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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Collections search

baton, conductor's, handmade, British
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Conductor's baton used by Major Shaw during a First World War escape attempt. As conductor of the Freiburg prison camp orchestra he feigned an injured foot during a comedy sketch, while giving a concert in the Germans' dining room. He tried to escape...
cap, handmade, British
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Replica British Royal Flying Corps forage cap associated with the First World War experiences of Major J W Shaw as a prisoner of war and escapee from Freiburg and Holzminden camps, Germany. During the First World War Major Shaw served with 2nd King...
bladder, rugby ball, British
(souvenirs and ephemera)
See file for history of Shaw's capture and escape attempts.
brush and comb set, miniature, British
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Miniature brush and comb set associated with Major J W Shaw's experiences as prisoner of war in Germany during the First World War. Major Shaw served with 2nd King Edward's Horse, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and the Royal Flying...
bladder, football, British
(souvenirs and ephemera)
See file for history of Shaw's capture and escape attempts.
shaving brush, with concealed information, British
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Shaving brush (modified to contain documentation useful for escapees) associated with the First World War experiences of Major J W Shaw as a prisoner of war in Holzminden Camp, Germany. During the First World War Major Shaw served with 2nd King Edward's...
football, British
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Leather football associated with the First World War experiences of Major J W Shaw as a prisoner of war in Holzminden Camp, Germany. The football, signed by other British officer prisoners, was presented in November 1918 to Major Shaw, who as Honorary...
tin of tongue, with concealed escape aids, British
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Tin of 'Armour tongue' (and its escape-related contents) associated with the First World War experiences of Captain J W Shaw as a prisoner of war in Holzminden Camp, Germany The tin is that referred to in the 'code letter' of 8th October 1918 held in the...
Escape equipment, Compass
part of "tin of tongue, with concealed escape aids, British" (souvenirs and ephemera)
Tin of 'Armour tongue' (and its escape-related contents) associated with the First World War experiences of Captain J W Shaw as a prisoner of war in Holzminden Camp, Germany The tin is that referred to in the 'code letter' of 8th October 1918 held in the...
Escape equipment, Compass
part of "tin of tongue, with concealed escape aids, British" (souvenirs and ephemera)
Tin of 'Armour tongue' (and its escape-related contents) associated with the First World War experiences of Captain J W Shaw as a prisoner of war in Holzminden Camp, Germany The tin is that referred to in the 'code letter' of 8th October 1918 held in the...