DeKalb's "Secret Airplane"-- Part 4: "History Detectives" To Air Segment About It

When the project was completed.  there was a special ceremony held at the Egyptian Theatre in downtown DeKalb, Illinois,  where the workers were presented with the Army-Navy "E" for Excellence Award.  This was a major award given to special industries that had done an especially good job.

Roger Keys also said the TDR-1 drone built in DeKalb would be  the subject of a future episode of PBS' "History Detectives," tentatively scheduled to air July 17, 2011.

When he was making a presentation on the project in the fall at  the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport, someone in the audience had said he had found  a wooden propeller many years ago on a grass airstrip near Virgil, Illinois.  The man still had it and wanted to know if it might possibly have belonged to a drone.

The man later contacted the "History Detectives" producers  and they took an interest in researching the mystery.  Keys assisted them with photos and other material he has in his collection.

He would be interested in finding any person who worked at the plant or others interested in the plane so he can organize a special showing of the the episode in DeKalb.

I Never Knew About This Drone Before This.  --GreGen

Birth Certificates Becoming An Issue in DeKalb County in 1942

From the October 4, 2017, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Since the outbreak of the war there has been a great demand for birth certificates and some of the older residents are finding it a bit difficult in locating them.  Records were not kept as well as they are now years ago and many difficult situations have come up in regards to obtaining a certificate.

"All those working in defense industries are required to have a birth certificate and in many cases they are needed also.  Several people are at the city clerk's office each day obtaining the certificates, and since some of the plants in DeKalb are in war work the demand has increased."


Making Sure German Citizens Aren't Working In the War Industries.  --GreGen

Honoring Those Serving At DeKalb Business

From the November 29, 2017, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"In the recreation room of the Ideal Commutator and Dresser Company on the south side of DeKalb hangs a large service flag containing a star for every man who has entered the service.  Also in the same room will be found a large plaque on which the name of every man in the service will be placed.

"The plaque and flag will ever call attention to other employees of the plant that many of their friends who were working alongside of them, now are fighting alongside others -- for them!!"

The actual name is the Ideal Commutator Dresser Company and the headquarters today are in Sycamore, Illinois.

Backing Those Serving.  --GreGen

DeKalb Library Closes On Sundays Because of Fuel Rationing

From the November 19, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"The Haish Memorial Library (DeKalb) which has been open each Sunday afternoon for reading purposes in the past will be closed on Sundays in the future.

"The closing is made necessary due to the situation created by the fuel rationing."

No Reading For You!!  --GreGen

A Sycamore Store Closes Because of the War Shortages

From the November 22, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Because of the shortage of machines, and the inability to obtain repair parts, the Sycamore Implement Company will close its store here, which has been a aprt of the business section since 1937.

"All stock of the Sycamore store will be taken to DeKalb for the business there."

The War Was Really Good for Business...But Not Always.  --GreGen

That Problem With Sugar in Restaurants

From the May 24, 2017, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"By the use of individual servings of sugar in damp proof containers, restaurant owners of DeKalb believe they have solved the problem of how to the meet sugar rationing orders recently issued.

"Most of the leading eating places here have adopted this means, while there are some who inquire of the customer as to the amount of sugar he desires for his coffee or cereal.  In nearly all cases, the plan is meeting with approval by the patrons."

They reached a new decision by October 1942.  See my November 11 post.

Want Some Sugar for That Coffee?  --GreGen

Singer Sewing Machine Co. Loans Used Machine to Red Cross

From March 22, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"The Singer Sewing Machine Co. of DeKalb has loaned the Clare Red Cross ladies, for the duration, a used sewing machine for which the ladies are grateful."

Sewing for Victory  --GreGen

DeKalb's Housing Shortages

From the March 16, 2017 MidWeek "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Efforts to secure government approval to the designation of DeKalb as a defense area, in order that the lack of homes may be declared an emergency, did not meet with much success for the DeKalb committee which went to Chicago."

Unfortunately, DeKalb, Illinois, wasn't the only U.S. town to experience housing shortages.

--GreGen

German Air Raid on DeKalb?

From the March 16, 2017, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago

"Because practically all planes have been grounded and because the airport in Waterman has been closed, much mystery envelopes an episode which occurred Saturday night.

"A plane was hear flying over DeKalb three times during the night."

Wonder What That Was All About?  --GreGen

The Navy Needs Your Binoculars in 1942

From the August 2, 2017, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  'Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Although nearly 2,000 binoculars meeting requirements have been received by the Navy Department since the first appeal was made the need for these important instruments is desperate.

"Mayor Hugh J. Hakata of DeKalb received a letter from the Navy Department recently asking that he again [bring] the great need of the binoculars to the attention of the public."

All the Better to See You, My Dear.  --GreGen

Incendiary Bombs Sent to DeKalb in 1942

From the May 17, 2017, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

Incendiary bombs have been received in DeKalb to be used in demonstrations in the various classes of training in the Civilian Defense Council work.

"It is expected that there will be a demonstration for the auxiliary policemen this evening, if the weather permits and there will also be one for the air wardens on Friday night."

Big Boom, Big Fire.  --GreGen

More War Industry in DeKalb, Illinois

From the March 8, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"A portion of the building, long known as the "red shop" when occupied by the  American Steel Company in DeKalb is to have a new defense industry.

"The assembly of tank tracks is to take place there, a project under the direction of the Northern Illinois Finance Corporation headed by T.E. Courtney.  Space in the building, in the year of that used by the Fourth Street Motors, will be used."

--GreGen

Garments For War Relief Made in DeKalb

From the March 8, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Employees of the Joseph Brody Garment Company, located in the Clark Building in DeKalb, worked all day Saturday for the Red Cross.

"Employees of the firm, members of Local 189 of the International Lady Garment Workers Union, produced garments that will be used directly for war relief."

I imagine they were donating their time.

--GreGen

DeKalb County World War II Deaths-- Part 2: Did the Lund Boys Come Home?

Back on May 1, I wrote about a family in DeKalb, Illinois, who had three sons either in the service or about to enter it back in February 1942.  there was also a fourth son who was a year away from going in, and no doubt would have.

They were the Samuel Lund family.

I went to Geneaology Trails and found a list of the DeKalb County men who had died in World War II.  It was a long list.

There was no one by the last name Lund listed.

So, they must have all come home.

No Saving Private Ryan Here.  --GreGen

Looking Back to 1942: Bicycles Becoming Very Popular

From the March 8, 2017, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Bicycles have come into their own again in DeKalb.  The bicycle is again becoming a common medium of transportation, harking back to the days 30 or so years ago, when the bicycle was the favorite means of getting to and from work and to and from school.

"At the DeKalb plant of the California Packing Company a dozen or more of the office staff and others now employed are using bicycles and several have placed orders for bicycles."

Impact of Gas Rationing and Lack of Tires.  --GreGen

Making Model Planes for the War Effort at DeKalb High School

From the February 15, 2017, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Students of the DeKalb Township High School, working under the general direction of Edward Lindgren, member of the faculty, head of the Industrial Arts Department, have set up an organization and started actual construction work on 100 model airplanes that have been requested by the government.

"The models will be taken to training centers of the nation's armed forces and because they are in exact scale they will prove valuable in being used for identification of various types of planes."

You've Got To Know Friend From Foe.  --GreGen

Red Cross Sewing Center in DeKalb

From the February 15, 2017, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"The Red Cross sewing center located in the Ellwood School in DeKalb will be open on Thursday afternoon only.

"The sewing center located on the second floor of the Chronicle building is open every afternoon."

Sewing for the Boys.  --GreGen

Making Model Airplanes At the High School for the War Effort

From the March 1, 2017, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Students of the DeKalb Township High School will start immediate production on model airplanes for the use of the army and navy.  The production of the model planes, at least a hundred of them, will be rushed in conforming to the needs of the nation's armed forces.

"These planes are to be exact models of the planes used by the United States, Germany, Japan and Italy, and will be used by the U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics in training air and ground personnel."

You Need to Know What They Look Like.  --GreGen

Looking Back to the War: Persons Taking Advantage of the Situation

From the March 1, 2017, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Housewives were today warned not to make any purchases of toilet articles from persons who announce they represent the Red Cross and intimate that profits from the sale of the article will go to the Red cross.

"There have been two imposters working in DeKalb."

Bad-Hearted People.  --GreGen

Sewing Sweaters for the Soldiers

From the March 1, 2017, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Announcement was made by the office of the DeKalb Chapter of the American Red Cross this morning that it had received a new supply of khaki colored yarn.  This yarn is to be used in the knitting of v-neck, sleeveless type of sweaters being worn by soldiers.

"The yarn will be available at the sewing center located on the second floor of the Chronicle building and will be given out to those who will come to the center for the material."

--GreGen