Military History Commons^™

Allied Unshackling: British, Canadian, And American Prisoner Of War Diplomacy During The Shackling Reprisals, 1942-43, Kiera Bridley

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Prisoner of war studies have largely focused their research on the experiences of the men and women within their captor countries. Although some country-specific work has been done regarding prisoner of war policy, there has been a significant gap in research regarding prisoner of war policy during the Second World War. This research focuses on the convergence of prisoner of war policy and diplomatic relations between Great Britain, Canada, and the United States during the shackling reprisals with Germany from 1942-43. The shackling reprisals represented the first conjunction of the three nations in diplomatic relations with Germany over the issue …

Voices From D-Day, June 6, 1944, Musselman Library

Other Exhibits & Events

Seventy years on from D-Day, we still marvel at the stoic heroism of the men who contributed to the success of what remains the greatest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare. The Normandy campaign would, in one way or another, prove a pivotal moment in the ongoing world war. A disaster in the campaign to liberate France would set back Allied hopes for crushing Nazism in Western Europe. It would also fray the alliance with the Soviet Union that was essential to defeating Hitler’s forces. By contrast, success would mark not just the end of the beginning of the …

The Secret Weapons Of World War Ii: An Analysis Of Hitler's Chemical Weapons Policy, Reyn Sp Ono

CMC Senior Theses

Very little historical scholarship specifically analyzes or explores the absence of chemical weapons in World War II. This thesis seeks to fill the gaps in the historical narrative by providing insight into the personal and external factors that influenced Hitler’s chemical weapons policy. This thesis also touches upon the wartime violence perpetrated by both the Axis and the Allies, thereby offering a neutral, unbiased historical account. From 1939-1941, Hitler did not deploy chemical weapons because his blitzkrieg of Europe was progressing successfully – chemical warfare was unnecessary. With the failure of Operation Barbarossa from 1942-1943, Armaments Minister Albert Speer oversaw …

Nazi Ideology And The Pursuit Of War Aim: 1941-45, Kenneth Burgess

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to examine what can be considered a military blunder on the part of the Nazi Germans. On June 22, 1941, Nazi Germany launched a massive invasion into the Soviet Union and Soviet territories. The political goals of Operation Barbarossa were to seize hold of the expanses of land belonging to the Soviet Union. This would serve as the foundation for increased agricultural production and the enslavement of any remaining Slavic people for the supposed greater good Germany. Additionally, the Nazis desired to erase the presence of all Jews living within the Soviet Union and …

Bryant, David Lee, 1923-2000 (Sc 2799), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text scan for Manuscripts Small Collection 2799. Typescripted personal history of David Lee Bryant (1923-2000) describing his upbringing in Todd County, Kentucky, his World War II military service, his capture by the Germans and liberation by the Russian Army, his subsequent work for a wholesale grocery firm, and his wife and three sons. Includes article about Bryant published 5 February 1986 in the (Greenville, Kentucky) Leader-News, and explanatory letter of his son Gary L. Bryant, 21 November 2013.

Spicker, Maxwell Pryse, Jr., 1920-1985 (Sc 2794), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2794. Letters of Maxwell P. Spicker, Jr., to his parents in Louisville, Kentucky, written during his U.S. Army service in World War II. He writes of his training and leisure activities at Fort Riley, Kansas, Seattle, Washington and Gainesville, Texas, and confidentially to his father of his request for an overseas assignment. Includes photographs of Spicker and fellow soldiers.

Johnston, Ira J. (Sc 2792), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2792. “Memories of a WWII Veteran,” by Ira J. Johnston. Johnston recalls the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, entering the U.S. Army, basic training, his service in France and Belgium, combat on the advance through Germany, the food he ate, interacting with German civilians, a surprise meeting with his brother-in-law, his return home, the Japanese surrender, and his discharge.

Wooton, Thomas Pryor (Sc 1261), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 1261. Paper, “Iceland in World War II as Experienced by Jim Wooton,” written by Thomas Wooton for a WKU history class early in the 1990s. He relates Hopkins Countian Jim Wooton’s experiences during the Depression and World War II.

Chyle, Walter, Jr., B. 1918 (Sc 1210), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 1210. World War II prisoner of war letter, 1943, from Walter Chyle, Jr. in Germany, to parents in Auburn, Kentucky, stating that he is fine; and newspaper article, 1984, about Chyle’s World War II experience and his many contributions to Butler County, Kentucky society.

Dallas, William Robert, Sr., 1910-1997 (Mss 472), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 472. Correspondence, almost exclusively between William Robert Dallas, Sr., and his girlfriend, fiancé, and later wife Virginia “Ginny” Eileen Lindsay. Dallas was in the Army Air Corps and stationed in Louisville, Kentucky, while Ginny was living in her hometown of Ventnor, New Jersey, right outside Atlantic City. The letters are courtship related and are filled with plans for their wedding on 15 September 1945.

Harris, Christine Louise, 1914-2011 (Sc 1200), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scans (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 1200. World War II letters (5) written to Christine Louise Harris, Bowling Green, Kentucky, and to the Fifth Street Baptist Church, Bowling Green, where Harris was secretary.

Hume, Glee, 1902-1998 (Mss 470), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 470. Letters written 1940-1946 to Glee Hume, a teacher at Burkesville High School, Cumberland County, Kentucky, by former students and relatives serving in various military service units around the world.

Headrick, Victor Delano, 1921-2010 (Sc 1122), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scans (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 1122. Letter, 26 May 1945, from Headrick, a Monroe County, Kentucky native, to his sister Eva Ream, relating his World War II experiences as a transportation specialist in Europe. Includes genealogical data sheet.

Stamps, William Perry, Jr., 1914-2006 (Sc 1123), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 1123. Postcard about a Bowling Green High School 1934 class meeting, 1937; newsletters (3), from the 87th Depot Repair Squadron, 1945; army ration card, 1945; miscellaneous papers related to Stamps’ release from the army, 1945; and a letter from a Moroccan friend, 1948.

Keirns, Harry Austin, 1917-2000 - Collector (Sc 1199), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scan (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 1199. Stories collected by Harry A. Keirns from American prisoners of war in Germany, describing the downing of their planes in German occupied areas during World War II.

Doughty, Kyllie (Sc 1103), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 1103. Paper: "Remembrances of Summer 1944,” written by Doughty for a Western Kentucky University class. She based her paper on her interview with her Louisville, Kentucky, grandmother, concerning life after her husband enlisted in the U.S. Navy, during World War II, and before he was sent overseas.

Diamond, George Oliver, 1925-1998 (Sc 1097), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scan (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 1097. George Oliver Diamond's autobiography, written for his children and grandchildren and focusing on his experiences as a member of the 559th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion in Europe during World War II. He received a portion of his military training in Bowling Green, Kentucky, returning to the city after the war to work and raise his family. He saw combat duty during the final months of the war.

Coombs Family Collection (Mss 349), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid for Manuscripts Collection 349. Correspondence, photographs, business records and miscellaneous papers of the Coombs, Robertson and related families of Warren and Simpson counties in Kentucky and of Alabama, Texas and Tennessee. Includes correspondence, personal papers and research of Elizabeth Robertson Coombs, librarian at the Kentucky Library, Western Kentucky University. Several documents from this collection have been scanned are available for viewing by clicking on the "Additional Files" below.

Flood, Edwin Warren, 1921-1944 (Sc 1081), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scans (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 1081. Six World War II V-Mail letters from Edwin Warren Flood, serving aboard the U.S.S. St. Louis in the Pacific area, to his parents and sister in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Also, three letters from his parents and sister, written before Flood’s death on 14 February 1944. Collection includes materials related to his posthumous awards, a photo of Flood in his U.S. Navy uniform, and negatives.

World War Ii, 1939-1945 - Letters (Sc 2710), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scans (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 2710. Three letters written by “Tom” to his brother Summers, mother and “Mary,” from May-July 1942. He describes his work at an unnamed location constructing a galley, mess hall and housing, and the hauling of building materials up a hillside using a cable car system called a “kah-vall-ee.” Includes another soldier’s whimsical story about mishaps with the contraption, titled “Kah-vall-ee: The First in a Series of Battery ‘L’ Incidents.”

Death By Bullet, Fire, Or Vapor: Examining The Decision To Use The Atomic Bomb To End World War Ii In The Pacific Theatre, Jonathan Keenan

The Exposition

The atomic bomb is one of the most destructive devices man has created for warfare. Able to wipe out entire city blocks and dissolve a person’s body leaving only a shadow behind. How can any good be found in such a weapon? The paper will evaluate the process Americans went through to create this weapon and then use it. It will convey how different key players felt about the Bomb, such as politicians, scientists, and military figures. Both sides of the argument will be looked at whether the Bombs should have been dropped or if there was a way around …

Perception Vs. Reality: Wwii Veterans Are More Than Willing To Share Their Stories, Thanasi Metropoulos

World War II – Related Research Projects

I created the Bristol Veterans History Project to record and preserve the stories from World War II and Korean War veterans in the local area.

The attached paper and corresponding PowerPoint presentation were created for a presentation with Professor Debbie Mulligan in Washington, DC.

Smith, Howard, 1922-1944 (Sc 1001), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scan (Click on "additional files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 1001. World War II correspondence, chiefly written by Howard Smith to his family in Hart and Larue counties in Kentucky. Smith was a munitions carrier in Company C, 133rd Infantry Division. Also contains letters from friends and family, and information about his death in Italy in 1944 and his reburial in Smith Cemetery (Priceville, Kentucky) in 1949.

Godby, Allen Fogle, 1920-2004 (Sc 934), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 934. Paper by Allen Fogle Godby titled, “W.W.II – Fifty Years Later” given to a Bowling Green, Kentucky High School assembly. Godby relates world conditions of that time period and records brief data about time spent in the Pacific Theater as a U.S. Army Air Corps sergeant. Godby did not see action on the fighting front.

Mccluskey, Terry Cleon, 1920-2002 (Sc 925), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scans (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 925. A 1942 note written by Marine Terry Cleon McCluskey to his mother, Mrs. James McCluskey, Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Japanese claimed that all Marines had been killed in Tulagi in the Solomon Islands. To counteract this Japanese propaganda, a U.S. officer had the men write their families putting that location on the top of the page. Also, 1993 explanatory comments related to the note. Includes copies of newspaper clippings related to McCluskey’s war service in the Pacific.

Williams, Drura Mack, 1891-1954 (Sc 923), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scan (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 923. Typescript of 1943 letter written by Drura M. Williams while serving with the Army in Italy to Dr. and Mrs. Finis London, Woodburn, Warren County, Kentucky. He is complimentary of the Women’s Army Corps and discusses the time he spent in North Africa. Also, newspaper clipping related to the letter. The original letter may be found in MSS 330, Box 1, Folder 5.

Spainhoward, William C., B. 1948 (Sc 960), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scans (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 960. Letter, 6 June 1970, of William C. Spainhoward, Henderson County, Kentucky, from Vietnam to his mother, detailing the treatment given to Vietnamese children during the Vietnamese Conflict; and notes on his interview by Barbara Smith, 1995, and Vietnam photos. Also notes on Smith’s 1995 interview with James T. Smith, Warren County, Kentucky, about his service in Europe during World War II, etc.

World War Ii, 1939-1945 - Letters (Sc 971), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scans (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 971. Photocopies of letters (2), written to Milwaukee, Wisconsin residents, chiefly concerning naval life in South America, 1944, and including comments about bombing devastation and V-E Day celebrations in Europe.

Morphew, Marvin Ellis, 1924-2000 (Sc 977), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text scan (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 977. Telegrams, 1945 (5), discharge papers, 1945-1948 (3), broadside, newspaper clipping. and photographs (2), pertaining to Muhlenberg County native Marvin Ellis Morphew’s World War II service, especially as a German prisoner of war.

World War Ii, 1939-1945 - D-Day Reminiscences (Sc 913), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scans (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 913. Three May 1994 letters, written by D-Day invasion veterans from Warren County, Kentucky in response to a request from the Bowling Green (Kentucky) Daily News for first-hand accounts of the operation. Also, photocopy of the newspaper article based on these accounts, published 5 June 1994.