Description

It is too often forgotten that during World War II British women made a contribution to the war effort, in uniform and under military discipline, second to none among the combatant nations. At their peak strength, some half a million women were serving in the Auxiliary territorial Service, Women's Royal Naval Service, Women's Auxiliary Air Force, and the various nursing services. They shared the hardships and many of the dangers of their male comrades, on the Home Front and in overseas theatres of war; they came under fire; and they performed a vast and complex range of duties, many of which freed men for active combat service. For the first time this book records the uniforms and insignia worn by the women's services in all theatres of war, in more than 220 colour photographs of rare original items from private collections. Full-length studies, modelled 'live', are supported by many close-up views and with detailed text commentaries. Together they form an invaluable reference for collectors, modellers, wardrobe departments, curators, and all readers interested in the period or costume history.