By GE Reports Staff
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History remembers the soldiers who streamed from amphibious assault vehicles at Normandy and the tank commanders in the Battle of the Bulge. But let’s not forget Marie Kappa, a government ordnance inspector stationed at GE Erie Works, who also helped win World War II.
The picture of Kappa, pale and serious, peering down the barrel of a Howitzer artillery piece in March 1943 is a reminder of the total immersion of the U.S. public in the war effort. On this day 70 years ago, the efforts of Kappa and millions of others both deployed and on the home front, paid off as the deadliest war in history ended in the European theater. Their images, preserved by GE’s “Publicity Department”, remain an indelible evocation of a completely mobilized society.
The event, popularly known as V-E Day, marked the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. The war in Japan, however, threatened to grind on. “Our victory is but half won,” cautioned President Harry S. Truman. Still, GE gave its workers the day off from making bazookas and turbines to drive aircraft carriers. Presumably, for a job well done.
Below are some of the images of wartime mobilization distributed by GE.
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Image may be NSFW.
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Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
