Oral+History+Questions

Oral History Questions- 1.To my understanding, your family had a leather company, was that affected in the war by rationing or bonds? Or even the production of it? Did your father and uncles who ran the company have an opinion on the conflict.

Yes, because they rationed leather. You couldn't buy anything leather because all of it went towards jackets and boots. Our companies production had to sell first to the government on bid, which means whoever had the lowest cost goes to the government, then the civilians came second. The uncles who ran it really were mad about it because it was affecting the profit was affected.

2. What was your life like during the time of World War II?

I was 9 when the war started. I lived in Whitefish Bay. East Cumberland Boulevard. I went to Saint Roberts and I was in 3rd grade. I liked to fish and play golf when I was that age.

3.Do you remember when Pearl Harbor happened, and do you remember just where you were when it happened?

Yes. I was at in the Shorewood Theatre watching a western and the lights came on and the movie stopped, the manager then came out and said that the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and he ordered everyone to go home. I was scared because I was only 9 and did not know what was gonna happen next. Were they gonna bomb us next?

4.Did you do your part in helping the rationing or collecting materials or forgo anything you enjoyed to help the war effort, such as food TV shows etc.?

Yeah, we collected tin foil, lard and fat. Which were then sent off to factories and were made for ammuntion.

6. Do you remember any propaganda that was posted around your area? Did Milwaukee itself play any role in the fight?

Oh yes, One poster that stated 'A slip of a lip sinked a ship.' Which meant if you knew about the war, you would not talk about it because spies could pick it up. The iconic 'Uncle Sam wants you' posters also. Lots of propaganda also in the cartoons I watched and movies did too. Newspapers that had cartoons in them that referred to the war.

7. As a child what were your emotions that surrounded the war, particularly being a German American, did that influence some of your feelings toward the fight in general?

Yes, Some people believed that we were in favor of Nazi Germany and people war jailed of being accused as Nazi Sympathizers. Many thought Hitler was going to prevail.

8. Did you agree with the idea of getting involved? Did you have much of an opinion at the time and did that differ from your parents?

I was too young to have a real opinion on the war. I guess I wanted the US to win.

9.What was your opinion on Franklin Roosevelt at the time of war? How about your parents opinion? General areas opinion?

He got us into the war. We did not think too much of him. He had high taxes and was really full of himself. Some believed he just wanted to build a reputation more than anything.

10. As a pre-teen during WW2 were you scared of having the possibility of fighting if the war went on"? Or would you have been proud to serve?

No. Because I knew the war was going to end before it got to that long because it looked like we were winning.

11. Did you remember the citizens having hard feelings on Asian-Americans during WW2. Or was that more on the Pacific Coast?

There was a definite feeling of hate towards Japanese-American. But not as strong as the West Coast.

Thanks for your time Bompa.