The Women's Divisions

     There were several women's divisions opened during the course of the war. The first opened to them was the Auxilary Corps. Women worked as clerks, vehicle drivers, messengers, and canteen workers. Despite the fact that they were replacing men on the job, they were only paid two thirds the amount than men.

 Women in the Auxilary Corps.

     In July, 1942, the Royal Canadian Air Force was opened to women in a division called the Candian Women's Auxilary Air Force (CWAAF). Women didn't fly in combat, but they were desperately needed as ground crews, which they willingly were. The Navy was also opened that month.

 A few women who served in the Air Force

     Finally, August 1945, the Army Corps. was opened. 21,000 women served in what they saw as the "real war". They were called WAACs (Women's Army Auxilary Corps.) Positions like cooks, nurses, non-combative pilots, mechanics, welders, and radar operators were all filled by women. Coastal defence and pilots for the Atlantic Ferry Command were important, they protected ships during the perilous Atlantic journey. It was a dangerous job; over 500 pilots died while on Ferry flight.

Women Mechanics

A Woman Nurse Near the Battlefront