Post by 2nd Bat on Oct 23, 2010 22:42:09 GMT -5
As most of you know ground positions and vehicles (even buildings and air fields were covered by netting to provide concealment. These nets were made in assorted sizes and were woven with burlap scrim in squared patterns of varied colors that obcurred objects or helped material blend into treelines. These were effective when used for concealment both on the ground and especially from the air.
It's hard to find surplus WW2 camo netting and when you do it is usually quite expensive. I decided to make some since I had appropriate sized netting and lots of burlap scrim.
I had the netting hanging out on the back deck and had been plugging away on it when my wifes 83 year aunt stopped by. She saw the netting and much to my wifes surprise said "wow what's with the WW2 camo nets? My wife embarrasingly explained that her husband is a nut job." Rose Nakamura (whos husband was with the 100th Infantry of the 442nd) was actually quite excited and came out to help string the scrim. She really appeared to know what she was doing and explained that while interned at Tule Lake Japanese camp in the US, her job as a teenager was to make camo netting. She said it brought back memories.
We had a great conversation. What a wonderful lady she is! The Japanese Americans on the west coast even those (like her) who were second and third generation Americans and US citizens were locked up in desert camps here in the west. It was I believe the most unconstitutional act in American history. She was less Japanese than Eisenhower was German! Or Sinatra was Italian. Still they were imprisoned for 3 to 4 years of the war. In spite of the tragic circumstances the attitudes on virtually all of my wifes family is one of...Oh well...make the best of it. The young men who left to serve joined the integrated 442 all Japanese Infantry regiment which was the highest decorated unit in the war. (The "Go For Broke" had something to prove and by God they did!) Her husband Tets and two of her brothers served all were highly decorated although virtually never spoke of it. This pride and devotion is amazing.
I think this incredible attititude is why Japanese Americans have contributed so much to this country through the generations.
Auntie Rose was actually quite excited about helping me string the netting and still did so with incredible speed and ability.
It was a fun day. My wife just shook her head and said we were both nuts!
It's hard to find surplus WW2 camo netting and when you do it is usually quite expensive. I decided to make some since I had appropriate sized netting and lots of burlap scrim.
I had the netting hanging out on the back deck and had been plugging away on it when my wifes 83 year aunt stopped by. She saw the netting and much to my wifes surprise said "wow what's with the WW2 camo nets? My wife embarrasingly explained that her husband is a nut job." Rose Nakamura (whos husband was with the 100th Infantry of the 442nd) was actually quite excited and came out to help string the scrim. She really appeared to know what she was doing and explained that while interned at Tule Lake Japanese camp in the US, her job as a teenager was to make camo netting. She said it brought back memories.
We had a great conversation. What a wonderful lady she is! The Japanese Americans on the west coast even those (like her) who were second and third generation Americans and US citizens were locked up in desert camps here in the west. It was I believe the most unconstitutional act in American history. She was less Japanese than Eisenhower was German! Or Sinatra was Italian. Still they were imprisoned for 3 to 4 years of the war. In spite of the tragic circumstances the attitudes on virtually all of my wifes family is one of...Oh well...make the best of it. The young men who left to serve joined the integrated 442 all Japanese Infantry regiment which was the highest decorated unit in the war. (The "Go For Broke" had something to prove and by God they did!) Her husband Tets and two of her brothers served all were highly decorated although virtually never spoke of it. This pride and devotion is amazing.
I think this incredible attititude is why Japanese Americans have contributed so much to this country through the generations.
Auntie Rose was actually quite excited about helping me string the netting and still did so with incredible speed and ability.
It was a fun day. My wife just shook her head and said we were both nuts!