Kilroy Was Here: The Best American Humor from World War II

This is an excellent collection of World War II humor and pathos, and should be of interest to most of the dwindling group of veterans of that war who are still alive.

I really enjoyed this little book.I was only 10 at the end of WW2;but remember a lot of what went on.I was growing up in Nova Scotia at the time.At school, each of us had our own personal gas mask hanging on a hook in our classroom.We had drills and everyone got into their masks.I shudder to think what an outcry would be made today if such a program was instituted.Everyone just got on board and no,the kids didn't have physiological problems or nightmares.We all brought anything made of aluminium to school and threw it at effigies of Hitler and Togo hanging from trees.After; the pots ,pans, etc were collected up and sent off to be mented down to use in making airplanes to help beat the enemy.Unlike today;there was no doubt by anyone who the enemy was.Every kid in the class brought their quarter to school to buy War Savings Stamps.At home, in the evenings, there would be Air Raid Blackout Drills.I lived in a town with a nearby Army Camp,an Airforce Base about 30 miles away in one direction and several Navy Baseswithin less than 80 miles.Needless to say,there were military personnel everywhere and Troop Trains with windows covered passing through our town.Airplanes were seen daily practicing manouvers overhead and endless army vehicles going through town.I even remember sitting on my steps and hearing the Army firing big guns only a few miles away.On Saturday afternoons we went to the movies and watched the newsreels showing the real war.Was it scarry being a kid at that time?No,not that I remember,we all believed we were going to win in the end.Thanks to the author for bringing back a lot of those memories at the beginning of this book. As the years went on, I spent quite a few years in the Army Cadets,Militia the Officer Training Corps;fortunately none of it in active warfare. However;the humor Osgood brings to us reminded me of the humor that sustains one whenever involved in military life.Without humor, a sane person would be driven to madness;and this would be particularly true in wartime. Humor,trickery,cunning,subterfuge,chicanery,deception,circumvention,friendships,loyalty,and most of all,living by one's wit are all important in any area of life;but in the military are practiced as a fine art. It was also good to see the Bill Mauldin's drawings again.They brought to me two other good books that anyone who liked "Kilroy Was Here";should also enjoy namely;"The Brass Ring" and "Up Front", both by Mauldin. I highly recommend it to anyone who has spent any time in the military.To someone who has not,they probably wouldn't believe how things were.

Every story in here is a gem. A great gift for any history fan. Lots of World War II details come to light here. A fun read. Get this gift for you Dad or Grand Dad for Christmas.

Worth it for the 11 page intro-"Dictionary of US Military Slang",*(reprinted) i.e.: "armoured cow" is canned milk, 'Meat Wagon'..ambulance, 'gashouse gang'...chemical warfare instructors,..but alternative for S.O.S. is not 'Same old Stew',all vets know that from chowline.

". . . Dogface infantryman digging in with battle sounds of shells and grenades exploding around them and bullets whizzing overhead. The field telephone rings and a helmeted GI reaches for it, picks it up the receiver and answers: `WORLD WAR TWO.'" Charles Osgood starts his introduction with this story which, in my mind, typifies the absolutely amazing GI humor that was a part of WWII! There are also quotes from entertainers of that era: "I've learned to say Kaopectate in nine languages . . . ," Bob Hope; ". . . and it was also how anxious all of us were to laugh," Ritz Brother, and "If they have the strength to smile, they smile. It makes a guy proud," Humphrey Bogart while visiting a hospital in Naples. Even Banzai charges and "Dear John letters" were not spared. "Jilted GIs in India organize the FIRST BRUSH OFF CLUB." We has often taken note of this humor. Now, to my delight, so has Charles Osgood (and who could do it better!) GIs during periods of great stress, that we can only imagine, managed to find humor wherever they found themselves. Charles Osgood refers to this directly in the dedication.All in all, this is my kind of book. It kept me rocking back and forth between amusement, amazement and outright thigh slapping. At last, another recognition of the amazing humor that came out of GIs during that time. Don't miss this one!