I was only 8 years old but I remember the fear that America's entry into World War II overcame much of American society. World War I held little danger of an air attack by an enemy. Such was not the case with the evolution of the airplane. An unguarded America would be an easy target. However our civil defense teams locally and nationally very successfully met the challenge with volunteer airplane spotters, air raid wardens and other then very scary scenarios. One of the very real threats was from what was known then as the "fifth column;" a term for enemy agents to enter the country as spies or saboteurs. Over the years I have written numerous columns 8 year old Tommy Glover experienced as the possible threat of enemy bombers obliterating the city of Trenton. Blackouts, air raid wardens, rationing, and other vestiges of those fearful years are still crystal clear in my memory and that of many of my fellow senior citizens.
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Tom, please check the Tuesday December 9 1941 issue of the Trenton Times. There's a story and photo of several young males enlisting in the Navy. One of them is my father. IIRC there is a story covering other suspected threats in the country.
Hi Bill:
As us so often the case, I have the December 9 issue of the Gazette and not the Times. I did check but the Gazette didn't publish the photo.
Sorry about the misinformation. The photo is on the front page of the Gazette (not the Times)of Tuesday December 9. “Eager Recruits Jam Army and Navy Offices Here.” My Dad has the bow tie and vest.
The main headline: ENEMY FLEET OFF FRISCO; JAPANESE LAND IN PHILLIPINES
They were very turbulent days, much like it was on September 12, 2001.
I'' check it out tomorrow Bill. Hopefully there will only be one edition and not a second one. If there is, I can guarantee that I will have wrong one! Happens quite frequently but I don't think there were many multiple daily additions at the Gazette and Times.
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