Hello everyone, today I will be telling of the "land of the 10,000 lakes" contribution in WW2. For those of you not familiar with what I just said, read the title of the thread. It's quite funny to me that the day I tell you of Minnesota, The NFL Minnesota Vikings had one of the biggest miracle plays in NFL history 3 days ago. I have never been to Minnesota, but it sounds like a wonderful place (In the Spring and Summer) . Previous WW2 effects: Colorado-http://ww2f.com/threads/ww2-effects-colorado.70524/#post-820964 Minnesota Pre-WW2 Minnesota in the 30's and early 40's was one of the more overlooked and underappreciated states in the Union. Home to about 2.6 million people in 1940, Minnesota was the stereotypical Mid-Western state, relying mostly on agriculture, and housing relatively small towns, rather than major cities. Minnesota was, and still is the nation's leading producer of sugar beets and sweet corn. Minnesota also heavily relied on the Lumber and paper making business pre-war. The Great Depression didn't do the state well, along with particularly bad crops in the early 30's. while unemployment in the state was among one of the lower figures nationwide, hundreds of homeless and jobless Minnesotan's died in the harsh winters. The state however had the largest iron ore deposits in the United States, and was responsible for supplying 60% of the U.S's iron, and 27% of the worlds iron in 1940. So in a way, Minnesota was contributing significantly to the war effort before the U.S was directly involved. The State's Economic diversity didn't translate however to ethnic and religious diversity. Over 90% of Minnesota's population was white and Christian. Minnesota WW2 Immediately prior to WW2, the USAAF had 5 Army Airfields built in Eastern Minnesota near and around the Wisconsin border. Flour Mills and other industrial centers began to build weaponry and vehicles for Lend-Lease and Home defense. With America suddenly being thrust into war, Minnesota was ready to go to work and fight for her country. St. Paul and Minneapolis were the leaders in industrial production and volunteers in the state. Duluth took part in ship building, Northern Minnesota Mined for more Iron and, and turned up lumber production. Western and Southern Minnesota led the state in it's agricultural and victory garden efforts. Eastern Minnesota trained and housed government and Military officials and soldiers. The people of Minnesota made every contribution possible to support the war effort, buying war bonds, growing gardens, and enlisting in the Armed forces. Minnesota Post-WW2 325,000 Minnesotan's served in WW2, 6,462 didn't return. Minnesota grew substantially because of the conflict, not just in population, but economically and culturally. Minnesota would drastically reduce Iron and lumbers role in the economy, replacing them with newer more modern alternatives. Minnesota's role in the U.S's economy has continued to grow, along with it's population (5.5 million residents now). Along with progress in the economy, Minnesota is becoming a more culturally and ethnically diverse area. The Future is bright in the North, even with only 8 hours of sunlight in the winter.
You should include Fall as well. Minnesota's contribution during WWII would not be complete without mentioning Fort Snelling, which not only functioned as an induction center for hundreds of thousands, but also was the location of a secret military intelligence language school. Also, the 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate), was activated at Camp Ripley, Minnesota. The War Department ordered the creation of the "Norwegian Battalion" to be used for a possible invasion of Norway. After their initial training at Camp Ripley, they moved to Fort Snelling for additional training before training at Camp Hale, Colorado with the 10th Mountain Division.
Thank you for the additional information I wrongfully missed Tommy. Glad I have a Minnesota Native to help fact check me
Fort Ripley is still used for winter training of National Guard units from other states. My father-in-law tells stories of leaving North Carolina with weather in the 60's and arriving at Fort Ripley just before a major blizzard. In the south west of the state, there is Fagen Fighters near Granite Falls, Mn. There is a WWII museum and several flying WWII aircraft including a B-25, P-38, P-40s, FM-2 Wildcat, and P-51s. There is also shops where they rebuild/restore P-40s.
I'm sure your father in law wasn't pleased with the drastic weather change! . I've never heard of Fagen Fighters, that's quite the selection! A whole hangar dedicated to restoring P-40's, I didn't know that existed either. Thanks Scott!
If you ever head north to explore, a must see place. my wife and I arrived on a Monday when they were closed. How can a WW2 buff ignore a yellow P51 on a plyon just off the highway? Walked around the grounds, talked with a machinist making P-40 parts, then watched the 'boss' land his P-51 then taxi within 10 yards where we stood. Once in a lifetime stuff.
Fantastic stuff Scott! Was that your first encounter with a warbird up close like that? If so, if you ever have the chance, the Planes of Fame museum in Chino California has an airshow every May, and it features about 60 to 70 warbirds, 40 to 50 off whom fly.
