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Содержание
Введение
Завод по снаряжению боеприпасов — это производственное предприятие, специализирующееся на снаряжении различными видами боеприпасов, такими как бомбы, снаряды, патроны, пиротехника и средства дымовой завесы. В Великобритании во время обеих мировых войн XX века большинство работников составляли женщины. Во время Первой мировой войны завод по снаряжению боеприпасов, принадлежащий Министерству боеприпасов, назывался Национальным заводом по снаряжению боеприпасов. Во время Второй мировой войны завод по снаряжению боеприпасов, принадлежащий Министерству снабжения, назывался Королевским заводом по снаряжению боеприпасов (Royal Filling Factory, RFF) или Королевским оружейным заводом (Royal Ordnance Factory, ROF). Все они являлись частью организации Королевских оружейных заводов, принадлежащей Министерству снабжения. Снаряжение дымовых гранат и других пиротехнических устройств также осуществлялось производителями фейерверков, особенно во время Второй мировой войны, но они специально не рассматриваются в данной статье.
A filling factory was a manufacturing plant that specialised in filling various munitions, such as bombs, shells, cartridges, pyrotechnics, and screening smokes. In the United Kingdom, during both world wars of the 20th century, the majority of the employees were women. In World War I, a filling factory belonging to the Ministry of Munitions was known as a National Filling Factory. In World War II, a filling factory belonging to the Ministry of Supply was known as a Royal Filling Factory (RFF), or a Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF). These were all part of the Royal Ordnance Factory organisation, owned by the MoS. The filling of smoke screen canisters and other pyrotechnic devices was also carried out by fireworks manufacturers, particularly in World War II, but these are not specifically covered by this article.
Сырье
Сырье для заводов по снаряжению боеприпасов, такое как тротил, гексоген или пороха, такие как кордит, производилось на Национальных заводах по производству взрывчатых веществ (Первая мировая война) или на Заводах по производству взрывчатых веществ (Вторая мировая война) и доставлялось по железной дороге на заводы по снаряжению для заполнения боеприпасов, произведенных на других предприятиях. Для заливки высокочувствительных взрывчатых веществ, таких как тротил, их необходимо было расплавить, а расплав заливался горячим в нагретые корпуса снарядов. Необходимо было следить за отсутствием пустот в залитом взрывчатом заряде, так как это могло привести к детонации снаряда в стволе орудия при выстреле. Снаряды и патроны для артиллерии во время Второй мировой войны в Великобритании производились как инженерными заводами, так и частными сталелитейными и кузнечными компаниями. Предполагается, что пустые латунные гильзы для стрелкового оружия изготавливались на Фабриках стрелкового оружия. Заводы по снаряжению производили собственные пиротехнические изделия, такие как детонаторы и дымовые завесы, поскольку многие из них были чувствительными материалами. Затем они заполнялись или собирались непосредственно в боеприпасы. Также на этих заводах шили хлопковые мешки для наполнения капсюльными составами или кордитовыми зарядами.
The filling factories' raw materials, such as TNT, RDX, or propellants, such as cordite, were manufactured in National Explosives Factories (World War I) or Explosive ROFs (World War II) and transported, by railway trains, to the filling factories for filling into munitions, produced at other plants. High explosives, such as TNT, had to be heated to melt them and the liquid was poured hot into heated shell cases. Care had to be taken to ensure that there were no voids in the poured explosive charge as this could lead to the shell detonating in the gun barrel during firing. Shells and gun cartridges were manufactured in the UK, in World War II, by both the Engineering ROFs and private steel works / forging companies. It is believed that the empty brass cartridge cases for small arms were made at the Small Arms Ammunition Factories. The filling factories produced their own pyrotechnics, such as fuses and screening smokes, as many of these were sensitive materials. They were then filled or assembled directly into the munitions. They also would have sewn cotton bags for filling with primer composition or cordite charges.
Национальные заводы по производству наполнителей
В начале войны снаряжение боеприпасов осуществлялось на Арсенале в Вулвиче, однако вскоре стало ясно, что требуется значительное увеличение производства боеприпасов. Исследование 2015 года, проведенное Historic England, рассматривало 170 национальных фабрик, созданных в Англии Министерством боеприпасов в начале Первой мировой войны (охватывающих 174 площадок), среди них были национальные заводы по снаряжению, включая национальный завод по производству взрывателей, 5 заводов по снаряжению для траншейной войны и 3 национальных завода по снаряжению и сборке химических снарядов. Увеличение снаряжения мелкокалиберных боеприпасов было достигнуто созданием 4 государственных патронных фабрик. Большинство национальных заводов по снаряжению следовали схожим проектам с большими участками, на которых располагались небольшие, легкие здания, хорошо разделенные и соединенные приподнятыми переходами с легкими железнодорожными путями, чтобы материалы можно было перевозить между зданиями на тележках. Снаряды, взрыватели, упаковочные ящики и взрывчатые вещества доставлялись по железной дороге к границе фабрики, а готовые боеприпасы отправлялись по железной дороге. Все работы по снаряжению выполнялись в большой "чистой зоне" преимущественно женской рабочей силой. Люди, входящие в чистую зону, должны были переодеться и оставить все, что могло вызвать искру, не только спички и зажигалки, но и весь металл, даже заколки для волос. Один рабочий-мужчина был оштрафован на 5 фунтов стерлингов за то, что у него было 2 гвоздя, которые он использовал для замены потерявшейся пуговицы на брюках. В то время как некоторые из заводов были полностью построены и управлялись Министерством боеприпасов, другие имели местное управление. Например, NFF 10 был построен на 109 акрах земли, принадлежащей компании White and Poppe Ltd, которая перешла от производства двигателей к производству корпусов взрывателей и гнезд для 18-фунтовых снарядов. В сентябре 1915 года компания White and Poppe получила контракт на строительство завода по снаряжению взрывателей, и когда он был завершен в сентябре 1916 года, он находился под их управлением. К сожалению, проблема с отказами взрывателей привела к прекращению производства в декабре 1916 года. После выявления неисправности и реорганизации завода производство возобновилось в феврале 1917 года как NFF 21, но все еще под управлением White and Poppe. Когда в ноябре 1918 года было заключено перемирие, производство было быстро прекращено, а женская рабочая сила уволена. Несколько площадок, с значительно сокращенным штатом мужчин, использовались для утилизации нежелательных боеприпасов. После очистки большинство зданий, оборудования и запасов были проданы на публичных аукционах в начале 1920-х годов.
At the start of the War munition filling was carried out at Woolwich Arsenal, however it was soon realised that a massive increase in production of munitions was required. A 2015 study by Historic England looked into the 170 National Factories created in England by the Ministry of Munitions in the early part of WW1 (covering 174 locations), among these were the National Filling Factories, including a National Fuse Factory, 5 Trench Warfare Filling Factories, and 3 National Factories for Filling and Assembling Chemical Shells. Filling of small bore ammunition was increased by the creation of 4 government cartridge factories. Most of the national filling factories followed similar designs with large sites with small lightweight buildings well separated and connected by raised walkways which had lightweight rail lines so materials could be wheeled between buildings on trolleys. Shells, fuses, packing cases, and explosives were brought in by rail to the edge of the factory, and completed munitions left by rail. All the filling work was carried out within the large 'clean area' by a large, mainly female, workforce. People entering the clean area had to change clothes and leave behind anything that could strike a spark, not just matches and lighters but all metal, even hairclips one male worker being fined £5 for being in possession of 2 nails that he had used to replace a lost button on his trousers. While some of the factories were entirely built and managed by the Ministry of Munitions, others had local management. For instance NFF 10 was built on 109 acres of land owned by White and Poppe Ltd who had changed from engine production to manufacturing fuse bodies and 18pdr shell sockets. White and Poppe was given the contract for building the fuse filling plant in September 1915, and when completed in September 1916 it ran under their management. Unfortunately a problem with fuse failures caused a cessation of production in December 1916. The fault identified and the factory reorganised it restarted production in February 1917 as NFF 21, but still under White and Poppe management. When the Armistice came in November 1918, production was rapidly terminated and the female workforce laid off. A few sites, with much reduced male staff levels, were used for decommissioning unwanted ammunition. After clean up, most of the buildings, equipment, and stores were sold off by public auctions in the early 1920s. Name Location From Peak Workforce Products Notes Royal Arsenal Woolwich 17th Century 80000 Varied The only filling factory in UK in 1914, eventually closing in 1967. Covering 1285 acres. National Filling Factory No. 1 Barnbow, Leeds April 1916 16000 Quick Fire Ammunition (18pdr to 6 inch) 296 acres. Of the 13315 employees in Mar 1917, 12150 were women. Produced 50,000 shells per week by August 1918. An explosion in December 1916 killed 34 women. Since 2016 it is a scheduled monument (No 1415057) as the most complete surviving filling factory. National Filling Factory No. 2 Aintree, Liverpool Jan 1916 8599 Quick Fire Ammunition (18pdr to 6 inch) 175 acres. Partly built to complete 18pdr shells shipped in from USA via Liverpool National Filling Factory No. 3 Willesden Lane, Perivale Dec 1915 Components (fuses, detonators, gaines and primers) 120 acres. In August 1917 a central experimental unit was setup to study methods for filling and assembling for all the NFFs. National Filling Factory No. 4 Georgetown, Glasgow Jan 1916 11088 Quick Fire Ammunition (13pdr, 18pdr, 3.4 inch, 12 inch shells) Area 250 acres, then second factory increased it to 540 acres. National Filling Factory No. 5 Quedgeley, Gloucester Mar 1916 6364 18pdr, 4.5 inch, 60pdr shells, cartridges and primers 308 acres. Site cleared in mis 1920s, but was reused in 1939 as RAF Quedgeley National Filling Factory No. 6 Long Eaton, Chilwell Feb 1916 7500 High explosive shells (4.5 inch to 15 inch shells) 208 acres. Suffered serious explosion 1 July 1918, 134 killed, 250 injured. Work restarted the next day. Chilwell produced over 19 million artillery shells by the end of the war. National Filling Factory No. 7 Hayes Oct 1915 12500 Components (fuses, Gaines) plus 18pdr shells also 4.5 and 6 in howitzer Also known as Emergency Factory No.2. 200 acres. Had a separate 93acre explosives magazine at Northolt. This had a capacity of 2000 tons of explosive, and about 100 tons a day were delivered to Hayes by rail. National Filling Factory No. 8 Sumner St, Southwark Sept 1915 Components (101 103 fuses, Gaines) 60,000 sq feet factory also known as Emergency Factory No. 1 National Filling Factory No. 9 Banbury Apr 1916 1463 Mainly high explosive shells (over 4.5 inch), some naval mines and chemical filling (HS) 142 acres. Used until 1924 for breaking down unwanted ammunition. National Filling Factory No. 10 Whitmore Park, Coventry Mar 1916 3864 Components (fuses, Gaines) for 18 pdr shells 109 acres. Managed by White and Poppe Ltd. Due to a number of fuse failures in late 1916, once remedied this was renamed as NFF 21 National Filling Factory No. 11 Abbey Wood Jan 1916 Components (fuses, Gaines) Managed by Kings Norton Metal Co, works built adjacent to their factory. Closed cApril 1918. National Filling Factory No. 14 Rotherwas, Hereford Nov 1916 ~8000 High explosive shells (over 4.5 inch) 519 acres. Built to provide backup capacity should Chilwell or Morecambe be out of commission. Changed to breaking down unwanted ammo after the war at least until 1921. National Filling Factory No. 18 Burry Port, Pembrey Jun 1915 1050 Filling 4.5in, 6in and 8in shells Opened in June 1915, later nationalised. From May 1917 changed to disassembling defective munitions to recover components Operated by Nobel Explosives. By November 1918, Chittening had produced 85,424 mustard gas shells; but at a human cost of 1213 cases of associated illness, including two deaths which were later attributed to influenza. National Filling Factory No. 24 Balmoral Road, Watford 2in and 3in mortar rounds and rifle grenades 28 acres. Also known as Trench Warfare Filling Factory No 1 at Watford. Listed as NFF 24 in sale details Jan 1919. National Filling Factory No. 25 Bushey Mill Lane, Callowland, Watford May 1916 Heavy trench mortar and aerial bombs. Some chemical filling. Watford No 2 Trench Warfare Filling Factory. 40 acres, 26 sheds, 300 ton magazine. Chemical filling moved to Greenford Chemical Shell Assembly Station in Jan 1917. National Filling Factory No. 28 Greenford Jan 1917 Chemical shell filling Also known as Chemical Shell Assembling Station. Formerly Greenford dye works. Trench Warfare Filling Factory Slade Green, Erith Oct 1915 2 inch mortars, used after the war for dismantling munitions Probably had an NFF designation. 14 acre site near to the Thames Munition Works Trench Warfare Filling Factory Denaby, Rotherham Jan 1916 3 inch Stokes mortar bombs Probably had an NFF designation. Built near to (and managed by) British Westfalite's factory Trench Warfare Filling Factory Stevenage Road, Fulham Aug 1915 3 inch Stokes mortar bombs, ball grenades Prossibly NFF 27. Nationalisation of W. E. Blake Explosives Loading Co factory in Feb 1916. 3 acres with separate explosives magazines at Worm Holt Farm, Shepherd's Bush. Trench Warfare Filling Factory Barlby Road, Selby 1916 234 3 inch 'Russian' shell Ardol Ltd (who had a carbon monoxide by product of food manufacture), built and operated a factory to make phosgene and load into shells. Nationalised in June 1916. Shell filling moved elsewhere c1917. National Fuse Factory Chaul End, Luton Mid 1917 3000 Fuses 28 acre site built, staffed, and managed by George Kent Ltd who were already making munitions at Biscot Road, Luton
The recruitment of workers for the factories was specifically aimed at women, and in general the workforce at the filling factories was 80 to 90% women. An advert in the papers in January 1917 was aimed at recruiting 8000 women workers for a munitions filling factory in North West London (Willesden Employment Exchange). They had to be aged 20 to 40, and live not more than an hour away, though a lodgings register was available. The work was generally 54 hours a week, 'but may be more', and the pay was 27 shillings, day and night shifts had to be undertaken by all workers, a fortnight of each at a time. For more information on women in munitions during WW1 see munitionettes.
Название Местоположение От Пиковая численность персонала Продукция Примечания
Royal Arsenal Woolwich 17-й век 80000 Разнообразная Единственная фабрика по снаряжению в Великобритании в 1914 году, окончательно закрыта в 1967 году. Занимает 1285 акров.
National Filling Factory No. 1 Barnbow, Leeds Апрель 1916 16000 Боеприпасы быстрого огня (18pdr до 6 дюймов) 296 акров. Из 13315 сотрудников в марте 1917 года 12150 были женщинами. Производила 50 000 снарядов в неделю к августу 1918 года. В декабре 1916 года в результате взрыва погибли 34 женщины. С 2016 года является памятником (No 1415057) как наиболее сохранившаяся фабрика по снаряжению.
National Filling Factory No. 2 Aintree, Liverpool Январь 1916 8599 Боеприпасы быстрого огня (18pdr до 6 дюймов) 175 акров. Частично построена для завершения 18-фунтовых снарядов, доставленных из США через Ливерпуль.
National Filling Factory No. 3 Willesden Lane, Perivale Декабрь 1915 – Компоненты (взрыватели, детонаторы, штыри и праймеры) 120 акров. В августе 1917 года был создан центральный экспериментальный участок для изучения методов снаряжения и сборки для всех НФФ.
National Filling Factory No. 4 Georgetown, Glasgow Январь 1916 11088 Боеприпасы быстрого огня (13pdr, 18pdr, 3,4-дюймовые, 12-дюймовые снаряды) Площадь 250 акров, затем второй завод увеличил ее до 540 акров.
National Filling Factory No. 5 Quedgeley, Gloucester Март 1916 6364 18pdr, 4,5 дюйма, 60pdr снаряды, патроны и праймеры 308 акров. Площадка была очищена в середине 1920-х годов, но в 1939 году была повторно использована как RAF Quedgeley.
National Filling Factory No. 6 Long Eaton, Chilwell Февраль 1916 7500 Высоко взрывные снаряды (от 4,5 дюйма до 15 дюймов) 208 акров. 1 июля 1918 года произошел серьезный взрыв, 134 убитых, 250 раненых. Работа возобновилась на следующий день. Chilwell произвела более 19 миллионов артиллерийских снарядов к концу войны.
National Filling Factory No. 7 Hayes Октябрь 1915 12500 Компоненты (взрыватели, штыри) плюс 18pdr снаряды, а также 4,5 и 6-дюймовые гаубицы 200 акров. Также известна как Emergency Factory No.2. Имела отдельный 93-акровый склад взрывчатых веществ в Нортхолте. Его емкость составляла 2000 тонн взрывчатых веществ, и около 100 тонн в день доставлялись в Хейс по железной дороге.
National Filling Factory No. 8 Sumner St, Southwark Сентябрь 1915 – Компоненты (взрыватели 101 103, штыри) 60 000 кв. футов фабрика, также известная как Emergency Factory No. 1.
National Filling Factory No. 9 Banbury Апрель 1916 1463 В основном высоко взрывные снаряды (более 4,5 дюйма), некоторые военно-морские мины и химическое снаряжение (HS) 142 акра. Использовалась до 1924 года для разборки нежелательных боеприпасов.
National Filling Factory No. 10 Whitmore Park, Coventry Март 1916 3864 Компоненты (взрыватели, штыри) для 18-фунтовых снарядов 109 акров. Управлялась компанией White and Poppe Ltd. Из-за ряда отказов взрывателей в конце 1916 года, после устранения неисправностей, она была переименована в NFF 21.
National Filling Factory No. 11 Abbey Wood Январь 1916 – Компоненты (взрыватели, штыри) Управлялась компанией Kings Norton Metal Co, работы построены рядом с их фабрикой. Закрыта примерно в апреле 1918 года.
National Filling Factory No. 14 Rotherwas, Hereford Ноябрь 1916 ~8000 Высоко взрывные снаряды (более 4,5 дюйма) 519 акров. Построена для обеспечения резервной мощности в случае выхода из строя Chilwell или Morecambe. После войны была переоборудована для разборки нежелательных боеприпасов, по крайней мере, до 1921 года.
National Filling Factory No. 18 Burry Port, Pembrey Июнь 1915 1050 Снаряжение 4,5-дюймовых, 6-дюймовых и 8-дюймовых снарядов Открыта в июне 1915 года, позже национализирована. С мая 1917 года переоборудована для разборки дефектных боеприпасов для восстановления компонентов. Эксплуатировалась компанией Nobel Explosives. К ноябрю 1918 года Chittening произвела 85 424 снарядов с ипритом; но с человеческими потерями в 1213 случаев связанных с этим заболеваний, включая две смерти, которые позже были приписаны гриппу.
National Filling Factory No. 24 Balmoral Road, Watford – – 2-дюймовые и 3-дюймовые минометные снаряды и гранаты 28 акров. Также известна как Trench Warfare Filling Factory No 1 в Уотфорде. Указана как NFF 24 в деталях продажи от января 1919 года.
National Filling Factory No. 25 Bushey Mill Lane, Callowland, Watford Май 1916 – Тяжелые минометные и авиационные бомбы. Некоторые химические снаряжения. Watford No 2 Trench Warfare Filling Factory. 40 акров, 26 сараев, 300-тонный склад. Химическое снаряжение было перенесено на Greenford Chemical Shell Assembly Station в январе 1917 года.
National Filling Factory No. 28 Greenford Январь 1917 – Химическое снаряжение Также известна как Chemical Shell Assembling Station. Ранее красильная фабрика Greenford.
Trench Warfare Filling Factory Slade Green, Erith Октябрь 1915 – 2-дюймовые минометы, использовались после войны для разборки боеприпасов Вероятно, имела обозначение NFF. Площадь 14 акров рядом с Thames Munition Works.
Trench Warfare Filling Factory Denaby, Rotherham Январь 1916 – 3-дюймовые бомбы для миномета Стокса Вероятно, имела обозначение NFF. Построена рядом с (и управлялась) фабрикой British Westfalite.
Trench Warfare Filling Factory Stevenage Road, Fulham Август 1915 – 3-дюймовые бомбы для миномета Стокса, гранаты Возможно NFF 27. Национализация фабрики W. E. Blake Explosives Loading Co в феврале 1916 года. 3 акра с отдельными складами взрывчатых веществ на Worm Holt Farm, Shepherd's Bush.
Trench Warfare Filling Factory Barlby Road, Selby 1916 234 3-дюймовые «русские» снаряды Ardol Ltd (которая имела побочный продукт производства монооксида углерода при производстве продуктов питания) построила и эксплуатировала фабрику для производства фосгена и загрузки его в снаряды. Национализирована в июне 1916 года. Снаряжение было перенесено в другое место примерно в 1917 году.
National Fuse Factory Chaul End, Luton Середина 1917 3000 Взрыватели 28-акровая площадка, построенная, укомплектованная и управляемая компанией George Kent Ltd, которая уже производила боеприпасы на Biscot Road, Luton.
At the start of the War munition filling was carried out at Woolwich Arsenal, however it was soon realised that a massive increase in production of munitions was required. A 2015 study by Historic England looked into the 170 National Factories created in England by the Ministry of Munitions in the early part of WW1 (covering 174 locations), among these were the National Filling Factories, including a National Fuse Factory, 5 Trench Warfare Filling Factories, and 3 National Factories for Filling and Assembling Chemical Shells. Filling of small bore ammunition was increased by the creation of 4 government cartridge factories. Most of the national filling factories followed similar designs with large sites with small lightweight buildings well separated and connected by raised walkways which had lightweight rail lines so materials could be wheeled between buildings on trolleys. Shells, fuses, packing cases, and explosives were brought in by rail to the edge of the factory, and completed munitions left by rail. All the filling work was carried out within the large 'clean area' by a large, mainly female, workforce. People entering the clean area had to change clothes and leave behind anything that could strike a spark, not just matches and lighters but all metal, even hairclips one male worker being fined £5 for being in possession of 2 nails that he had used to replace a lost button on his trousers. While some of the factories were entirely built and managed by the Ministry of Munitions, others had local management. For instance NFF 10 was built on 109 acres of land owned by White and Poppe Ltd who had changed from engine production to manufacturing fuse bodies and 18pdr shell sockets. White and Poppe was given the contract for building the fuse filling plant in September 1915, and when completed in September 1916 it ran under their management. Unfortunately a problem with fuse failures caused a cessation of production in December 1916. The fault identified and the factory reorganised it restarted production in February 1917 as NFF 21, but still under White and Poppe management. When the Armistice came in November 1918, production was rapidly terminated and the female workforce laid off. A few sites, with much reduced male staff levels, were used for decommissioning unwanted ammunition. After clean up, most of the buildings, equipment, and stores were sold off by public auctions in the early 1920s. Name Location From Peak Workforce Products Notes Royal Arsenal Woolwich 17th Century 80000 Varied The only filling factory in UK in 1914, eventually closing in 1967. Covering 1285 acres. National Filling Factory No. 1 Barnbow, Leeds April 1916 16000 Quick Fire Ammunition (18pdr to 6 inch) 296 acres. Of the 13315 employees in Mar 1917, 12150 were women. Produced 50,000 shells per week by August 1918. An explosion in December 1916 killed 34 women. Since 2016 it is a scheduled monument (No 1415057) as the most complete surviving filling factory. National Filling Factory No. 2 Aintree, Liverpool Jan 1916 8599 Quick Fire Ammunition (18pdr to 6 inch) 175 acres. Partly built to complete 18pdr shells shipped in from USA via Liverpool National Filling Factory No. 3 Willesden Lane, Perivale Dec 1915 Components (fuses, detonators, gaines and primers) 120 acres. In August 1917 a central experimental unit was setup to study methods for filling and assembling for all the NFFs. National Filling Factory No. 4 Georgetown, Glasgow Jan 1916 11088 Quick Fire Ammunition (13pdr, 18pdr, 3.4 inch, 12 inch shells) Area 250 acres, then second factory increased it to 540 acres. National Filling Factory No. 5 Quedgeley, Gloucester Mar 1916 6364 18pdr, 4.5 inch, 60pdr shells, cartridges and primers 308 acres. Site cleared in mis 1920s, but was reused in 1939 as RAF Quedgeley National Filling Factory No. 6 Long Eaton, Chilwell Feb 1916 7500 High explosive shells (4.5 inch to 15 inch shells) 208 acres. Suffered serious explosion 1 July 1918, 134 killed, 250 injured. Work restarted the next day. Chilwell produced over 19 million artillery shells by the end of the war. National Filling Factory No. 7 Hayes Oct 1915 12500 Components (fuses, Gaines) plus 18pdr shells also 4.5 and 6 in howitzer Also known as Emergency Factory No.2. 200 acres. Had a separate 93acre explosives magazine at Northolt. This had a capacity of 2000 tons of explosive, and about 100 tons a day were delivered to Hayes by rail. National Filling Factory No. 8 Sumner St, Southwark Sept 1915 Components (101 103 fuses, Gaines) 60,000 sq feet factory also known as Emergency Factory No. 1 National Filling Factory No. 9 Banbury Apr 1916 1463 Mainly high explosive shells (over 4.5 inch), some naval mines and chemical filling (HS) 142 acres. Used until 1924 for breaking down unwanted ammunition. National Filling Factory No. 10 Whitmore Park, Coventry Mar 1916 3864 Components (fuses, Gaines) for 18 pdr shells 109 acres. Managed by White and Poppe Ltd. Due to a number of fuse failures in late 1916, once remedied this was renamed as NFF 21 National Filling Factory No. 11 Abbey Wood Jan 1916 Components (fuses, Gaines) Managed by Kings Norton Metal Co, works built adjacent to their factory. Closed cApril 1918. National Filling Factory No. 14 Rotherwas, Hereford Nov 1916 ~8000 High explosive shells (over 4.5 inch) 519 acres. Built to provide backup capacity should Chilwell or Morecambe be out of commission. Changed to breaking down unwanted ammo after the war at least until 1921. National Filling Factory No. 18 Burry Port, Pembrey Jun 1915 1050 Filling 4.5in, 6in and 8in shells Opened in June 1915, later nationalised. From May 1917 changed to disassembling defective munitions to recover components Operated by Nobel Explosives. By November 1918, Chittening had produced 85,424 mustard gas shells; but at a human cost of 1213 cases of associated illness, including two deaths which were later attributed to influenza. National Filling Factory No. 24 Balmoral Road, Watford 2in and 3in mortar rounds and rifle grenades 28 acres. Also known as Trench Warfare Filling Factory No 1 at Watford. Listed as NFF 24 in sale details Jan 1919. National Filling Factory No. 25 Bushey Mill Lane, Callowland, Watford May 1916 Heavy trench mortar and aerial bombs. Some chemical filling. Watford No 2 Trench Warfare Filling Factory. 40 acres, 26 sheds, 300 ton magazine. Chemical filling moved to Greenford Chemical Shell Assembly Station in Jan 1917. National Filling Factory No. 28 Greenford Jan 1917 Chemical shell filling Also known as Chemical Shell Assembling Station. Formerly Greenford dye works. Trench Warfare Filling Factory Slade Green, Erith Oct 1915 2 inch mortars, used after the war for dismantling munitions Probably had an NFF designation. 14 acre site near to the Thames Munition Works Trench Warfare Filling Factory Denaby, Rotherham Jan 1916 3 inch Stokes mortar bombs Probably had an NFF designation. Built near to (and managed by) British Westfalite's factory Trench Warfare Filling Factory Stevenage Road, Fulham Aug 1915 3 inch Stokes mortar bombs, ball grenades Prossibly NFF 27. Nationalisation of W. E. Blake Explosives Loading Co factory in Feb 1916. 3 acres with separate explosives magazines at Worm Holt Farm, Shepherd's Bush. Trench Warfare Filling Factory Barlby Road, Selby 1916 234 3 inch 'Russian' shell Ardol Ltd (who had a carbon monoxide by product of food manufacture), built and operated a factory to make phosgene and load into shells. Nationalised in June 1916. Shell filling moved elsewhere c1917. National Fuse Factory Chaul End, Luton Mid 1917 3000 Fuses 28 acre site built, staffed, and managed by George Kent Ltd who were already making munitions at Biscot Road, Luton
The recruitment of workers for the factories was specifically aimed at women, and in general the workforce at the filling factories was 80 to 90% women. An advert in the papers in January 1917 was aimed at recruiting 8000 women workers for a munitions filling factory in North West London (Willesden Employment Exchange). They had to be aged 20 to 40, and live not more than an hour away, though a lodgings register was available. The work was generally 54 hours a week, 'but may be more', and the pay was 27 shillings, day and night shifts had to be undertaken by all workers, a fortnight of each at a time. For more information on women in munitions during WW1 see munitionettes.
Набор рабочих на фабрики был специально ориентирован на женщин, и в целом рабочая сила на заводах по снаряжению составляла 80–90% женщин. Объявление в газетах в январе 1917 года было направлено на набор 8000 женщин-работниц на фабрику по снаряжению боеприпасов…
At the start of the War munition filling was carried out at Woolwich Arsenal, however it was soon realised that a massive increase in production of munitions was required. A 2015 study by Historic England looked into the 170 National Factories created in England by the Ministry of Munitions in the early part of WW1 (covering 174 locations), among these were the National Filling Factories, including a National Fuse Factory, 5 Trench Warfare Filling Factories, and 3 National Factories for Filling and Assembling Chemical Shells. Filling of small bore ammunition was increased by the creation of 4 government cartridge factories. Most of the national filling factories followed similar designs with large sites with small lightweight buildings well separated and connected by raised walkways which had lightweight rail lines so materials could be wheeled between buildings on trolleys. Shells, fuses, packing cases, and explosives were brought in by rail to the edge of the factory, and completed munitions left by rail. All the filling work was carried out within the large 'clean area' by a large, mainly female, workforce. People entering the clean area had to change clothes and leave behind anything that could strike a spark, not just matches and lighters but all metal, even hairclips one male worker being fined £5 for being in possession of 2 nails that he had used to replace a lost button on his trousers. While some of the factories were entirely built and managed by the Ministry of Munitions, others had local management. For instance NFF 10 was built on 109 acres of land owned by White and Poppe Ltd who had changed from engine production to manufacturing fuse bodies and 18pdr shell sockets. White and Poppe was given the contract for building the fuse filling plant in September 1915, and when completed in September 1916 it ran under their management. Unfortunately a problem with fuse failures caused a cessation of production in December 1916. The fault identified and the factory reorganised it restarted production in February 1917 as NFF 21, but still under White and Poppe management. When the Armistice came in November 1918, production was rapidly terminated and the female workforce laid off. A few sites, with much reduced male staff levels, were used for decommissioning unwanted ammunition. After clean up, most of the buildings, equipment, and stores were sold off by public auctions in the early 1920s. Name Location From Peak Workforce Products Notes Royal Arsenal Woolwich 17th Century 80000 Varied The only filling factory in UK in 1914, eventually closing in 1967. Covering 1285 acres. National Filling Factory No. 1 Barnbow, Leeds April 1916 16000 Quick Fire Ammunition (18pdr to 6 inch) 296 acres. Of the 13315 employees in Mar 1917, 12150 were women. Produced 50,000 shells per week by August 1918. An explosion in December 1916 killed 34 women. Since 2016 it is a scheduled monument (No 1415057) as the most complete surviving filling factory. National Filling Factory No. 2 Aintree, Liverpool Jan 1916 8599 Quick Fire Ammunition (18pdr to 6 inch) 175 acres. Partly built to complete 18pdr shells shipped in from USA via Liverpool National Filling Factory No. 3 Willesden Lane, Perivale Dec 1915 Components (fuses, detonators, gaines and primers) 120 acres. In August 1917 a central experimental unit was setup to study methods for filling and assembling for all the NFFs. National Filling Factory No. 4 Georgetown, Glasgow Jan 1916 11088 Quick Fire Ammunition (13pdr, 18pdr, 3.4 inch, 12 inch shells) Area 250 acres, then second factory increased it to 540 acres. National Filling Factory No. 5 Quedgeley, Gloucester Mar 1916 6364 18pdr, 4.5 inch, 60pdr shells, cartridges and primers 308 acres. Site cleared in mis 1920s, but was reused in 1939 as RAF Quedgeley National Filling Factory No. 6 Long Eaton, Chilwell Feb 1916 7500 High explosive shells (4.5 inch to 15 inch shells) 208 acres. Suffered serious explosion 1 July 1918, 134 killed, 250 injured. Work restarted the next day. Chilwell produced over 19 million artillery shells by the end of the war. National Filling Factory No. 7 Hayes Oct 1915 12500 Components (fuses, Gaines) plus 18pdr shells also 4.5 and 6 in howitzer Also known as Emergency Factory No.2. 200 acres. Had a separate 93acre explosives magazine at Northolt. This had a capacity of 2000 tons of explosive, and about 100 tons a day were delivered to Hayes by rail. National Filling Factory No. 8 Sumner St, Southwark Sept 1915 Components (101 103 fuses, Gaines) 60,000 sq feet factory also known as Emergency Factory No. 1 National Filling Factory No. 9 Banbury Apr 1916 1463 Mainly high explosive shells (over 4.5 inch), some naval mines and chemical filling (HS) 142 acres. Used until 1924 for breaking down unwanted ammunition. National Filling Factory No. 10 Whitmore Park, Coventry Mar 1916 3864 Components (fuses, Gaines) for 18 pdr shells 109 acres. Managed by White and Poppe Ltd. Due to a number of fuse failures in late 1916, once remedied this was renamed as NFF 21 National Filling Factory No. 11 Abbey Wood Jan 1916 Components (fuses, Gaines) Managed by Kings Norton Metal Co, works built adjacent to their factory. Closed cApril 1918. National Filling Factory No. 14 Rotherwas, Hereford Nov 1916 ~8000 High explosive shells (over 4.5 inch) 519 acres. Built to provide backup capacity should Chilwell or Morecambe be out of commission. Changed to breaking down unwanted ammo after the war at least until 1921. National Filling Factory No. 18 Burry Port, Pembrey Jun 1915 1050 Filling 4.5in, 6in and 8in shells Opened in June 1915, later nationalised. From May 1917 changed to disassembling defective munitions to recover components Operated by Nobel Explosives. By November 1918, Chittening had produced 85,424 mustard gas shells; but at a human cost of 1213 cases of associated illness, including two deaths which were later attributed to influenza. National Filling Factory No. 24 Balmoral Road, Watford 2in and 3in mortar rounds and rifle grenades 28 acres. Also known as Trench Warfare Filling Factory No 1 at Watford. Listed as NFF 24 in sale details Jan 1919. National Filling Factory No. 25 Bushey Mill Lane, Callowland, Watford May 1916 Heavy trench mortar and aerial bombs. Some chemical filling. Watford No 2 Trench Warfare Filling Factory. 40 acres, 26 sheds, 300 ton magazine. Chemical filling moved to Greenford Chemical Shell Assembly Station in Jan 1917. National Filling Factory No. 28 Greenford Jan 1917 Chemical shell filling Also known as Chemical Shell Assembling Station. Formerly Greenford dye works. Trench Warfare Filling Factory Slade Green, Erith Oct 1915 2 inch mortars, used after the war for dismantling munitions Probably had an NFF designation. 14 acre site near to the Thames Munition Works Trench Warfare Filling Factory Denaby, Rotherham Jan 1916 3 inch Stokes mortar bombs Probably had an NFF designation. Built near to (and managed by) British Westfalite's factory Trench Warfare Filling Factory Stevenage Road, Fulham Aug 1915 3 inch Stokes mortar bombs, ball grenades Prossibly NFF 27. Nationalisation of W. E. Blake Explosives Loading Co factory in Feb 1916. 3 acres with separate explosives magazines at Worm Holt Farm, Shepherd's Bush. Trench Warfare Filling Factory Barlby Road, Selby 1916 234 3 inch 'Russian' shell Ardol Ltd (who had a carbon monoxide by product of food manufacture), built and operated a factory to make phosgene and load into shells. Nationalised in June 1916. Shell filling moved elsewhere c1917. National Fuse Factory Chaul End, Luton Mid 1917 3000 Fuses 28 acre site built, staffed, and managed by George Kent Ltd who were already making munitions at Biscot Road, Luton
The recruitment of workers for the factories was specifically aimed at women, and in general the workforce at the filling factories was 80 to 90% women. An advert in the papers in January 1917 was aimed at recruiting 8000 women workers for a munitions filling factory in North West London (Willesden Employment Exchange). They had to be aged 20 to 40, and live not more than an hour away, though a lodgings register was available. The work was generally 54 hours a week, 'but may be more', and the pay was 27 shillings, day and night shifts had to be undertaken by all workers, a fortnight of each at a time. For more information on women in munitions during WW1 see munitionettes.
Ссылки на Первую мировую войну
Кокрофт, Уэйн Д. (2000). Опасная энергия: археология производства пороха и военных взрывчатых веществ. Свиндон: English Heritage.
Cocroft, Wayne D. (2000). Dangerous Energy: The archaeology of gunpowder and military explosives manufacture. Swindon: English Heritage. .
Ссылки на Вторую мировую войну
Кокрофт, Уэйн Д. (2000). Опасная энергия: археология производства пороха и военных взрывчатых веществ. Свиндон: English Heritage. Хэй, Иэн. (1949). R. O. F. История королевских оружейных фабрик: 1939–1948. Лондон: Канцелярия Его Величества. Хорнби, Уильям (1958). Фабрики и заводы. (История Второй мировой войны: Гражданская серия Великобритании). Лондон: HMSO и Longmans, Green and Co. Кохан, C. M. (1952). Сооружения и здания. (История Второй мировой войны: Гражданская серия Великобритании). Лондон: HMSO и Longmans, Green and Co.
Cocroft, Wayne D. (2000). Dangerous Energy: The archaeology of gunpowder and military explosives manufacture. Swindon: English Heritage. Hay, Ian. (1949). R. O. F. The Story of the Royal Ordnance Factories: 1939–48. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. Hornby, William (1958). Factories and Plant. (History of The Second World War: United Kingdom Civil Series). London: HMSO and Longmans, Green and Co.
Kohan, C. M. (1952). Works and Buildings. (History of The Second World War: United Kingdom Civil Series). London: HMSO and Longmans, Green and Co.