Patricia Arnold

Take one spirited girl. Mix in a quirky sense of humor, an enormous love of life, and an overseas station. What do you get? You get Strictly G. I.!

Strictly G. I. is a collection of letters written by Cpl. Wan M. Renn, a member of the first group of Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps to sail to an overseas post during World War II. Compiled by Patricia Arnold, Wand’s granddaughter, these letters were written to Wanda’s mother and sister and express Wand’s views on fellow soldiers, life in the barracks, and the war itself.

Born in Michigan, Wanda trained in Iowa before sailing to North Africa and taking her position their as a typist. There she experienced the wonder of a new climate and culture, tasted the foods, visited the beaches, and absorbed the hot desert sun. It was while overseas that she met and married her husband, Al Bettinger, before returning home.

Discussion.

When the WAAC was first formed in 1942, its members were only allowed to hold non-combative positions. So, although the women of the corps traveled overseas and served in exotic stations, they never saw the front lines of the battlefield.

Because of this, Strictly G. I. is distinct from other compilations of war time letters. Wanda doesn’t write of blood and gore – of pain and passion, fear and death. Instead, she writes of walking the deserts of North Africa, tasting the strange fruits and foods of Africa, and working long night shifts. Because she isn’t constantly changing locations and addressing emergencies, the letters grow repetitive in some places, but are nevertheless sprightly and enjoyable.

I will say that I was somewhat disappointed to learn that after they returned to the states, Wanda and Al were divorced. After their apparent affection as described in their letters, this was shocking to me, especially considering that divorce was not nearly so popular in the forties and fifties as it is now.

Wanda writes of going out on dates with different soldiers. She only becomes “steady” with a few of them, one of whom she eventually marries. Wanda often writes her mother asking her to send stockings and other underclothes. She also describes a few other situations with a tad more freedom than I would have used, but oh well.

Conclusion. I’m glad to have this collection of letters as a part of my library!

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This is a good collection of personal letters written by a female serving in the military during WW II. During this era the US military didn’t give the same benefits or respect to the women who stepped up to serve their country. The letters are a great insight into a woman’s daily regime and work assignments and in Cpl. Wanda Renn’s case, an exciting assignment in North Africa. Wanda clearly resisted the conventional path women were usually steered in the 1940s. It’s that sense of adventure and curiosity that led her to join the Army.

As someone who is interested in genealogy, finding letters such as these are a true treasure to someone hunting down information about their family. It provides insight to the ancestor’s personality as well as details about the life they led. Hats off to Patricia Arnold for preserving a slice of her family history by publishing this book. If you are interested in WW II stories, particularly those detailing women in the service, this is an enjoyable light read.

On another note, small world that this is, I was astounded to read that Wanda Renn settled in Owosso, Michigan. The town is small and I don’t often read anything that mentions Owosso but I actually lived there for a short period after my mother passed away. My sister lived there and she took me in for several years. It was always a place that seemed locked in an earlier time period.

What do you make after reading a book like this? Something Wanda may have missed from the US. Such as an apple pie. As she was serving in North Africa and had a brush with French culture, let’s make the apple tart.… (lisätietoja)