The Army War Show

The Army War Show was a Provisional Task Force established in late May 1942 with the aim of showing the general public the military might of the  Army while raising money for the Army Emergency Relief Fund. The first live show was seventy years ago, on 12 June 1942, in Baltimore.  Audience were asked to come witness the “Battle of Baltimore.” The show incorporated weapons firing, tank manuevers, cavalry riding, and tactical formation demonstrations. There was even a jeep comedy routine and a jeep jamboree. The Army War Show toured eighteen US cities for the latter part of 1942, ending just before Christmas in Atlanta. The shows were seen by sellout crowds, even in enormous stadiums. 81,000 people attended the show at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in September. Who wouldn’t want to see a tank crush a car?! The New Orleans shows from 27 November-2 December, were held at City Park Stadium, the scene of the photograph above. The National Archives image taken on 27 November 1942 is so spectacular that we might have to bring it out again in November!

Post by Curator/Content Specialist Kimberly Guise.