A little different. First, they opposed Hitler, because he was not a communist. Then Hitler and Stalin signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, and the US commies did a 180 degree turn, and were all sweetness and light to the Nazis.
But *then*, with the Nazi invasion of Russia, the commies did another shameless 180, and passionately hated the Nazis again. Up to the point involving personal risk. However, many of them still were drafted.
When the military realized they were commies, most were shipped off to the Aleutian Islands to “count penguins” (yeah, I know, Antarctic). This was long after the Japanese attack there, and there was little concern that they would be back. It is important to note that other individuals who had fouled up terribly, like drunks who talked about classified operations, ended up there as well. Often quickly.
I would like to add one anecdote. Since times were dull in the Aleutians, and the army didn’t want them to get bored, at least one unit was tasked with learning if people could be trained to digest plant cellulose. This means that for a year or more, with their meals, they were required to eat lots and lots of healthy, if non-nutritious fiber.
Apparently they learned that people cannot digest cellulose.
First, they opposed Hitler, because he was not a communist. Then Hitler and Stalin signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, and the US commies did a 180 degree turn, and were all sweetness and light to the Nazis.
But *then*, with the Nazi invasion of Russia, the commies did another shameless 180, and passionately hated the Nazis again.
Exactly right. I didn’t want to go into more detail but am glad you did.
But who exactly were those sent to the Aleutian Islands?