185. Connecticut Industries Unite for WWII Victory: Pratt, Read & Co Gliders

Grating the Nutmeg

In this episode, we uncover a Connecticut World War II story that features airplanes without engines. Sound crazy? You’ll learn how these engineless gliders helped beat the Nazis. Executive Producer Mary Donohue will also talk to the author of a new book that details the role that over 45 Connecticut companies played in producing the ammunition, weapons and machines that the United States needed as part of the massive war effort during World War II.

Her guests today are Connecticut author Sharon Cohen and Melissa Josefiak, Executive Director of the Essex Historical Society.

Cohen has authored several books. Her new book Connecticut Industries Unite for WWII Victory was published in 2023 and placed second in the 2024 New England Book Festival.

Its available from High Point Publishing:

www.highpointpub.com

. Sharon Cohen is available for book talks and signings. Contact her at [e-mail]

The Essex Historical Society has new publications on the three Essex villages-Ivoryton, Centerbrook and Essex, where much of today’s story takes place.

For information on the publications and programs of the Essex Historical Society, go to their website at https://www.essexhistory.org/ and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

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You won’t want to miss our Summer issue with new places to go and lots of day trip ideas!

image: Courtesy of Essex Historical Society

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Executive producer Mary Donohue is an award-winning author, historic preservationist and architectural historian. She can be reached at [e-mail]

This episode of Grating the Nutmeg was produced by Mary Donohue and engineered by Patrick O’Sullivan at https://www.highwattagemedia.com/

Join us in two weeks for our next episode of Grating the Nutmeg, the podcast of Connecticut history.