MICHIGAN HISTORY

Home front Detroit: The Arsenal of Democracy during World War II

Interior fittings, plumbing and wiring were added to Liberator B24 bombers at a twin assembly line at the Ford Motor Company's Willow Run plant on Feb. 24, 1943. Detroit's role in the war, when the auto factories turned out tanks and warplanes, earned it a place in history as the Arsenal of Democracy.
Interior fittings, plumbing and wiring were added to Liberator B24 bombers at a twin assembly line at the Ford Motor Company's Willow Run plant on Feb. 24, 1943. Detroit's role in the war, when the auto factories turned out tanks and warplanes, earned it a place in history as the Arsenal of Democracy.
The Detroit News Archives
Detroit's automobile plants, retooled for the war effort, built everything from tanks to bombs to guns. In just the first 18 months after Pearl Harbor, 350,000 people came to Detroit to work in defense plants. Automakers and their suppliers produced $30 billion worth of military equipment from  1942 to 1945. This image was taken a Chrysler Motor Car Company tank plant in April 1941.
Detroit's automobile plants, retooled for the war effort, built everything from tanks to bombs to guns. In just the first 18 months after Pearl Harbor, 350,000 people came to Detroit to work in defense plants. Automakers and their suppliers produced $30 billion worth of military equipment from 1942 to 1945. This image was taken a Chrysler Motor Car Company tank plant in April 1941.
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Mary Herrando and Grace Small rivet into the side a bomber at Willow Run bomber plant on January 30, 1943. Legions of "Rosie the Riveters"  worked at the Detroit plants during WWII.
Mary Herrando and Grace Small rivet into the side a bomber at Willow Run bomber plant on January 30, 1943. Legions of "Rosie the Riveters" worked at the Detroit plants during WWII.
The Detroit News Archives
Women, such as machinist Janet Kinsman of Detroit, shown here March 11, 1943, became an important part of the Willow Run work force. The war office sped up the hiring of women by ordering Ford to hire 12,000 at Willow Run. By October 1943, there were 140,000 women in the defense industry. Willow Run hired 117 in one week. They received the same wage rates as men, from 95 cents to $1.60 an hour.
Women, such as machinist Janet Kinsman of Detroit, shown here March 11, 1943, became an important part of the Willow Run work force. The war office sped up the hiring of women by ordering Ford to hire 12,000 at Willow Run. By October 1943, there were 140,000 women in the defense industry. Willow Run hired 117 in one week. They received the same wage rates as men, from 95 cents to $1.60 an hour.
The Detroit News Archives
The washroom at Willow Run's West Lodge offered facilities for washing and ironing clothes. The women came from varied backgrounds: They were teachers, waitresses, housewives. They worked on the line doing riveting, light assembly or as inspectors or trainers.
The washroom at Willow Run's West Lodge offered facilities for washing and ironing clothes. The women came from varied backgrounds: They were teachers, waitresses, housewives. They worked on the line doing riveting, light assembly or as inspectors or trainers.
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A full crew of cooks prepared meals for the cafeteria at the Ford Motor Company Willow Run Bomber plant on January 15, 1943.
A full crew of cooks prepared meals for the cafeteria at the Ford Motor Company Willow Run Bomber plant on January 15, 1943.
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A hangar at Willow Run was turned into a barracks for Army personnel brought in to fly out the newly built bombers. Off-duty soldiers can be seen sprawled on some of the 1,300 cots.
A hangar at Willow Run was turned into a barracks for Army personnel brought in to fly out the newly built bombers. Off-duty soldiers can be seen sprawled on some of the 1,300 cots.
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Ford Motor National Defense housing  at the Willow Run Plant during the winter of 1943. Many employees were housed at Willow Run in huge government-built temporary dormitory-style housing for 14,000 workers. Others lived in tents, garages and trailers. There were angry calls for more permanent housing.
Ford Motor National Defense housing at the Willow Run Plant during the winter of 1943. Many employees were housed at Willow Run in huge government-built temporary dormitory-style housing for 14,000 workers. Others lived in tents, garages and trailers. There were angry calls for more permanent housing.
The Detroit News Archives
Ford Motor National Defense housing at the Willow Run Plant during the winter of 1943.
Ford Motor National Defense housing at the Willow Run Plant during the winter of 1943.
The Detroit News Archives
Ford Motor national defense housing at the Willow Run plant is seen Aug. 24, 1943. Frederick A. Delano, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's uncle, was put in charge of organizing homes for the expected 100,000 workers at Willow Run.
Ford Motor national defense housing at the Willow Run plant is seen Aug. 24, 1943. Frederick A. Delano, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's uncle, was put in charge of organizing homes for the expected 100,000 workers at Willow Run.
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A  1944 view of the Willow Run Lodge Dormitories. In the left background are the theatre, the cafeteria and community center. Willow Lodge was a dormitory for single workers four miles from the plant, built to hold 3,000 workers. Rooms were $5.00 per week. An initial experiment to house the sexes together, with men and women on alternating floors, was quickly ended after "gamblers and fast girls quickly moved in," according to a Detroit News report.
A 1944 view of the Willow Run Lodge Dormitories. In the left background are the theatre, the cafeteria and community center. Willow Lodge was a dormitory for single workers four miles from the plant, built to hold 3,000 workers. Rooms were $5.00 per week. An initial experiment to house the sexes together, with men and women on alternating floors, was quickly ended after "gamblers and fast girls quickly moved in," according to a Detroit News report.
The Detroit News Archives
The first B24 Liberator bomber rolled off the assembly line on Oct. 1, 1942. Parts of the unfinished factory are visible behind the plane.
The first B24 Liberator bomber rolled off the assembly line on Oct. 1, 1942. Parts of the unfinished factory are visible behind the plane.
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M.L. Bricker puts the finishing touch on the 8,000th bomber to come of the assembly line at the Ford Motor Company, March 20, 1945.
M.L. Bricker puts the finishing touch on the 8,000th bomber to come of the assembly line at the Ford Motor Company, March 20, 1945.
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The last B24 Liberator Bomber rolled off the line June 25, 1945.
The last B24 Liberator Bomber rolled off the line June 25, 1945.
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The last bomber rolled off the line June 25, 1945. The plane was to be christened "The Henry Ford," but Ford asked that his name be taken off and the plane be named after the workers who had built it. Here it's being autographed by the last remaining workers at Willow Run.
The last bomber rolled off the line June 25, 1945. The plane was to be christened "The Henry Ford," but Ford asked that his name be taken off and the plane be named after the workers who had built it. Here it's being autographed by the last remaining workers at Willow Run.
The Detroit News Archives
Sylvia Pevin operates a crane at her place of employment on East Hancock in Detroit on Nov. 3, 1942. Many men were off to war, and women picked up jobs where workers were in short supply.
Sylvia Pevin operates a crane at her place of employment on East Hancock in Detroit on Nov. 3, 1942. Many men were off to war, and women picked up jobs where workers were in short supply.
The Detroit News Archives
Annie Wells, dressed in clothes suitable for welding work, has her face shield ready to be pulled into position as she demonstrates the first stage of welding in an industrial clinic program to educate female students in general machine shop war work Dec. 17, 1942. Women entered the work force in huge numbers during the war.
Annie Wells, dressed in clothes suitable for welding work, has her face shield ready to be pulled into position as she demonstrates the first stage of welding in an industrial clinic program to educate female students in general machine shop war work Dec. 17, 1942. Women entered the work force in huge numbers during the war.
The Detroit News Archives
These Word War II tanks were assembled at the Chrysler tank arsenal in then rural Warren and would soon become a part of General George Patton's own "blitzkrieg". The bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, threw the U.S. into the war, spurring a huge increase in aircraft production, as well as tanks and military vehicles. The government banned civilian auto production. By June of 1942, 66 percent of Detroit's machine tools were being used for military goods.
These Word War II tanks were assembled at the Chrysler tank arsenal in then rural Warren and would soon become a part of General George Patton's own "blitzkrieg". The bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, threw the U.S. into the war, spurring a huge increase in aircraft production, as well as tanks and military vehicles. The government banned civilian auto production. By June of 1942, 66 percent of Detroit's machine tools were being used for military goods.
The Detroit News Archives
The Ford Motor Company produced treads for tank destroyers  at the Highland Park Plant in 1942.
The Ford Motor Company produced treads for tank destroyers at the Highland Park Plant in 1942.
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Students work on tanks at the Chrysler Tank Arsenal in Warren,  January  1943.
Students work on tanks at the Chrysler Tank Arsenal in Warren, January 1943.
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Tigers rookie Hal Newhouser and retired great Charlie Gehringer meet in the locker room at Briggs Stadium on Aug. 27, 1941. Newhouser had intended to join the service to fight for his country during World War II and was to take his oath on the Briggs Stadium mound before a game. However, a heart murmur was detected during his physical, so he remained with the Tigers.
Tigers rookie Hal Newhouser and retired great Charlie Gehringer meet in the locker room at Briggs Stadium on Aug. 27, 1941. Newhouser had intended to join the service to fight for his country during World War II and was to take his oath on the Briggs Stadium mound before a game. However, a heart murmur was detected during his physical, so he remained with the Tigers.
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Georgette Rinaldi registers Jane Jacob and Bert Neidig for civilian defense during the fall of 1941.
Georgette Rinaldi registers Jane Jacob and Bert Neidig for civilian defense during the fall of 1941.
The Detroit News Archives
The salvage and recycling effort increased during World War II. Here, tin cans by the thousands are hauled to a salvage company in Detroit.
The salvage and recycling effort increased during World War II. Here, tin cans by the thousands are hauled to a salvage company in Detroit.
The Detroit News Archives
Collected automobiles hang in a yard at the B.J. Pollard Cinder and Coal Company in Detroit in October 1942 during World War II. Mr. Pollard was deciding whether he would junk them for scrap.
Collected automobiles hang in a yard at the B.J. Pollard Cinder and Coal Company in Detroit in October 1942 during World War II. Mr. Pollard was deciding whether he would junk them for scrap.
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Ned's Auto Supply piles scrap rubber at the Clay plant of the Standard Oil Company on July 14, 1942.
Ned's Auto Supply piles scrap rubber at the Clay plant of the Standard Oil Company on July 14, 1942.
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John L. Rancu, an employee at the gas station on Woodward Avenue at Stimson, collects and hangs rubber products to be recycled for the salvage effort during World War II on July 30, 1942.
John L. Rancu, an employee at the gas station on Woodward Avenue at Stimson, collects and hangs rubber products to be recycled for the salvage effort during World War II on July 30, 1942.
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Students from the Andrew Jackson School in Detroit pile up their salvage efforts for clothing, rubber, iron and paper for the war effort in May 1942.
Students from the Andrew Jackson School in Detroit pile up their salvage efforts for clothing, rubber, iron and paper for the war effort in May 1942.
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St. Clair schoolchildren collected scrap to beat Adolf Hitler during the World War II salvage effort in October 1942.
St. Clair schoolchildren collected scrap to beat Adolf Hitler during the World War II salvage effort in October 1942.
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Wilbert C. Garred, assistant custodian of the Federal Building in Detroit, inspects old metal padlocks to be turned in for scrap during the war effort Oct. 6, 1942.
Wilbert C. Garred, assistant custodian of the Federal Building in Detroit, inspects old metal padlocks to be turned in for scrap during the war effort Oct. 6, 1942.
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During January 1944 a group of young men; Detroit's salvage effort continued throughout the war. Here, James Braill, John Dresbach, Tom Dresbacha and John Brazill collect paper to recycle in December 1944.
During January 1944 a group of young men; Detroit's salvage effort continued throughout the war. Here, James Braill, John Dresbach, Tom Dresbacha and John Brazill collect paper to recycle in December 1944.
The Detroit News Archives
The Truman committee, investigated all phases of the national war effort, visited Detroit on April 13, 1942 to inspect the Ford bomber plant. Left to right are Sen. Ralph O. Brewster, Maine; Sen. Harold H. Burton,  Ohio; Sen. Harry S. Truman, Missouri, chairman; Sen.Joseph H. Ball, Minnesota; Sen. Mon C. Wallgren,  Washington; Hugh A. Fulton, general committee counsel, Paul Brown, son of Sen. Prentiss M. Brown, Michigan; Sen. Brown; Sen. James M. Mead, N.Y. and Sen. Harley M. Kilgore, W.Va.
The Truman committee, investigated all phases of the national war effort, visited Detroit on April 13, 1942 to inspect the Ford bomber plant. Left to right are Sen. Ralph O. Brewster, Maine; Sen. Harold H. Burton, Ohio; Sen. Harry S. Truman, Missouri, chairman; Sen.Joseph H. Ball, Minnesota; Sen. Mon C. Wallgren, Washington; Hugh A. Fulton, general committee counsel, Paul Brown, son of Sen. Prentiss M. Brown, Michigan; Sen. Brown; Sen. James M. Mead, N.Y. and Sen. Harley M. Kilgore, W.Va.
The Detroit News Archives
Ruth Markovich and Anna Plagens were  drivers for the U.S. Army in November 1942. The women checked the oil on their Jeep and did their own minor repairs while on convoy.
Ruth Markovich and Anna Plagens were drivers for the U.S. Army in November 1942. The women checked the oil on their Jeep and did their own minor repairs while on convoy.
The Detroit News Archives
Women Army ordinance workers driving Federal war trucks in Michigan, August  1942.
Women Army ordinance workers driving Federal war trucks in Michigan, August 1942.
The Detroit News Archives
Four women stand beneath the Plexiglas bonnets in the tail of the Martin B-26 Marauder bomber fuselage sections built in a Detroit plant of the Hudson Motor Car Company in December 1944.
Four women stand beneath the Plexiglas bonnets in the tail of the Martin B-26 Marauder bomber fuselage sections built in a Detroit plant of the Hudson Motor Car Company in December 1944.
The Detroit News Archives
Stella Gleason holds a Detroit News paper with the headline "Exclusive!! Full Surrender" celebrating VE (Victory in Europe) day in May 1945. May 8, 1945 marked the surrender of Germany and an end to fighting in Europe; the war in the Pacific would continue until August.
Stella Gleason holds a Detroit News paper with the headline "Exclusive!! Full Surrender" celebrating VE (Victory in Europe) day in May 1945. May 8, 1945 marked the surrender of Germany and an end to fighting in Europe; the war in the Pacific would continue until August.
The Detroit News Archives
A crowd of high school students parades on Woodward to celebrate the end of the war in Europe in May 1945.
A crowd of high school students parades on Woodward to celebrate the end of the war in Europe in May 1945.
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Paper burns on Woodward in front of Grinnell's Music store at Grand River after the celebrations for VE Day on May 8, 1945.
Paper burns on Woodward in front of Grinnell's Music store at Grand River after the celebrations for VE Day on May 8, 1945.
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Detroit crowds celebrate Japan's surrender in August 1945.
Detroit crowds celebrate Japan's surrender in August 1945.
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A joyous Detroit crowd celebrates VJ Day Aug. 14, 1945, marking the surrender of Japan and the end of World War II.
A joyous Detroit crowd celebrates VJ Day Aug. 14, 1945, marking the surrender of Japan and the end of World War II.
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Crowds celebrate VJ Day in front of City Hall on Aug. 14, 1945.
Crowds celebrate VJ Day in front of City Hall on Aug. 14, 1945.
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Detroiters celebrate the Japanese surrender.
Detroiters celebrate the Japanese surrender.
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Teenagers celebrate the end of the war and the victory over Japan with an early car cruise.
Teenagers celebrate the end of the war and the victory over Japan with an early car cruise.
The Detroit News Archives
American veterans of World War II march in downtown Detroit on June 5, 1946. Labor leader Walter Reuther, head of the United Auto Workers, said, "Like England's battles were won on the playing fields of Eton, America's were won on the assembly lines of Detroit."
American veterans of World War II march in downtown Detroit on June 5, 1946. Labor leader Walter Reuther, head of the United Auto Workers, said, "Like England's battles were won on the playing fields of Eton, America's were won on the assembly lines of Detroit."
The Detroit News Archives