Rawson, Andrew: Britain's Munitions Industry in the Second World War

This is the story of the British armaments industry during the Second World War. It begins with pre-war rearmament and describes how a "shadow industry" was established in response to German aggression. Discover how the industry was organized and planned, and learn about the processes involved in the research, design, and development of armaments. The account also sheds light on the management of recruitment, the deployment of skilled labor, and the relaxation of manufacturing skill standards to enable tens of thousands of unemployed men and women to join the workforce. The narrative explains the significance of the coal and oil industries as well as the development of the metals sector. It also addresses the immense need for imports and merchant shipping, alongside the American Lend-Lease Act. Follow how factories equipped the Royal Air Force for the Battle of Britain and re-equipped the British Army following the disaster at Dunkirk. Learn how shipyards worked around the clock on warships and merchant vessels, enabling the Royal Navy to defend the country and protect supply convoys. See how battlefield insights helped refine early factory designs for practical application. Discover how the war transformed relationships between the government, employers, trade unions, and the workforce. Learn how conflicts could lead to widespread industrial unrest as the cost of living rose and regulations tightened. The text also highlights how the drive to increase production led to improvements in workplace safety and welfare measures, as well as advancements in management and human resources. Finally, the Luftwaffe's attempt to cripple British industry through air raids is also covered. The story ends with a nation that had been stretched to its limits for the second time in thirty years before suddenly demobilizingleaving the British people once again facing the question of what the future held in store for them.