Psalms 127:1a "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it..."
We, Joel Derkin, Robert Koluch and Joseph Heer, do hereby dedicate this endeavor and the fruits thereof to the glory of the Lord, from Whom comes every good and perfect thing. We recognize that our human efforts and finest achievements are for naught if they are not exercised within the realm of Christian character. We, desiring the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ, purpose to first edify the Lord in our words, speech and conduct. Second, we aspire to seek out ways that God has shaped the history of our country. Thirdly, it is our goal to bathe each aspect of our undertaking in prayer, for His plan is far superior to anything we may imagine. May the Lord bless us as we seek to accomplish His best, knowing that with Him is found true victory!
Proverbs 21:31 "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the Lord."
- Main title
- Links to different versions (text only, multimedia)
- Acknowledgement to TQ
- Link to RA
- The War
Start the surrealistic adventure as a virtual veteran. Join the action and you will be given the opportunity to experience the war first hand. With the help of Kilroy II and your imagination, you will journey through boot camp, several main battles and homefront efforts, making decisions and living with the results of those choices. Kilroy and other Veterans will guide you. Come, learn and experience America @ War.
- The Gallery
Our 3D Gallery displays a collection of WWII propaganda posters, and War artifacts. Walk through the halls and feel the history all around you.
- The Veterans
Our Veterans Memorial Site contains two avenues for honoring and learning from our Veterans. In text and Real Audio formats you can read, listen, ask questions & relive with them their experiences. Our Veterans Memorial, gives you an opportunity to post your own memorial and show gratefulness to the Veterans who sacrifices for your freedom.
- The Resources
To make this site truly useful to students and teachers, alike; we have made a compilation of WWII reference books, movies, web links and creative assignments that will make an excellent unit study for home or classroom.Internal Index
- Prelude to War & Timeline
What were the events that led up to the explosive World War II? What harbored bitterness' left over from World War I, combined with elaborate lies and economic crises to form one of the most destructive eras of this century? What happened when? Find out here!
- The Homefront
Was combat the only way to fight? What about those who were unfit or not able to join the fighting in the military? For women, children and left behind men, the homefront was teeming with opportunities to serve and make a difference. Find out what you can do!
- Pearl Harbor
December 7, 1941Codes, encrypted messages, who knew the truth and when? A historic fiction account of what really happened!
- D-Day
June 6, 1944Who planned this massive assault on the German held beaches of Normandy? America, England and Canada united to blow a hole into German occupation and reclaim France for the Allies. How many thousands of men died? How strong was the resistance? How bloody was the fight?
- Bataan
April-May, 1941Who knows to horror of these forgotten troops. With Washington concentrating on winning the war in Europe first, these valiant men felt the sting of abandonment. A beacon of light in the growing sea of Japanese occupation, when did Bataan fall and why?
- Battle of Britain
September, 1940-May, 1941A fight for England's skies. Hitler couldn't afford to fight the Russians on one front and England on another, one of them had to go. The tiny British Isles were selected to be easily subdued, but he was mistaken! Every night for years, German bombers pummeled the Isles, would the English crumble?
- Battle of the Bulge
December 12, 1944"The greatest American battle of the second World War. The most terrible and costly battle fought by Americans in any war!"-Churchill. What was at stake? What lit the fire under the army of Germany to launch a surprise attack with such ferocity? Who killed more, the gun fire or the wickedly low temperatures?
- Children of the War
"The children had nothing to smile about." With their parents fighting, dead or at home, the children in the foreign front knew little happiness. Especially those persecuted by the Germans or in captivity, there was little to smile about.
- The Merchant Marine
The life line of our armed forces, the Merchant Marine risked their lives to deliver supplies to our fighting men.
- VE Day
May 8, 1945The Germans have surrendered! The guns will be silent and the Nazis exterminated. The new Fuerher has pledged for peace...but is that really what he wants?
- Follow the Bomb - the Saga of the A-bomb
Four bombs, three bomb sites, two desolated cities and one truth. Why were the cities selected? Who pushed the button? Why was it necessary?
- VJ Day
It's OVER! The Japanese have agreed to terms of unconditional surrender. The troops can come home. For some it is a time for great joy and celebration; but what about the families who lost sons and fathers? What about those who will lose their jobs? Is everyone rejoicing?
- Test your knowledge, Take our Quiz!
Overview
From the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941 to the signing of surrender, September 2, 1945, our website presents, in an appealing, interactive way the many aspects of America's involvement in World War II. Our mascot, Kilroy II, guides the user through the historic events and tragic costs of war. We invite you to explore the power of war and the price of our freedom.
Both, "text only" and "mutimedia" versions are available to accommodate a wide variety of users. Available from our site menu are: Multimedia surrealistic World War II sceanarios, a 3 dimensional gallery, a veteran's memorial site, and teacher's multi-disciplinary resource page.
Kilroy is the faithful friend, confident, and informed one of the group. He will pass along importiant facts or events as he hears of them.
A special feature is our Veterans site. Personal interviews, available in text and audio, with veterans (including: infantry men, a decoder, D-Day & Battle of the Bulge soldiers, Pilots, civilian teenagers and more) give each student a glimpse of what the war was like through their eyes. Interview topics cover: job descriptions and how they accomplished their duties, fondest memories, funniest stories, best friends, leaving home. A memorial page, where they can post their own personal memorials for additional World War II Veterans is also featured.
A useful feature is the teacher's lesson-plan, where additional resources can be found. Such as: creative assignments and unit study projects, recomended links to other Internet sites, video and book resources. Our goal is to provide a teacher with a functional tool for expanding a student's frame-of-reference; giving them a stronger comprehension of World War II; the pain, the lose, and the victory gained!
Special thanks to...
- National Archives
- Wright Patterson Air Force Base Museum
- Toledo Blade Newspaper
- Grolier Online Encyclopedia
- The National World War II Memorial
- Matt's Script Archive - Creater of guestbook script:
- Matthew Lewis - For his floor design used in the Gallery
- Propaganda Posters -- World War II - Permission to draw from collection
- Focus on the Family - Permission to follow Pearl Harbor Historical fiction story line
- All the interviewed Veterans who contributed their testimonies to this site
Permissions:
- Images of B-24 Bomber, of P-38 Lightning, P-51D Mustang, B-29 Superfortress, B-25 Mitchell at britain/id.htm fromWright- Patterson AFB Museum website at http://www.wpafb.af.mil.museum/ind/ind.htm. Personal visit Wright-Paterson AFB Archives Office, June 24, 1998.
- Image of PT-17 Kaydet at /britain/id.htm, from The Military Aircraft Archive at http://www.rpi.edu/~harkij/airpics.html, Jeremy Harkin, at karkij@rpi.edu, August, 1998, email message.
- Image of USS Indianapolis at bomb/bomb3.htm, from the North Mariana Islands and World War II at http://www.cnmi-guide.com/history/ww2/11/index.htm. Navy Archive Photo, Public domain.
- Image of Army Wants You Poster at toenlist.htm, from Uncle Sam Image Gallery at http:home.nycap.rr.com/content/us_poster_l.jpg, public domain notice on webpage.
- Image of George Patton at leaders.htm, from Patton Society, at http://members.aol.com/PattonsGHQ/homeghq.html, Mike Province, PattonsGHQ@aol.com, August, 1998 e-mail message.
- Image of Benito Mussolini at axis.htm, From City of Brooklyn Zoo at http://brooklynzoo.simplenet.com/mussolini, Permission given on website for non-profit reproduction.
- Battle of Britain statistics at britain/index.htm, From Battle Of Britain at http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/4143/, David Matusek, August, 1998, E-mail message.
- Images of Navy boot camp at 1stglmps.htm, from "The Keel", Great Lakes Naval Training Station 1970-71 Yearbook, US Navy Web Page reference statement, public domain.
- Images of propoganda posters at gallery/4.htm, from The Smithsonian Museum
at http://www.si.edu/organiza/museums/nmah/ve/victory/vichome.htm , reproduction permitted for non-commercial use.- Battle of Britain Casualty statistics at britain/index.htm from The Battle of Britain at http://wwwgeocities.com/pentagon/4143/, David Matusek, matusek@iol.cz, August, 1998.
- Collage of sound effects through out site from 150 Spectacular Sound Effects CD, Madacy Music Group, Inc. (1992) with permission by fax.
- Image of Scrap Metal Poster & Rubber poster at homefront/homefront2.htm, image of Car Club Cartoon at homefront/homefront5.htm, image of Grow Your Own, Can Your Own Poster andVictory Garden Poster at homefront /homefront9.htm, image of Is Your Trip Necessary Poster at homefront/homefront4.htm from Cincinatti Goes To War, Roger Pilley, Cincinatti Museum Center, March, 1998, phone permission.
- Image of "Japs Surrender" Headlines and article text at victory/vjday.htm from The Toledo Blade Newspaper, August 14, 1945 Edition, Frank Craig, managing editor, June, 1998, letter.
- V-E Day victory article text at victory/veday.htm from The Toledo Blade Newspaper, May 8, 1945 Edition, Frank Craig, managing editor, June, 1998, letter.
- President Roosevelt Dies article text at bomb/truman.htm from The Toledo Times Newspaper, (bought by Toledo Blade) April 13, 1945 Edition, Frank Craig, managing editor, June, 1998, letter.
- Maps maps/map.htm Microsoft Expedia Maps http://www.expediamaps.com the permission is given on the Site.
References:
Electronic Sources
Text or Multimedia from Web Pages, FTP sites, Telnet
- Matusek, David "Battle of Britain"
<http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/4143/>(August, 1998)- Province, Mike "Patton GHQ" Patton Society <http://members.aol.com/PattonsGHQ/homeghq.html
(August, 1998)- Szilard, Leo, "Atomic Bomb:Decision"
<http://www.dannen.com/decision/index.html>(August, 1998)- Ohba, Mitsura, "A Bomb WWW Museum", June, 1995
<http://www.csi.ad.jp/ABOMB/index.html,
(August, 1998)- Stewart, William H., "The North Mariana Islands and World War II",
<http://www.cnmi-guide.com/history/ww2/>, (August, 1998)- US Army "The U.S. Army Homepage", <http://www.usarmy.mil> (July, 1998)
- US Maritime Service, "American Merchant Marine" March, 1998,
<http://www.USMM.org/ww2.html>
( July, 1998)- US Navy Homepage, "Welcome To The US Navy" <http:/www.usnavy.mil>(August,1998)
- US Army "Ft Benning Army Homepage", <http://192.153.150.25>(August, 1998)
- US Army, "Ft. Bliss Army Homepage", <http://www.bliss.army.mil>(August,1998)
- A&E Television Networks "Biography", <http://www.biography.com(July andAugust, 1998)
Electronic Sources
Publications on CD-Rom, Diskette, or Magnetic Tapes
- Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, 1997 Version, Connecticut, Grolier Interactive, 1997.
- British Broadcasting Company, SFX 018 Bang, England, BBC, (1992)
Printed Material
Part of a book
- Current Biography, "Hirohito"Current Biography Yearbook, 1942, H.W. Wilson Publishers, New York, pg. 375
- Warefare and Armed Conflicts A Statistical Reference Vol2, 1992, McFarland & Co., Jefferson New Jersey, pgs 955 &956
Printed Material
Entire Book
- Halliwell, Ruth and Walker, John, Halliwell's Film and Video Guide. New
York: Harper Collins Publishers (1997)- Argyle, Christopher, Chronolgy of World War II. New York: Exeter Books,(1980)
- Lewis, Dottie L. Ed. Cincinatti Goes To War, Cincinatti Historical Society,(1991)
- Funk and Wagnalls, Standard Desk Dictionary. New York, Harper and Row Publisher's, Inc. (1984)
- Terkel, Studs, The Good War. NewYork: Panteon Books. (1984)
- Goldstein, Richard, America at D-Day. New York: Dell Publishing, (1994)
- Wright, David K., Multicultural Portrait of World War II. New York: Marshall Cavendish Corp., (1994)