The Second World War was a period of profound upheaval for the United Kingdom, not only on the battlefields but also on the home front. As bombs fell and men went off to fight, the people left behind faced a different kind of challenge: making do with less. Rationing,...
At the beginning of July 1940, the UK’s anti-aircraft strength stood at 157,139 men, 1,200 heavy and 549 light guns, and 3,932 searchlights. By May 1941, it had increased to just under 300,000 men, 1691 heavy and 940 light guns, and 4,532 searchlights. However, Sir...
On 14 May 1940, Winston Churchill appointed the Canadian-British Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook, as Minister of Aircraft Production (MAP). Beaverbrook, or Max Aitken has he was then, entered Parliament at the general election of December 1910, when he was elected...