Figure 1.--Thr "New York Times Mid-Week Pictorial" had an article about the British Women's Land Army. This "New York Times" feature was arguably one of the finest and most prolific publishers of contemporary World War I photographs of any American periodical. It was the World War I equivalent of what "Harper's Weekly" did during the Civil War. This issue was dated May 3, 1917.

Britain in its long history had never before dispatched a massive army to the Continent. It became obvious early in the War that the small BEF deployed August 1914 wold be insufficent against the massive conscrip German army. A recritment drive enduced larger numbers oo men to volunteer, but the lossess ad needs for manpower finally forced Britain to introduce conscription--the first such effort in British history. This created a severe labor shortage in both industy and agriculture. To fill the gap, women began working factory jobs that had previously been filled by men. To provide agriciltural labor, the Government established the Women's Land Army (WLA). Some tradition-minded farmers resisted the idea of using women farm hands. The Board of Trade dispsatched agricultural organizing officers to convince the farmers that the WLA girls and women, most from towns and cities, would be useful. They were genrally successful and about 260,000 WLA recruits were hard at work on Britain's farms (1917). The WLA is often considered a footnote of the War, but it was in fact of some importance. There was no comparable program in Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Germany. And each of these countries experienced severe food shortages that in the end affected their ability to make war.

Military Manpower

Britain in its long history had never before dispatched a massive army to the Continent. It became obvious early in the War that the small BEF deployed August 1914 wold be insufficent against the massive conscrip German army. A recritment drive enduced larger numbers oo men to volunteer, but the lossess ad needs for manpower finally forced Britain to introduce conscription--the first such effort in British history.

Labor Shortage

This created a severe labor shortage in both industy and agriculture. To fill the gap, women began working factory jobs that had previously been filled by men. Women before World War I generally did not work outside the hoe, especially married women. And there was a very limited range of jobs which before the War were considered suitable for women.

Food Shortages

Food becane increasingly scarce, especially meat. People laregly relied on potatos, but even potatoes were sometimes in short supply. Sugar was a special problem because almost all of the sugar supply was imported. The avaiability of both meatr and sugar fell precipitously. The public by late 1917 was becoming increasingly concerned about the declining availability of food. Panic buying and hordening resulted in serious shortages.

Women's Land Army Created

To provide agriciltural labor, the Government established the Women's Land Army (WLA). The Board of Agriculture set up the Land Army when it became clear that the War would not be quickly ended and receuitment efforts began to drain farm labor. Tey began to place recruits in 1915. Most of the rcruits were young unmarried women and referred to as Land Girls.

Farmer's Attitudes

Some tradition-minded farmers resisted the idea of using women farm hands. The Board of Trade dispsatched agricultural organizing officers to convince the farmers that the WLA girls and women, most from towns and cities, would be useful. They were generally successful.

Magnitude

About 260,000 WLA recruits were hard at work on Britain's farms (1917).

Importance

The WLA is often considered a footnote of the War, but it was in fact of some importance. There was no comparable program in Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Germny. And each of these countries experienced severe food shortages that in the end affected their ability to make war.

World War II

The WLA was such a success in World War that it was reformed in Worlkd War II when agricultural labor was again needed.

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Created: 10:02 PM 8/16/2007
Last updated: 10:02 PM 8/16/2007