Secrecy in Schenectady
"Schenectady citizens set a pattern for the rest of the country and gained the title of 'The City that Kept a Secret' by concealing all news of the M7 tank killers being made
at the American Locomotive Co. this past year."
Schenectady Gazette, Apr. 10, 1943
at the American Locomotive Co. this past year."
Schenectady Gazette, Apr. 10, 1943
Secrecy in the PlantWindows in the shops were painted black to prevent espionage even though it was summer. Workers had to get used to working in low light and uncomfortable heat.
"Each man who worked on government work had a special badge. No other man, without that color badge, could work on government work or could go to a different department." Angelo Perretta, ALCO worker, 1993 National AclaimALCO and Schenectady received national acclaim because of the success of the M7. Don Godard, a radio announcer, declared on radio station WEAF on January 4, 1943, "For months, thousands of employees of the American Locomotive plant up in Schenectady were engaged in the production of a secret weapon. Practically all of them knew what it was they were building - the most destructive anti-tank device the world had ever seen... It came to the Germans as a complete surprise. A complete surprise thanks to the fact that thousands of employees... were able to keep their lips buttoned up since June."
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"Loose Lips Might Sink Ships"
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War propaganda in the US warned the citizens of Schenectady of the dangers of "careless talk."
Posters Courtesy of the New Hampshire State Library and the National WWII Museum
Posters Courtesy of the New Hampshire State Library and the National WWII Museum