'Send us more arms!' Bringing British women into war production through films in World War Two

We analyse four propaganda films designed to support women's conscription into British arms production in 1941-1942, examining their approach and comparing that to women's lived experience on entry to factories. The films recognised minor difficulties, stressed the support network availabl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Labor history 2018-03, Vol.59 (2), p.121-137
Main Authors:	Croucher, Richard, Houssart, Mark
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Factories industrial mobilisation Internal cinematic propaganda Labor disputes Military sales Motion pictures Production Propaganda Support networks The UK Women World War Two
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	We analyse four propaganda films designed to support women's conscription into British arms production in 1941-1942, examining their approach and comparing that to women's lived experience on entry to factories. The films recognised minor difficulties, stressed the support network available and the need for sacrifice. They sought to inspire but provided little information on matters important to women. In the factories, women experienced a range of substantive issues. While the propaganda was immediately successful in its main aim, its lacunae were significant since these issues generated increasing industrial conflict led by women.
ISSN:	0023-656X 1469-9702