By Jane Feehan
The focus of Broward County war relief efforts for England shifted to defense activities after Pearl Harbor. Three weeks after that attack the Broward County Defense Council, comprised of councils in Dania, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale, Hollywood and Oakland Park, reported its efforts.
An air raid warden system neared completion with issuing more than 350 warden identification cards to volunteers.
Broward County residents were advised not to be alarmed by sudden power shut downs. Warnings of practice blackouts would be announced by newspapers and radio.
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| Avenger aircraft WWII State of Florida Archives |
Students in their last semester would be eligible for diplomas if they entered the armed services and their work deemed meeting set standards.
A resolution to pay expenses for architect Clinton Gamble to attend a course on building protection at the University of Florida was passed by the county. Gamble would then return to Broward and supervise air precaution work on school buildings.
Taxi and truck owners in the county were urged to register their vehicles with the council. Also, all private car owners were asked to register their vehicles if they volunteered to support the war effort with their cars.
Ex-service men and former police officers formed an auxiliary unit under direction of Sheriff Walter Clark. His office was "crowded to capacity with patriots offering their time and resources to observe and track down illegal activities when paid officers were occupied with other duties."
The Broward Defense Council was also involved in rationing of products and supplies during WWII. A national ban on the sale of tires went into effect December 11, 1941. Soon after safety boards were established in Broward County and throughout the country to handle rationing of tires. Rubber for tires was imported from areas in the Pacific occupied by or in conflict with Japan and its allies. Rubber was needed to manufacture truck tires for military vehicles.
Other rationed items included gasoline, canned goods, sugar, meat, dairy products--and a list expanded so frequently that some asked "when are they going to ration the rationing?" Rationing was necessary to feed and support US troops and to help produce military goods.
Copyright © 2022 All rights reserved. Jane Feehan
Tags: Broward County in WWII, Fort Lauderdale in WWII, Fort Lauderdale in the 1940s, Fort Lauderdale history, Broward County history
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Sources:
Fort Lauderdale Daily News Dec. 19, 1941
Fort Lauderdale Daily News, Dec. 28, 1941
Fort Lauderdale Daily News, Jan 8, 1943
Fort Lauderdale Daily News, Jan. 21, 1943
Fort Lauderdale Daily News, Feb. 17, 1943
Tags: Fort Lauderdale in the 1940s, WWII in Broward County, Fort Lauderdale during World War II, film research. Rationing, Fort Lauderdale history, Broward County history, Fort Lauderdale in WWII
