Guadalcanal  (South Pacific theater.) US Marine c. 1942-1943.  Paul Goldfinger photo from the documentary.

The battle with the Japanese army on Guadalcanal resulted in 1,600 Americans killed, 4200 wounded, and many more dead of tropical diseases. Conditions were horrible.

On the home front, England and the US, there were many nostalgic songs and movies made to help sooth those caught up in the fear and terror.

I recall near the ending  of the marvelous film Saving Private Ryan the soldiers were waiting for an attack to begin while listening to Edith Piaf singing “La Vie En Rose.” The contrast between the soft comfort of that music with the brutal fighting that would soon begin was startling.

Vera Lynn from England made a career out of her renditions of WWII music.

VERA LYNN: