Every single tank, truck, jeep, tire or spare part that was produced in the Detroit area during the war came through Fort Wayne. In addition, a railroad spur had been built by the river front , docks for large ships and over 2,000 (mostly civilian women) workers were employed. It was a mighty busy place in the American war effort.
Drivers of the Red Ball Express were also trained there.
In addition, Italian prisoners from North Africa were interned there and used as servants, cooks and janitors. After Italy's surrender, they were given the opportunity to return to their country, but many chose to remain and settled in Detroit.
To see the whole history of Fort Wayne (as well as two other Detroit forts) from the 1840s to the present, go to my Not So Forgotten: War of 1812 blog for February.
--GreGen
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