2-690-772 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'Working on balloons', 1940. From Life in the W.A.A.F., booklet on the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), in Tuck's Better Little Book series. The WAAF, whose members were referred to as 'WAAFs', was the female auxiliary of the Royal Air Force during World War II, established in 1939. 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. [Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd, London, 1940]