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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THE ROYAL NAVY DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Navy official photographer
Two naval VC's; Leading Seaman James Joseph Magennis (L) and Lieutenant Ian Edwards Fraser, DSC, RNR. Fraser was commanding officer and Leading Seaman Magennis was a diver in a midget submarine (XE3) which destroyed a Japanese cruiser in August 1945, in...
Fraser, Ian Edward (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987-06-23
British midshipman served aboard HMS Montrose during Dunkirk Evacuation, 1940; officer served aboard HMS Malcolm in North Sea and Atlantic, 1940-1941; served aboard submarine HMS Sahib in Arctic and Mediterranean, 1942- 1943; served with X-craft in GB...
JAMES JOSEPH MAGENNIS VC, OCTOBER 1945
part of "ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Navy official photographer
Portrait of Leading Seaman James Joseph Magennis VC.
Underwater swim suit Mark III, Royal Navy
(equipment) Made by: Dunlop Rubber Company Ltd
Frogman swim suit worn on 31 July 1945 by Leading Seaman James Joseph Magennis RN when as the diver of the Midget Submarine XE3 (commanded by Lieutenant Ian Edward Fraser RNR) he attached limpet explosive charges to the hull of the Japanese Heavy Cruiser...
container
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Hancocks & Co, London
Hancock's presentation VC box.
medal
(decorations and awards)
Victoria Cross medal group awarded to James Magennis VC
medal
(decorations and awards)
Victoria Cross medal group awarded to James Magennis VC
medal
(decorations and awards)
Victoria Cross medal group awarded to James Magennis VC
medal
(decorations and awards)
Victoria Cross medal group awarded to James Magennis VC
medal
(decorations and awards)
Victoria Cross medal group awarded to James Magennis VC