Wings for Victory Week facts for kids
Wings for Victory Weeks were special campaigns in Britain during World War II. Their main goal was to raise money to help the Royal Air Force (RAF) buy new airplanes. It was a way for regular people to support the war effort.
These campaigns were similar to others that helped different parts of the military. For example, there was "Salute the Soldier Week" for the British Army and "Warship Week" for the Royal Navy.
Raising Money for Planes
During the Wings for Victory Weeks, different areas across Britain, like counties and towns, were given a target amount of money to raise. It was like a friendly competition to see who could collect the most!
Local leaders who helped raise a lot of money were given special awards called plaques. These plaques were a way to thank them for their hard work and for helping their communities reach their goals.
Big Events and Huge Success
To help raise money, large events were often held. One big military event took place in Trafalgar Square in London in March 1943. People came together to show their support and donate money for the campaign.
The Wings for Victory Weeks were very successful. People across Britain raised an amazing amount of money. In total, they collected over £615 million. This was a huge sum of money at the time, showing how much people wanted to help the RAF get the planes they needed to win the war.
