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 WAR IN THE FAR EAST: THE BURMA CAMPAIGN 1941-1945
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Air Force official photographer
The Arakan Campaign January 1943 - May 1945: Men of the Royal Air Force advance assault party pass a bomb damaged building after the landings on Ramree Island.
Calvocoressi, Peter John Ambrose (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987-02-02
British civilian with Ministry of Economic Warfare in London, GB, 1939-1940; served as intelligence officer with RAF in GB, 1940-1942; served as Deputy Head and Head of Air Section, Hut 3A, Government Code and Cipher School, Bletchley Park in GB, 1942-...
Easton, John William (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1975-07-02
British NCO served with 1 Wing, RAF at Miranshah Fort, India, 1928-1930 including contact with T E Lawrence
Hillison, Edward (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987
British NCO served with 17th Bn Cheshire Regt in GB, 1916-1917; served with 7th Bn East Lancashire Regt and 9th Bn Welch Regt on Western Front, 1917-1918; trained as observer with RAF in GB, 1918. Served as officer with Local Defence Volunteers and Home...
Mitchell, Warren (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1999-10-04
British civilian in London, GB, 1938-1944; aircraftsman trained as navigator with RAF in GB and Canada, 1944-1946
recording
(sound) Made by: Unknown (Production company)
Memoir entitled 'The Druid's Circle' written by the late Group Captain H W Dean. Read by Francis Attwater
THE ROYAL AIR FORCE IN NORTH AFRICA
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit
The gunner of a Blenheim bomber, F/Sgt J Mitchell, in his turret, 12 February 1942. This aircraft was used as personal transport by Lt Gen Neil Ritchie, GOC 8th Army, for visiting units in the desert.
Identity Disc: RAF (F.C. Harrold)
(equipment)
This identity disc belonged to Pilot Officer Frederick Harrold, a Hurricane pilot who was killed in action during the Battle of Britain. Harrold, of Hills Road, Cambridge, was killed on Saturday, 28th September over Deal, Kent, having only just been...
Read, Les (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1994-06
British fitter served with Royal Flying Corps/RAF in GB and Western Front, 1916-1919; served as fitter with RAF in GB and North West Europe, 1939-1945
Wolff, George Max (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2004-12
German Jewish NCO served with 24th Field Unit, Y Service, 329 Wing, RAF in North Africa and Italy, 1942-1943; served with 24 Field Unit attached to 276 Wing, Desert Air Force in Italy, 1943-1945; served as interpreter with POW Holding Unit in GB, 1946.