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A World War II Thanksgiving


thanksgiving-ww2_1.jpgAdded by: Fold3_SpotlightAfter receiving permission from the farm owner, these men, attached to an airbase at Norfolk, England, invade a turkey pen to choose their annual turkey day repast. The turkeys were given to the men for their Thanksgiving dinners. 6 November 1943.
thanksgiving-ww2_2.jpgAdded by: Fold3_SpotlightOn 25 November 1943, a long line of men formed outside the mess hall on Alexai Point Airbase, each waiting for his turn to be served the traditional Thanksgiving dinner–the first Thanksgiving celebrated by military personnel on former American territory recaptured from the Japanese. The men are members of the 28th Bomb Group and the 54th Fighter Group, stationed on Attu, Aleutian Islands.
thanksgiving-ww2_3.jpgAdded by: Fold3_SpotlightMess hall personnel ready to serve Thanksgiving dinner to the men of the 13th Air Force who have formed a long chow line outside. Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, 25 November 1943.
thanksgiving-ww2_4.jpgAdded by: Fold3_SpotlightGI’s, holding plates heaped with food, grin broadly as they pass thru the chow line in the mess hall at Poltava Airbase, a shuttle bombing base in Russia. The Thanksgiving dinner, served by Russian girls, was the first meal prepared in the newly-opened mess hall. November 1944.
thanksgiving-ww2_5.jpgAdded by: Fold3_SpotlightGI’s do justice to their Thanksgiving dinner, the first meal served in the newly-opened mess hall at Poltava Airbase, a shuttle mission base in Russia. November 1944.
thanksgiving-ww2_6.jpgAdded by: Fold3_SpotlightAt Alexai Point, Attu, Aleutian Islands, officers of the 77th Bomb Group and the 54th Fighter Group do justice to the traditional Thanksgiving dinner –the first one celebrated by military personnel on former American territory recaptured from the Japanese. 25 November 1943.
thanksgiving-ww2_7.jpgAdded by: Fold3_SpotlightAt Alexai Point, Attu, Aleutian Islands, Officers Of The 77Th Bomb Group And The 54Th Fighter Group Do Justice To The Tradition Thanksgiving Dinner – The First One Celebrated By Military Personnel On Former American Territory Recaptured From The Japanese. 25 November 1943.