BLAIR, Janet (b. 1918) | Oral History

BLAIR, Janet (b. 1918)

Profession: Homemaker

Oral Histories

Homemaker. Her experiences as a Red Cross volunteer in the European Theater during World War II. Pre-war German language education in Europe; her activities with “Bundles for Britain” in New York City, 1940-41; employment at the San Antonio, Texas, Air Depot, 1942-43; her patriotic motivation; her decision to join the Red Cross, May, 1943; orientation at American University, Washington, DC, 1943; stateside assignments in North Carolina and Virginia; assignment to England, September, 1943; the trans-Atlantic voyage aboard a troopship; her description of wartime conditions in England, 1943-44; her description of the preparation of donuts and coffee for distribution to American troops in England; rationing and air raids in England; her selection as a clubmobiler; the formation of a lifelong friendship with Diana Marvin and Peggy Bell; the use of Greenliners; relationships between Red Cross women and U.S. military personnel; her account of D-Day; her assignment to XII Corps, Rear in France, September, 1944; donut-making in France; relations between Red Cross women and French civilians; leave time in Paris; living conditions in France; her experiences serving troops during the Battle of the Bulge, December, 1944-January, 1945; looting; end of the war and her return to the States.
Date of Interview: June 25, 2001

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