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Private Snafu in Fight Tools World War Two training film originally release in 1943

Oct 21st 2016

The entire country united to win the war after the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Lionel Trains made compass components and Bachman Trains made glasses to help combat aviators. Mel Blanc, the beloved voice actor of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, Sylvester the Cat, Yosemite Sam, Foghorn Leghorn, Marvin the Martian, Pepé Le Pew, Speedy Gonzales, Wile E. Coyote, Road Runner, and the Tasmanian Devil voiced the new character Private Snafu. Private Snafu was the goofy but lovable private that always getting to trouble. The army training videos encouraged the new recruits to be squared away and not like Private Snafu. Quickly and effectively training new soldiers was crucial to war effort. The size of task attempted and accomplished was mind blogging. The United States Army manpower in 1940 was 269,023. By 1945, over 8.2 million soldiers were serving in the United States Army. That is more people in 1945 than the combined populations of Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, and Dallas today. Given the enormous need to train so many people so quickly, it is not surprising that Army developed training aids such as Private Snafu. Trains and Toy Soldiers has tremendous respect for the men and women that fought and won World War II. Unfortunately, fewer of these warriors remain with us today, but Trains and Toy Soldiers will post content that honors their tremendous effort.