Wings for Victory Week

From the collection of

Screen Archive South East at the University of Brighton collects, preserves, catalogues and provides public access to its collection of films and magic lantern slides. The collection charts the rise of screen culture in the region and the nation and captures many aspects of life, work and creativity in the South East from the late 19th century to the present day. It is available for research, screenings, creative re-use and commercial access.

Wings for Victory Week

Screen Archive South East at the University of Brighton
Banstead
1943-03-20
Silent
7m

The great and the good assemble to open Banstead ATC's new headquarters followed by a Wings for Victory Week parade with cadets, bands, armoured cars and enthusiastic civilians.

This film from 1943 starts with the officlal opening ceremony of the Air Training Corps' new headquarters at Banstead House near Guildford, conducted by Air Marshal Sir Bertine E Sutton. After the speeches we see a Wings for Victory Week event featuring more speeches, various military vehicles and cadets, both boys and girls, marching along Garratt's Lane, Banstead. An RAF display is held in a local park before an enthusiastic crowd of civilian spectators.

Keep the Wheels Turning

The State seized control of much of British industry at the start of the war. Mills and factories now produced munitions, planes, tanks and uniforms, while mines yielded the coal to power it all.

Production went into overdrive. Workforces in key industries like coalmining and shipbuilding were classed as 'reserved occupations' and spared the draft, while an army of women took to the machines to meet the constant demand for munitions and uniforms. In hindsight, we can see that the foundations of the postwar settlement were being laid. The wartime economy was formidable: workers pulled together to meet ever-increasing demand for resources and government oversight kept the motors running.