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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Hopwood, John Adam (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987-02-09
British officer served with 7th Bn Black Watch in North Africa, 1942-1943; commanded 1st Bn Black Watch in North West Europe, 1944-1945
Richards, Brooks (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987-09-21
British officer served aboard HMS Jewel and HMS Sevra in GB coastal waters 1939-1941; served with Naval Section, Special Operations Executive operating Helford River Flotilla in GB, 1941-1942; commanded No. 1 Special Force in Algeria and Tunisia 1942-...
Farrer, Basil (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1986
British private served with 3rd Bn Green Howards in GB, 1913; served as stretcher bearer with Field Hospital, No 5 Ambulance Train and 13th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps on Western Front,, 1914-1916; served as stretcher bearer with 2nd Bn...
Davie, Alan Brian (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1985-09-16
British civilian conscientious objector in GB, 1939-1941; NCO served with 77th Medium Regt, Royal Artillery in North West Europe, 1944-1945
Keele, Tommy (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1991
British NCO served with 11th Bn Middlesex Regt in GB and Western Front, 1914-1916; attached to 'Ace of Spades' Concert Party, 12 Div on Western Front, 1916-1918; served with Local Defence Volunteers and 6th Bn East Kent Regt in GB, 1939-1944; served with...
McKerchar, John Stewart (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1984-11-08
British officer served with 5th Reconnaissance Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps in Italy and North West Europe, 1944-1945
Attenborough, John (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1984-09-26
British officer served with 5th Reconnaissance Regt, Royal Army Medical Corps in North West Europe, 1944-1945
Sykes, Steven Barry (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1985-02-25
British officer served with 693 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers in France, 1940; served with Royal Engineers in Middle East, 1941-1943; served with 5 Beach Group and 6th Airborne Division in Normandy, 1944
Brook, Robin (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987-06-06
British intelligence officer served as Director of Western Europe in GB and Europe with with SO2, Special Operations Executive in GB, 1942-1945; representative to Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force 1944-1945
Petts, Ronald John (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987-03-02
British civilian artist and conscientious objector in London and Wales, GB, 1939-1941; agricultural worker in GB, 1941-1944; private served with Pioneer Corps in GB, 1944; NCO served with 224 Parachute Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps in North...