Frederick Montague: Conjuring up war-winning aircraft

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By the time war was declared, Frederick Montague (1876-1966) was an experienced Member of Parliament. Prime Minister Winston Churchill appointed him as Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, before moving him to the newly created Ministry of Aircraft Production in 1941. The Ministry of Aircraft Production was formed by Churchill in response to the need to produce large numbers of aircraft to fight the Battle of Britain. The first minister was Lord Beaverbrook and Montague was his de facto deputy. 

 

Under their control, the Ministry presided over an enormous increase in British aircraft production. Once up and running, the British production rate was two and a half times Germany's fighter production. Combat aircraft like Spitfires and Hurricanes were churned out of factories at an incredible pace, along with other fighters, bombers, patrol aircraft and more.



A colourised image of a WW2 aircraft factory in England
(Source: Imperial War Museum)

 

Like many others of his generation, Montague had served on the Western Front in World War One; achieving the rank of Lieutenant in The Northamptonshire Regiment.

 

When Montague wasn’t leading efforts to conjure up the aircraft needed to defeat the Germans, he was a competent amateur magician. Before the war he served as vice-president of the London Magicians’ Club and even wrote a book of magic tricks, called Westminster Wizardry (1928). 

 

In recognition of his contribution to the war effort, Montague was made a Peer after the war and appointed to the House of Lords as 1st Baron Amwell. 



Frederick Montague MP
(Source: Creative commons licence)



Montague, Frederick. Westminster Wizardry, 1928.
(Source: Author's collection)


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The Colditz Conjurer tells the amazing true story of Flight Lieutenant Vincent ‘Bush’ Parker, Battle of Britain pilot and prisoner-of-war magician.

Written by the Magic at War team, The Colditz Conjurer is a remarkable tale of perseverance, courage and cunning in the face of adversity. It features over 55 original photographs and maps. 126 pages.


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