Women in the Air Force

Women played an immense role during the Second World War; taking on roles they previously had never had the opportunity to. They took on roles not only to help civillians but also within the forces. In 1941, conscription for women started. This left women between the ages of 20 to 30 with the choice of joining the likes of the land army, nursing, the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service, which was a branch of the British Army), the WRNS (Women's Royal Naval Service, which was a branch of the British Navy), the WAAF (Women's Auxiliary Air Force) or factory work. Originally this was left to single women, however by 1943, 90% of single and 80% of married women were enlisted within some type of work that would contribute to the war effort.

On 28 June 1939, the Women's Auxiliary Air Force was established for duty with the Royal Air Force (RAF). The WAAF reached its peak in 1943 with 180,000 members; over 2,000 women were enlisting every week. All in all, over a quater of a million women served in the WAAF. Out of these thousands of women, not all were British; women also joined from overseas and subsequently there were 48 different nationalities enlisted within the WAAF. Much like many organisations that we see established during the Second World War, the WAAF also originated during the First World War. This was between 1918-1920 and was named the Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF). The organisation made a reappearance with the start of the Second World War.

So what did women do in the WAAF?

The work varied greatly. It started with cooking and administrative tasks and then proceeded to roles within driving, maintaining and repairing aircraft. Their roles did not end with this. As the war continued, they would eventually become involved telegraphy and the interception of codes and ciphers; this was at the famous Blechley Park. These women stationed there were essential in breaking the codes which would eventually lead to being a huge turning point within the Second World War. Women also worked on aeroplanes as mechanics, engineers, electricians, and fitters. They would assist in the production of weapons, building ships and aircraft. These were deemed as more masculine roles; roles in which women were never normally seen partaking in. As well as these roles mentioned, they also provided weather reports which would help the RAF and the men flying the planes. 

Women did not fly aircraft in their roles of the WAAF. They did, however, fly as part of the Air Transport Auxuliary (which was civilian). In the ATA, 150 women flew with them. In doing so, they delieverd new planes from factories to the RAF, and moving planes off in order for them to be able to receive any repairs that they needed.

Differing from work on and within aircraft, women in the WAAF were also included in the operation of barrage ballons which included the tasks of raising and lowering the balloons. Due to the mass size of these balloons, being 66 feet long and 30 feet high, it was a difficult task and yet they managed to complete it. They managed and maintained the huge protection instruments. This was a hard job, yet women managed to run the sites and crewing of the balloons, and in the end they were responsible for over 1,000 sites. These were essential to the war effort in the way they were imperative in trapping enemy aircraft and preventing them from being able to fly over Britain. 

The Battle of Britain was where women showed their huge importance within the Air Force. Their role was as plotters in operation rooms where aircraft was directed against the Luftwaffe and mapped out the various aircraft positions. Women also maintained crucial communication with air commands and helped to inform the positions of enemy aircraft.

Operation Corona was launched in 1943. This was established by the RAF and intended to confuse German nightfighters during bombing raids. German speakin WAAF radio operators would eavesdrop on German frequencies and attempt to countermand their orders. This in return would cause confusion. Native speakers and those who were able to speak German in a clear enough manner where they could easily be seen as a native speaker would impersonate German Air Defence officers and help to decrease the effectiveness of their defence. This proved to be beneficial to the British Air Force who were, in turn, able to gain an advantage towards enemy air craft.

What was the result of the WAAF?

The role of the WAAF was immense. Not only did it help to aid the war effort, but it also helped change the social status of women. Jobs were now taking on women in roles they were never deemed fit to have been employed in prior to the outbreak of war. This opened up new roles for women, increased their confidence, helped to build on their skills with the new opportunities presented, and allowed them to break away from their prior stereotypical roles of being a housewife. The WAAF helped to solidify these changes.

The WAAF was reformed in 1949 as the WRAF. It wasn't until 1994 that it was fully integrated into the RAF. Quite a long time when we consider it was originally established decades earlier in the First World War. After the Second World War had ended, the WAAF or WRAF had continued to grow closer to the RAF which in turn led to their merging. 

 To read more about the RAF and the role of women, click here.