"The Desert Battalion" and Mrs Edward G. Robinson

I might be stretching the "Women at War" post but in my opinion it is warranted with this grouping.
I am sure most people who have studied WW2 have heard of the Hollywood Canteen and the great things Hollywood and its stars did for the men in uniform. There also was another little known Hollywood group that was lead by Mrs. Edward G. Robinson who brought girls out to the dessert for dances and entertainment of the troops.

I was lucky enough to get her entire scrapbook collection documenting the creation of "The Desert Battalion". It includes hundreds of letters and pictures from ordinary soldiers to the President of the United States. When I saw the grouping it was being just thrown in a pile and not given the respect it truly deserved. It is my only "non military" grouping but in my opinion one of the most important because of what they were doing,

They would also hold a dance at a place named "Casa Dorinda" in Montecito Ca. There are hundreds of signatures of serviceman that attended on these beautiful grounds. It has now been turned into a very high ended independent living apartments. She also wrote a small book that I have a copy that she would hand out when visiting hospitals etc. Based on the letters the drawings were done by Disney but he did not want any credit for the work.

Very interested in hearing your feedback regarding the work Mrs Robinson and these women did..

 

That's really cool find. Glad to see it found a good home.

 

My mother was a member of the Desert Battalion and had her membership card stolen toward the end of the war.
There is a group photo of the members - is there a way to see a better copy or a copy of that photo? I would love to be able to find her face. She had a few stories about being part of the group during WW2.
Thank you for posting and saving the scrapbook.

 

Good find of impressive significance of the largely untold story of women in the war.

 

So many stories that are forgotten because they get lost through time.

 

And so many veterans wanted to forget their experience and get on with life. War is no picnic so it's a big thing when a vet opens up and talks.

 

Hi there... My Mom just passed away at the age of 100 last week and was a member of the Desert battalion. I have everything you can imagine. Let me know and maybe I can help you.