Rolling Comfort: The History of WWII ARC Clubmobiles

Why donuts and coffee?

Because both were deeply “American”, prompting an immediate sense of home. And both were relatively easy to make in the field.

The harsh reality of being a Donut Dollie

During their busiest week, Group F served 34,575 cups of coffee and 80,100 donuts. Imagine those kind of quantities!

It can’t be understated how difficult this job was. While the ARC women weren’t running into machine gun fire, they were often in mortal danger as they worked closed to the front lines. They were groped, propositioned, and sometimes verbally and physically assaulted… all while being required to smile, flirt, and work for the comfort of the soldiers. Too fully understand the Clubmobile experience, we have to address the difficulties the women faced.

1. Dangerous and Harsh Conditions

• Many Clubmobile workers were stationed close to the front lines, meaning they were exposed to bombings, gunfire, and other dangers of war.
• Some traveled with advancing troops, meaning they faced the same risks as soldiers, including ambushes, artillery attacks, and landmines.
• In the Battle of the Bulge (1944-1945), some Clubmobiles were caught in the fighting, forcing the women to evacuate or endure freezing conditions alongside the troops.

2. Exhausting Workload and Lack of Resources

• Clubmobile units often had to serve thousands of soldiers daily with limited supplies and resources.
• Making doughnuts, coffee, and distributing goods was physically demanding, requiring long hours of standing, lifting heavy sacks of flour and sugar, and operating doughnut machines.
• In remote or rapidly moving areas, securing supplies like flour, sugar, and coffee could be difficult, forcing the workers to improvise meals.

3. Extreme Weather Conditions

• In Europe, Clubmobile workers dealt with harsh winters, where freezing temperatures made daily operations challenging. Some described trying to make coffee in below-zero temperatures while bundled in heavy coats.
• In the Pacific theater, heat and humidity caused exhaustion, dehydration, and increased the risk of tropical diseases like malaria.

4. Psychological and Emotional Toll

• Clubmobile women were often the last friendly face a soldier saw before battle. Many felt emotionally overwhelmed knowing that some of the men they served might not return.
• Witnessing the effects of war firsthand, including wounded soldiers and the destruction in liberated towns, caused emotional distress.
• Some workers suffered post-war trauma, struggling to process the experiences they had lived through.

5. Gender Challenges and Misconceptions

• As women in a warzone, they sometimes faced skepticism or resistance from male military personnel who questioned their role.
• Some were harassed or underestimated, with soldiers assuming they were there solely for entertainment rather than as morale-boosting workers.
• The idea of “Donut Dollies” as only cheerful, smiling figures could downplay the hard work and grit required to operate Clubmobiles under wartime conditions.

6. Living Conditions and Hygiene

• Clubmobile workers often had to sleep in trucks, tents, or temporary barracks, sometimes going days without a proper bed or shower.
• Facilities for women were often limited, and they had to make do with whatever was available—sometimes sharing space with soldiers or staying in bombed-out buildings.

7. Adjusting to Civilian Life After the War

• Many women struggled to return to a “normal life” after the war, having lived through intense and unique experiences.
• The contributions of Clubmobile women were often overlooked in post-war narratives, with little official recognition compared to male war veterans.
• Some workers found it difficult to talk about their experiences, especially the grief of seeing soldiers they had served not return.

They played a critical role in boosting morale and providing small comforts in some of the war’s most brutal conditions. They haven’t had the respect or recognition or attention they deserved. So let’s be sure to share their stories!

Uniforms

Clubmobile workers will be furnished the following items in addition to the basic issue: 1 pair leather fleece-lined boots, 1 pair coveralls, 1 pair warm gloves, 1 knitted helmet, 1 canteen cap, and 3 sets long woolen underwear

The uniforms of the Clubmobile women were crafted to be both functional and emblematic of their service:​

• Standard Attire: They wore tailored dresses or skirt suits made from durable fabrics. These uniforms were typically in shades of blue or gray, reflecting the ARC’s colors. The design ensured ease of movement, essential for the demanding tasks they performed.​

• Headgear: A matching garrison cap or beret accompanied the uniform, adorned with the distinctive red cross emblem at the front center, symbolizing their affiliation with the ARC.​collectarc.com

• Insignia and Patches: Uniforms featured the American Red Cross Service sleeve insignia on the left sleeve, positioned one inch below the shoulder seam. This patch prominently displayed the red cross emblem, signifying their role and dedication.​collectarc.com

• Footwear: Practical, low-heeled shoes were standard, suitable for the varied terrains and long hours the women often faced.​

• Accessories: Personal touches, such as red scarves, were sometimes added, with the ARC permitting such items if they were red, aligning with the organization’s branding. ​

Construction of the Clubmobiles

Paint schemes and markings

The Lincoln Donut maker

Restored Clubmobiles

Resources

Re-enactors:

https://www.redcross.org/local/california/northern-california-coastal/about-us/news-and-events/news/american-red-cross-women-frontlines-world-war-ii-clubmobile-crews.html