Sinews of War - War Factory

Many workers stayed with the same companies they worked for before the war but others were moved to new factories and employers. All were encouraged to keep silent about what they were making as German spies were expected to be looking for industrial secrets. Many workplaces had their own Home Guard units to protect them from intruders.

Bombed factory and woman salvaging papers (IWM neg P2512 and 2251)



With the threat of bombing, factory buildings were often camouflaged and roof "spotters" were organised to warn of the approach of enemy aircraft. 'Blackout', the covering of windows and doors to prevent light escaping, made working conditions very difficult and the benefits of working in a brand new factory building were lost when windows were painted over and sealed, reducing natural light and ventilation.

“There are no windows. The roofs are darkened. The factory inside is like a colossal low bright cave, lit with innumerable mercury-vapour lamps that produce a queer greenish-white mistiness of light. In there, three in the morning and three in the afternoon look just the same. Nothing tells you except the rhythm of work whether it is noon or midnight…..for this is cave life.”
J B Priestley, 'Daylight on Saturday'

'A Munitions Factory' by Frederick Elwell RA (cat no IWM LD4908)

Important factories were often ‘dispersed’ by being moved from their well-known premises (known also to the enemy) to another location, thus preventing disruption through bombing. Conversion work was often carried out on a very tight schedule, as when the Birmingham Small Arms Company took over a glove factory in 1941,

“Permission had been given for a glove order to be completed, and at one time three millwrights were standing round three machines on which the girls were working. As each finished her job, her machine was disconnected and trundled out” Donovan Ward, 'The Other Battle'