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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OPERATION OVERLORD (THE NORMANDY LANDINGS), 6 JUNE 1944
part of "ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: McNeill, M H A (Lt)
The 15 inch guns of HMS WARSPITE bombarding German positions around Caen during the invasion of Normandy.
AN INVASION REHEARSAL OFF THE ISLE OF WIGHT, 24 -28 APRIL 1944
part of "ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Allen, E E (Lt)
A tug tows a Bombardon (part of Mulberry harbour).
ROYAL AIR FORCE: 2ND TACTICAL AIR FORCE, 1943-1945.
part of "CHRISTIE MICHAEL (MR)" (photographs) Made by: Christie M
Supermarine Spitfire Mark IX, 'FU-V', of No. 453 Squadron RAAF preparing to taxy at Ford, Sussex, for a sortie over Normandy. The aircraft carries a 44-gallon long-range fuel tank under the fuselage to enable it to extend its operational radius on the...
ROYAL AIR FORCE: 2ND TACTICAL AIR FORCE, 1943-1945.
part of "CHRISTIE MICHAEL (MR)" (photographs) Made by: Christie M
Supermarine Spitfire Mark IXs of No. 453 Squadron RAAF, are started up at Ford, Sussex for a sortie over Normandy. Both aircraft are carrying 44-gallon long-range fuel tanks under the fuselage to extend the their range over the continent. Behind them...
ROYAL AIR FORCE: 2ND TACTICAL AIR FORCE, 1943-1945.
part of "CHRISTIE MICHAEL (MR)" (photographs) Made by: Christie M
A pair of Supermarine Spitfire Mark IXs of No. 443 Squadron RCAF take off from Ford, Sussex, for a sortie over Normandy. Both aircraft each carry a 44-gallon long-range fuel tank under the fuselage to extend the Spitfire's range over the continent.
ROYAL AIR FORCE: 2ND TACTICAL AIR FORCE, 1943-1945.
part of "CHRISTIE MICHAEL (MR)" (photographs) Made by: Christie M
A pair of Supermarine Spitfire Mark IXBs of No. 442 Squadron RCAF, take off from Ford, Sussex, for a sortie over Normandy. Both aircraft each carry a 44-gallon long-range fuel tank under the fuselage to extend the Spitfire's range over the continent.
THE OVERLORD EMBROIDERY
part of "IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM PHOTOGRAPH ARCHIVE COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Imperial War Museum official photographer
A section of the "Overlord" Embroidery tapestry designed by Sandra Lawrence and made by the Royal School of Needlework to commemorate D-Day and the Normandy landings in 1944 . The Overlord Embroidery was commissioned by Lord Dulverton of Batsford as a...
THE OVERLORD EMBROIDERY
part of "IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM PHOTOGRAPH ARCHIVE COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Imperial War Museum official photographer
A section of the "Overlord" Embroidery tapestry designed by Sandra Lawrence and made by the Royal School of Needlework to commemorate D-Day and the Normandy landings in 1944 . The Overlord Embroidery was commissioned by Lord Dulverton of Batsford as a...
THE OVERLORD EMBROIDERY
part of "IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM PHOTOGRAPH ARCHIVE COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Imperial War Museum official photographer
A section of the "Overlord" Embroidery tapestry designed by Sandra Lawrence and made by the Royal School of Needlework to commemorate D-Day and the Normandy landings in 1944 . The Overlord Embroidery was commissioned by Lord Dulverton of Batsford as a...
THE OVERLORD EMBROIDERY
part of "IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM PHOTOGRAPH ARCHIVE COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Imperial War Museum official photographer
A section of the "Overlord" Embroidery tapestry designed by Sandra Lawrence and made by the Royal School of Needlework to commemorate D-Day and the Normandy landings in 1944 . The Overlord Embroidery was commissioned by Lord Dulverton of Batsford as a...