Capturing the Women's Army Corps: The World War II Photographs of Captain Charlotte T. McGraw

Capturing Images of the Damage to the Landscape

76 • Captain McGraw’s Work Someimagesportraytwoalmostoppositethingsatonce.In these images, we see both the uncommon damage wrought by war as well as by common human activity. Some photos show WACs conversing and socializing as if they could be anywhere—except in a war zone! The introduction of this book discusses how photographers use irony to add depth and interest to their images, so part of the message in these photos is how WACs carry on “normal” living, even in extraordinary times and places Capturing Images of the Damage to the Landscape Algeria. Algeria. capturing images of the damage • 77 The Philippines. Algiers . . . camouflaged building situated on a jutting bit of land in the harbor, part of a French port. 78 • Captain McGraw’s Work Constantine, Africa. . . . [A] building that received a direct hit and yet a full-length mirror on the fourth floor was not even cracked. The Philippines. capturing images of the damage • 79 The Philippines. 80 • Captain McGraw’s Work Against a background that is evidence of the struggle for the recapture of Manila, T/5 C., Brooklyn, and S/Sgt. G., Westbury, L.I., find they have mutual interest in hometowns. T/5 C. is on duty at the Philippine Base Section and Sgt. G. is assigned to a Replacement Depot. T/5 C., daughter of Mrs. B. C., attended the Eastern District High School and is Jewish. Leaving their jobs after a day’s work at Headquarters, Philippine Base Section, Manila, are S/Sgt. B., Hempstead Gardens, L.I., N.Y.; Pfc. H., San Anselmos, Calif. and T/4 H., Weaverville, N.C. All three are assigned to the Information and Education Section. Sgt. B., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. V., Hempstead Gardens, attended high school there and was a hostess with Eastern Air Lines and also worked as a secretary with the National City Bank of New York. She is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Pfc. H., daughter of Mrs. B. T., attended Tamalpais High School, Mill Valley, Calif., and won a scholarship to the Dolores Premier School of Beauty Culture in San Francisco. She was a sales clerk and cashier in an Army Post Exchange. T/4 H., daughter of Mrs. W. H., attended Montreat College, Montreat, N.C., Mississippi State College for Women and the University of North Carolina. She was a high school physical education teacher and is a Presbyterian. capturing images of the damage • 81 North Africa. ...