The WAAF was not formed until June 1939, although the Women’s Royal Air Force had started at the same time, as the Royal Air Force in the First World War.
Before its formation in 1939 personnel of the WAAF had been on duty for nearly a year in the RAF companies of the ATS.
This experience revealed the need for women who could undertake a different range of duties from those needed by the Army, and so a separate women’sservice was formed under the direct command of the RAF.
As in other women’s service, the main objects of Recruits were accepted between the ages of seventeen and forty four.
They joined for the “duration” and had to be prepared to serve anywhere, at home or abroad.
The work done by the WAAF covered nearly every activity of the Service barring flying.
They handled balloons, no light job worked in operations rooms, where intelligence and quickness on the uptake were essential qualities, and at fighter stations acted as plotters, often under dangerous conditions.
During the Battle of Britain they won high praise from the men of the RAF for their steadfastness under bombardment.
They were closely connected with the best kept secret of the early days of the war, radio location, specially selected for their perfect eyesight, clear voices and integrity of character, working side by side with men through long hours and often under conditions of great strain.
The Service appealed to girls and women with initiative and the spirit of adventure.
In its ranks were women from all parts of the Empire, and many went overseas with Air Forces of the Dominions.
