Hello everyone! Today I have another WW2 effects today this time with the 47th state to be admitted to the union. I have had the pleasure, well okay, opportunity to go to New Mexico numerous times. The parts I've been to have been the most devoid, lifeless, and depressing parts of North America I have ever seen. No offense to any New Mexico dwellers on here, I like trees, I live in Arizona, and we at least have cactus and bushes out here. I digress here is New Mexico before, during, and after WW2, enjoy! Here is the link to WW2 effects: Wisconsin http://ww2f.com/threads/ww2-effects-georgia.70175/#post-816950 New Mexico Pre-WW2 Before WW2 in New Mexico, you either worked on a farm, ranch, or drilling rig. And in some ways, that' s still the case today. New Mexico's mostly dessert climate and harsh landscape scared off a multitude of companies and made development of the large state (highways, bridges, etc.) lengthy. Along with the slow process of modernizing New Mexico, there were only about 500,000 citizens living in New Mexico in 1940. New Mexico WW2 As Soon as the U.S was drawn into WW2, New Mexico went all in, right away. New Mexican's were some of the first Americans to see combat in WW2 (200th Coast Artillery, Clark Field Philippines). In only about 8 months, the USAAF had built 3 new bases (Kirltand, Cannon, and Halloman). This alone led to the creation and expansion of towns and cities near the surrounding bases to accommodate the G.I's. A vast majority of the Navajo Code talkers were from reservation's throughout the state. More military installation's were built at Clovis, Alamogordo, and Roswell, along with the most amount of POW camps in any other state. An escape attempt by 4 German Kriegsmarine officers on the 1st of November 1942 from Fort Stranton was the peak of excitement in New Mexico, at least at that time (All 4 were caught and sent to different prisons). New Mexico, more specifically Los Alamos was chosen to help with the Manhattan project, which would design and test the worlds first Nuclear bomb. The first ever nuclear explosion was July 16, 1945, less than a month before the other 2 bombs Fat Man and Little Boy would be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Along with the Nuclear bombs development, proximity fuses were tested extensively in New Mexico where they would prove to be a game changer in AA technology. New Mexico Post-WW2 2,032 New Mexicans were killed and about 8000 wounded during the war. New Mexico, which had previously been an afterthought, did it's fair share of contributing to the war effort and presented itself to be much more than a desert landscape full of oilers and cattle barrons. With the creation of so many military bases and installations, New Mexico's population went from a little over 500,000 in 1940, to about 945,000 in 1946. 40% of New Mexicans now work for the government or in the military in some capacity today. New Mexico's economy has been higher due to the government presence which has ensured job security for thousands of Americans.
I have been to Gallup, Luna, and Mule Creek all to get fireworks because the good ones are illegal here in Arizona.
Downtown Albuquerque in the 1930's... Lordsburgh New Mexico in the 1940's...... A B-24 Flying over Alamogordo (Now Halloman AFB) 1943..... Code talkers on the frontlines....... Japanese POW's in Roswell....... Featherston POW camp....... The Manhattan Project seal.....much work was done in Los Alamos, and the first ever atomic bomb was detonated in New Mexico.... Albuquerque today..... The outskirts of Santa Fe...... The Albuquerque ballon festival.......
Great photos JJ, thanks for posting. We have the Balloon Fiesta going on right now. Yesterday about 5 balloons got down real low and landed in the field right by my office. One almost hit the trees.
Everything north of Albuquerque is gorgeous rolling pinon country. South of ABQ is kind of dry and lifeless, but even there if you follow the Rio Grande south you are in a green wonderland for the entire stretch with 1000 year old pueblos, old Spanish towns like Magdalena, green fields and wildlife preserves. The river road itself is part of the old 'El Camino Real' (The Royal Road) and many of those missions go back 500 years and originated as stops to get from Mexico City to Santa Fe. Most people only see New Mexico from I-40 and that's a shame because it may be the most beautiful state in the union. .
Thanks KB for saving me from having to spank JJ. For some reason I think he's never been to Globe, Arizona, which is where my Dad worked immediately after he was demobilized. It's also why he worked to get a Regular Commission and reenter the Army. As he said, "it was no place to raise a family". Taos and Santa Fe are some of the loveliest places in the country, if not the world. Los Alamos and Albuquerque are a delight and White Sands, Las Cruces, and Mesilla are a hell of a lot nicer than El Paso or Tucson.
I love New Mexico. Great scenery, good food, and genuinely friendly people. I'm in Los Alamos from time to time. Photos from a thread I posted a few years ago. Take the "back route" from Albuquerque via Highway 550 and Highway 4 is highly recommended in lieu of the "direct" route of I-25 though Santa Fe. You'll pass through San Ysidro, Jemez Springs, and Valles Caldera before reaching Los Alamos.
I have in fact been to Globe....and it's awful. I have a skewed view of New Mexico, as I have never been to the pretty parts mentioned. It also doesn't help that I live in the desert, so I hold contempt and disinterest to any other desert area. The people are indeed wonderful, and the food (which is the same here in Arizona) is wonderful.
Anybody who makes an effort to come to New Mexico needs to try to see Carlsbad Caverns at least once in their lives. I’ve been there about three times in my life and would love to go back. I’ll even put up with the long aweful drive, especially the stretch between Roswell and the caves.
Im sure you would find this bit of desert interesting JJ...Uluru...biggest single rock in the world. Changes colour all day...7/8ths is under ground!
This is the flag of the Northern Territory...my flag. You can easily see the ochre that is a major part of the NT, the symbol in the middle is a desert pea: And then, of course the Southern Cross. And while we are at it... The NT Coat of Arms. Very deserty...And well protected by two big red Boomers and a wedge tail eagle...