The Years Back - 7, The Women's War (Episode Seven)

This episode of history series The Years Back focuses on the impact of World War II on Kiwi women. Through archive and interviews it looks at home front life: rationing (as recalled by Dame Pat Evison), fashion (‘Simplicity Styles’), and the arrival of American troops — around 1,400 women would later emigrate to the United States as war brides. It also shows the liberating effect of the war on many women as they took up the jobs left vacant by men serving overseas. Women joined the services too: with more than 8,000 enlisted across the army, navy and air forces.

Skilled in all the peaceful arts, women’s hands have tamed wild things and turn their use to peaceful ways of living. Now come new demands upon the quickness of their fingers. War needs women’s skill as well as well as man’s strong arms, women’s speed in execution of small motions as well as man’s ability to plan the great campaigns and spell the words of war.

– Narration from a wartime newsreel

Key Cast & Crew

Derek Wright

Director, Writer

David H Fowler

Producer, Writer

Geoffrey Scott

Executive Producer

Martin Barriball

Studio camera

Brian Shennan

Sound

Jacqueline Scott

Editor, Researcher