the end.
So it is only common sense to understand that the first and major duty Hitler has give his propaganda chiefs is to separate Britain and America and spread distrust between them. if he can do that, his chance of winning might return."

April 27th, 1944

 In the run-up to D-Day, British authorities ban all travel outside the country in an effort to put a stop to intelligence leaks about the invasion.

Photo Courtesy of Monuments Men

April 26th, 1945

The Red Army assault on Berlin begins. Hitler is in the city, having decided to stay in his capital. He issues orders to non-existent armies to come to the city's relief. By the 27th German Forces in Berlin have been restricted to an area 10mi long by 3mi wide.

Photo Courtesy of WW2 Forums

From the book "Army Life"

Army Life, a photo by Detroit Arsenal of Democracy Museum on Flickr.

Chapter 1 - It's a new life

You Have a Place in this Army

"You are now a soldier, helping America to defend herself against aggression. The world's future now depends in part upon you. Probably you have conditioned your mind to self-sacrifice. Yet - at this moment - you may feel merely lost. You know that you are sharing common experiences with millions of other men, many of them much like yourself; yet - right now - your impressions of the soldier's life and work are probably confused.

This is natural. meeting your Army face-to-face is an experience full of surprises and nervous strains. You are not only confused; you are curious. You know that all these things have happened before - but they haven't happened to YOU before! You find yourself accepting advice and information - from those who know and those who don't."

April 25th, 1942

US Troops land on the Free French colony of New Caledonia. The island's capital, Noumea, becomes a major US naval base

Photo Courtesy of Pacific War Cruise

April 24th, 1942

Germany bombs Exeter at the start of an air campaign against historic towns and cities, following the British attack on Lubeck. Hitler has ordered raids against every English city featured in the famous Baedeker tourist books.

Photo Courtesy of Heritage Explorer