"Types of bombs" training chart

Creator

Manitowoc (Wis.). Police Department

Date

• July 1942

Summary

• Photograph of an illustrated training chart showing facts about different types of bombs that could be used in an air attack. This chart, which is affixed to two wire coat hangers for display, was used at a World War II "Civilian Defense Training School" held at Washington Junior High School in Manitowoc, Wisconsin in July 1942. The three-hour training class was mandatory for all 5,000 Manitowoc County residents who were enrolled as civil defense volunteers. Multiple sessions were scheduled over the course of a week to accommodate everyone, and newspaper announcements stressed that attendance would be taken. The main focus of the training was to prepare for air raid warnings and blackouts, with presentations by Manitowoc Fire Chief John Gaedke, Kiel Fire Chief Herman Lettenberger, Chief Air Raid Warden George Hall, and other Civilian Defense officials. The 5,000 volunteers were assigned to various duties throughout the county, including: air raid wardens, auxiliary police, auxiliary firemen, fire watchers, demolition and clearance crews, rescue squads, chaplains, decontamination squads, emergency medical corps, nurses aides, drivers corps, emergency food and housing corps, utility repair squads, and a transportation corps.