Imogen Corrigan gave an illustrated talk ‘Put that light out!’ on a searchlight battery in World War II manned entirely by women. She set the scene by describing the setting up of women’s sections of the Armed Forces for World War I.
With the coming of a second World War, women’s services were re-established. Initially women in the Army were used as clerks, drivers, etc. However, the General commanding anti-aircraft defences was happy to use women in more active roles. This led eventually to a searchlight unit manned by women. Searchlights showed up enemy bombers for our guns, but also provided a useful deterrent, forcing the enemy to fly higher and so bomb less accurately. Moreover, they sometimes saved the lives of our own aircrew in damaged planes, by directing them to safe landings.
Michael Lucas