'Off Duty', c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton.

'Off Duty', c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton.

2-704-124 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'Off Duty', c1943. The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), whose members were referred to as 'WAAFs', was the female auxiliary of the British Royal Air Force during World War II. Its members did not serve as aircrew, but although they did not participate in active combat, they were exposed to the same dangers as any on the home front working at military installations. Among their duties were: crewing of barrage balloons, catering, meteorology, radar, aircraft maintenance, transport, communications duties including wireless telephonic and telegraphic operation. At its peak strength, in 1943, the number of WAAFs (members of the force) exceeded 180,000, with over 2,000 women enlisting per week. From "Wings On Her Shoulders", by Katharine Bentley Beauman, Late Fight Officer W.A.A.F. [Hutchinson & Co Ltd, London, New York, Melbourne, c1943]


Image Details


People Information

Creator
  1. Cecil Beaton, attributed to: British: Artist, photographer, designer
People Related
  1. Katharine Bentley Beauman: British: Writer, author

Medium
  1. Photograph

Category Hierarchy

History & Politics War & Military Wars, Battles & Events

Locations & Buildings Parks & Gardens

People Other

History & Politics War & Military Wartime

History & Politics War & Military Military Figures & Personnel


Digital Image Size

Pixel Dimensions (W x H) : 4446x4703
File Size : 61,259kb


Aliases

  1. 0580061656
  1. 2-704-124
  1. 2704124

Buy a Print  

Keywords - refine your search by combining multiple keywords below.