Michigan in World War II

by Daniel W. Mason

Detroit's role as the Arsenal of Democracy during World War II is well known, but the war effort in Michigan extended to all corners of the state. Schoolchildren showed their patriotism by raising money for war bonds to buy planes, tanks and jeeps. The locks in Sault Ste. Marie were considered a potential target of a German attack and were guarded accordingly. A spy ring in Detroit mobilized an unsuccessful attempt to help an escaped German POW flee the continent. A top-secret navy project, undisclosed until the 1990s, set aircraft carriers afloat on the Great Lakes. Compiling more than 180 images, including many never before seen, author Dan Mason unfolds the stories of Michigander grit and courage overseas and at home.

208 pages, Paperback

Published March 15, 2021

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series of books now offered by History Press has long been a great outlet for local and regional histories from across the United States. I ordered my copy of Michigan in World War II as possibly useful background for genealogical research on the Michigan branches of my family tree. My parents and I left Michigan when I was still an infant, though we often returned to visit our relatives remaining there, so my knowledge of Michigan and its history is limited. Author Daniel W. Mason presents an interesting historical survey of a wide range of aspects of Michigan's participation in World War II, from industry to military service to film stars and other notables visiting or otherwise. He also provides a roughly 20 page appendix of the contributions of Michigan based manufacturers and both their peace time and war time goods.