Wichita, Kansas in 1942 – The Year Many of Us Were Born

In 1942, Wichita, Kansas, played a significant role in the United States’ efforts during World War II. Here’s an overview of what was happening in Wichita during that time.

1. Aircraft Industry: Wichita was a hub for aircraft manufacturing during World War II. Companies like Boeing, Cessna, and Beechcraft were located in Wichita and were producing various military aircraft to support the war effort. Many of our parents were working in the industry in 1942. The Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber was one of the most notable aircraft manufactured in Wichita during this period.
2. Boeing Plant 1: Boeing’s Wichita Plant 1 was a major facility involved in the production of aircraft. The plant produced thousands of B-29 bombers, which were essential for long-range strategic bombing missions.
3. The Personnel Building at Boeing Plant 2 opened in January 1942 and at that time Boeing Wichita was hiring 150 workers per day.
4. Workforce: The demand for skilled labor in the aircraft industry led to an influx of workers to Wichita. The city’s population grew, and many people moved to Wichita to take up jobs in aircraft manufacturing. As the war progressed, women played an increasingly significant role in the workforce, taking on jobs traditionally held by men. During the early war years, our mothers were delivering and caring for us, which caused them to drop out of the workforce at least for a while. Some men, including some of our fathers, who worked in essential war industries received draft deferments during the earliest years of the war. 
5. Training and Education: Given the rapid expansion of the aircraft industry, training programs were established to prepare workers for specialized roles in manufacturing and maintenance. The high schools, Wichita Area Technical College and Wichita State University all provided education and training to support the war effort.
6. War Bonds and Support: The residents of Wichita actively participated in war bond drives to raise funds for the war effort. The city also contributed to various initiatives to support servicemen and women, including sending care packages and providing support to families of those serving overseas.
7. Rationing and Home Front Efforts: Like the rest of the United States, Wichita experienced rationing of essential goods such as fuel, food, and textiles.  One Class of 1960 mom recalled that she managed just fine with only one pound of sugar per month, but really missed meat. Whenever news came of a butcher selling meat, she and her friends rushed to buy whatever they could get, usually hamburger. With rations permitting only four gallons of gas per month, they could not drive far in search of places to use or trade their ration cards. Citizens participated in various home front efforts, such as victory gardens, where they grew their own vegetables to support food supply.
8. Military Presence: In addition to the manufacturing activities, Wichita had military installations and bases that played a role in the war effort. The Wichita Municipal Airport supplied a secure mid-continent location for coordinating defense operations as well as playing a significant role in training and operations.
9. Defense Housing Units: Well over 5,000 new housing units were started in 1942 in Wichita to house defense workers in support of support the on-going war effort.  In addition, Plainview was building 4,382 new housing units. A number of our classmates remember growing up in Plainview and starting school there. 
10. Oil Industry:  Petroleum products were an important part of the war effort and Wichita played its part with the Derby Oil refinery (circa 1920) and with significant oil production from multiple oil fields near Wichita. 
11. High Schools: Wichita had two high schools, East and North.
12. Civic Engagement: The war effort brought the community together. Civic organizations, schools, and local groups organized events and activities to support the troops and boost morale.
13. Population: The population of Wichita in 1942 was 132,915.

Overall, during 1942, Wichita was a bustling center of aircraft production and played a crucial role in the war effort through its manufacturing capabilities, workforce, and support for servicemen and women. The legacy of this era continues to influence the city’s identity as an aviation and manufacturing hub.