Munitions

As men joined the armed forces, women helped fill gaps in the workforce. They worked in munitions factories, transport and administrative roles, including as secretaries supporting the armed forces. Producing ammunition connected civilian work directly to fighting: soldiers could not continue their operations without supplies made at home.

Munitions factories became a major employer of women. They produced the ammunition and equipment that troops needed: recruiting soldiers was not enough if the army could not supply them. By 1918, munitions production was one of the largest sources of women’s employment.