Wartime Industry

An illustrated introduction to how British industries, supported by thousands of newly recruited women, strove to meet the nation's wartime need for munitions, armour, shipping, uniforms and aircraft.

During the Second World War (1939–45), Britain stretched every sinew of its industrial might to fend off a Nazi invasion. As the nation stood alone against Fortress Europe, it harnessed, coordinated and maximised its resources, firstly to defend itself and then to help liberate Axis-occupied countries. Wartime Industry uses informative text and beautiful illustrations to show how the men and women of Britain met this unprecedented demand for military and home-front materials.

It explores the work of Lord Beaverbrook's highly organised Ministry of Aircraft Production; the 'Shadow Factories' that enabled manufacturers such as Vauxhall and Rootes to make tanks and aircraft; the Royal Ordnance Factories that produced firearms and explosives; the 'Bevin Boys' conscripted to work in the coal mines; the Women's Timber Corps; and war workers – who, together, helped the nation to make it.

About the Author

Neil R. Storey is an award winning historian who specialises in the impact of war on British society during the first half of the twentieth century. He lectures all over the UK, including at Imperial War Museum, English Heritage and National Trust sites. He has his own archive of over 20,000 original photographs to help illustrate his lectures and publications. Neil has written over 40 books, countless articles for a variety of national periodicals and journals and regularly features on television and radio documentaries as guest expert including BBC's Who Do You Think You Are?