The Battle of Britain

The battle begins, summer 1940
The battle begins, summer 1940

After defeating France in June 1940, Hitler assumed Britain would sue for peace but ordered his armed forces to prepare for invasion. Hermann Goering assured him that a sustained air assault would destroy the RAF, winning the air superiority needed.
A Heinkel He 111 bomber flying over London, September 1940
A Heinkel He 111 bomber flying over London, September 1940

July 1940 saw German planes target shipping in the Channel, drawing the RAF into combat, before radar stations, communications centres and airfields faced round-the-clock bombing in August. The battle reached a climax with attacks on London in September.
The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF)
The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF)

Joan 'Elizabeth' Mortimer, Elspeth Henderson and Helen Turner of the WAAF. All three received the Military Medal for courageous conduct during attacks on Biggin Hill airfield. Biggin Hill suffered a total of ten major attacks between 30 Aug and 5 Sept.
Non-British personnel in the RAF
Non-British personnel in the RAF

A group of pilots of No. 303 (Polish) Squadron RAF return from a sortie. The first Polish squadrons were formed in the summer of 1940. Pilots came from several other countries, including Australia, Canada, Czechoslovakia, New Zealand and the USA.
Sector 'G' Operations Room at RAF Duxford
Sector 'G' Operations Room at RAF Duxford

RAF Duxford was a Sector Station in 12 Group, responsible for defending the Midlands and East Anglia. As the fighting intensified, Duxford's squadrons were called on to support 11 Group's defence of London and the south-east.
Hawker Hurricane Mk Is of No. 85 Squadron RAF
Hawker Hurricane Mk Is of No. 85 Squadron RAF

Despite incessant attacks, the RAF's defences held. The Luftwaffe could not continue, and in the autumn switched to 'nuisance' raids and night operations. The failure to defeat the RAF convinced Hitler to postpone his invasion plans indefinitely.

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Trench Football

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© IWM (EPH 2579)

Catalogue number

EPH 2579

Materials

glass
metal
paper
wood

Dimensions

general: Length 9.5 in
general: Width 6.5 in
general: Height 1.0 in

Alternative Names

FULL NAME: Trench Football
SIMPLE NAME: GAME : British

Creator

British Design/British Made

Category

souvenirs and ephemera

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History note

The object of the game is to roll a ball (bearing) from the start to the finish, in this case, the Kick Off to the Kaiser's mouth, via a circuitous route with traps in strategic places. The Rules for playing are pasted on the underside.

Physical description

Trench Football dexterity game comprising rectangular box with wooden frame and glazed front, inside is a reconstruction of a twisting trench system with holes along the route through which a ball bearing must pass from the 'kick' spot at the base of the game box to the 'goal' being the Kaiser's mouth at the top, instructions for play are on the reverse.

Printed

Trench Football

Associated history pages

Associated people and organisations