By September 3rd, Britain and France had declared war on Germany.
World War II had begun.
By 1941 he proclaimed America as the Arsenal of Democracy behind the new Lend-Lease Act.
The BAR starred in this World War II war poster heralding American air power. Images: National Archives
Through Lend-Lease, America would provide weapons to its allies without direct payment.
Americas commitment to neutrality lasted right up until she was suddenly and brutally attacked by the Empire of Japan.
Freedom and the sanctity of life around the world was threatened and America would come to its defense.
Americas level of commitment to defeating the Axis Powers was absolutely Herculean.
(To learn more about the BAR, clickhere.)
But not every one of your favorite guns were represented.
American industry provided American forces with the best equipment, and more of it, than any other combatant nation.
A rather youthful-looking General Douglas MacArthur cast as an iconic American hero in this war poster.
A particularly dramatic image promoting absolute communications security and secrecy. Note the M1 Carbine.
U.S. troops fight for a jungle beachhead with a Browning M1917 .30 caliber machine gun.
GIs charge ashore carrying M1 rifles while tanks land in the background.
The great Norman Rockwell captured the essence of the hard-working U.S. machine gunner in a tattered uniform, firing a Browning M1917 .30 caliber machine gun.
For the most part, American motivational materials didn’t shy from the grim realities of a world war. Losing was not an option.
American industry never took its foot off the gas in World War II. By the beginning of 1945, U.S. logistics were crushing the Axis.
As the war progressed, the U.S. Army began to celebrate its many branches.
The M1 Garand was described by General Patton as “The greatest battle implement ever devised.”