Posted in New Hampshire History March 22, 2016 by

Most People Have Never Seen These 15 Photos Taken During WWII In New Hampshire

World War II was a terrible time in the United States and around the globe. Hundreds of thousands of families were entrenched in the fight, including thousands from right here in New Hampshire. From 1939 to 1945, eyes were trained on Europe, where it wasn’t clear until the very end whether the Allies would triumph. Back home in New Hampshire, life carried on, undoubtably touched by the war, but in some ways the same as it always had been. Here are 15 amazing photos that show what life was like in New Hampshire during World War II.

1. The Portsmouth Harbor was essential for the war effort.
Wikimedia
2. A mountain drive was the perfect way to escape news of the war.
David G. Hawkins/flickr
3. A train built at the end of WWII pulls into North Walpole.
Hugh Llewelyn/flickr
4. Back at home, some aspects of life carried on, like the birth of this baby in 1942.
David G. Hawkins/flickr
5. The U.S.S. Brooklyn patrolled the east coast during WWII, including patrolling the New Hampshire seacoast around the Isle of Shoals from May 23 to June 3, 1939.
Photolibrarian/facebook
6. Servicemen were thrilled when they could get back home to New Hampshire.
David G. Hawkins/flickr
7. Women were essential to the war effort.
David G. Hawkins/flickr
8. A family braves an uncertain bridge in the early 1940s.
David G. Hawkins/flickr
9. New Hampshire campsites in the early 1940s didn’t look too different than today.
David G. Hawkins/flickr
10. The U.S.S. New Hampshire coming into port.
Historylink101/creative commons
11. Laurence C. Craigie was a New Hampshire native with a distinguished career as a pilot.
By United States Air Force/wikimedia
12. A postcard printed during WWII was designed to remind troops of life at home.
Boston Public Library/flickr
13. The U.S.S. Newton was a Navy training vessel that was built in Portsmouth.
By US Navy/Wikimedia
14. A WWII-era Harley Davidson Motorcycle is on display at the Wright Museum in Wolfboro.
Patrick Breen/flickr
15. The U.S.S. Grafton was named after a New Hampshire county.
Wikimedia

What amazing photos, and a reminder of all that our local veterans and their families have sacrificed.

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