Florida During World War II
Few states were as directly affected by the war as Florida. Over a quarter of a million Floridians volunteered or were drafted into the military. Dozens of military bases were established or expanded in the state.

Agriculture was Florida's primary economic contribution to the war effort. The war also spurred Florida's economic development and led to a post war population surge. Wages improved and jobs became plentiful due to the large number of men in service. Women, Blacks and Hispanics moved into professions previously dominated by white males. Black Americans worked toward the "Double V" of victory abroad against fascism and victory at home against racial prejudice.

A tremendous emigration of military personnel into Florida occurred. Additionally, large numbers of civilians came to work in the various camps and bases that were established, and in the shipyards and other industries that expanded during the conflict. Many soldiers, sailors, and marines who served in Florida later returned to the state to live. Florida's population grew 46.1% during the decade of the 1940's, and expanded at an even more rapid pace in the 1950's. World War II helped serve as a catalyst for the state's explosive postwar growth.

Tourism
Florida's tourist industry was initially hurt by restrictions on travel, particularly during the early years of the war. Hotels and restaurants were taken over by the military for use as barracks and mess halls.

Later in the war the tourist trade returned, with Florida promoting itself as a vacation getaway for hard working, and now highly paid, civilian workers. "Like a soldier YOU need a civilian furlough," claimed the Daytona Chamber of Commerce.

Rationing
United behind the war effort as perhaps never before, Floridians joined both voluntary and mandatory efforts to conserve strategic war materials. Drives to collect rubber, scrap metal, rags, paper, and grease became popular, as did "victory gardens" and "meatless" days to stretch the nation's food resources. Every man, woman, and child in the state received a ration book limiting what could be purchased.

In early 1942, rubber became the first item to be rationed. Gasoline soon followed. In 1943 gasoline rationing became even more severe, with all forms of "pleasure driving" becoming illegal.

Beginning in April 1942, sugar was rationed, followed by coffee, meats, butter, canned goods, dried peas and beans, and a variety of other products. In addition to food, other consumer products such as shoes and clothing were rationed or restricted. Many items, including alcohol, were not rationed but were in chronically short supply.

Submarines Off the Florida Coast
The state's vulnerability became evident shortly after Pearl Harbor. In early 1942 German submarines opened an offensive, code named Operation Drumbeat, against the virtually undefended Allied shipping lanes along the east coast.

Before the carnage was over, nearly 400 ships had been sunk, and thousands of lives lost. Dozens of ships were torpedoed just off Florida's Atlantic coast, and others in the Gulf of Mexico. German submarine skippers used the light of coastal cities to silhouette their targets. Oil, debris, and dead bodies were mixed with the driftwood, seashells, and tourists along Florida's Atlantic Coast during that bloody first half of 1942.

Prisoners of War
German and Italian prisoners were housed in Florida prison camps during the latter stages of the war. Many Floridians grew accustomed to seeing truckloads of Germans or Italians traveling to and from work along rural Florida roads.

The War Ends
In the spring of 1945 the war ended in Europe, and Floridians joined the country in celebrating V-E (Victory in Europe) Day on May 8, 1945. Only Japan remained at war against Allied forces. Fears that a costly invasion of the Japanese home islands would be necessary proved unfounded as, shortly after U.S. forces dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August, Japan agreed to surrender terms. August 14, 1945 marked V-J (Victory over Japan) Day, with the formal surrender being signed on September 2, abroad the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

Series: S 419
Creator: State Defense Council.
Title: Subject files
Date: 1940-1946

The State Defense Council was created in November 1940 by Governor Frederick P. Cone to direct a concerted effort leading toward total preparedness for Florida. The Council was authorized in 1941 (Ch. 20213, Laws). Spessard Holland, as incoming Governor, headed the Council, with Carl Borerin serving as Vice Chairman.

The Council directed local, county, and regional defense councils. It was comprised of twelve divisions: Industry and Material Resources; Labor and Personnel; Civil Protection; Fire Protection and Water Supply; Agriculture; Food; Health and Housing; Communications and Transportation; Power and Fuel; Finance and Budget; Home Community Service; and Information, Education and Moral. The Council was terminated by Executive Order in 1945 with the ending of World War II.

Series: S 1316
Creator: State Defense Council. Division of Transportation and Communications.
Title: Florida Motorized Civil Unit records
Date: 1940-1943

The Florida Motorized Civil Unit was the brainchild of Guy H. Allen, Tampa branch manager of American Oil Company, and was created to counter possible invasion landings by German submarines in the Gulf of Mexico before the United States entry into World War II in 1941.

Series: M82- 8
Creator: Drew family.
Title: Papers
Date: 1856-1999

The Drew family papers trace the activities of a prominent Florida family through more than a century of its history. The collection details the lives of five generations of the Drew family, centering upon Florida Governor George F. Drew.