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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Snap into it - Men 18-19 1/2 - Home Defence
(posters) Made by: Scott, Frederick George Alfred (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set against a blue background. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in red cursive script. The subtitle is separate and placed in the lower quarter, in white, set against a green...
'Let 'em All Come' - Home Defence Battalions
(posters) Made by: Scott, Frederick George Alfred (artist) 1939
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set against a green background. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in white outlined red cursive script. The subtitle and text are separate and placed in the lower quarter, in...
Let 'em All Come - Home Defence Battalions
(posters) Made by: Scott, Frederick George Alfred (artist) 1940
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set against a green background. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in white outlined red cursive script. The subtitle and text are separate and placed in the lower quarter, in...
Put Litter in the Basket
(posters) Made by: A M (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the upper third, with the title and text separate and placed in the lower two-thirds, in black and orange. All set against a white background. image: a full-length depiction of a well-dressed man dropping an empty...
Keep Death off the Road
(posters) Made by: Keely, Pat (artist)
whole: the image occupies the whole. The title is integrated and positioned in the lower third, in pink. The text is integrated and placed in the lower quarter, in white. The title and text are held within a pink border. image: a half-length depiction of...
Keep 'em Moving
(posters) Made by: Folkard-Roberts (artist) 1943
whole: the image occupies the majority, with the title integrated and positioned across the centre, in brown cursive script. The text is separate and placed in the lower half, in black and orange, held within a white inset. image: a stylised depiction of...
Britain's Sea Power is Yours!
(posters) Made by: Thomas, Walter (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority, with the Admiralty seal placed in the upper right. The title is separate and positioned along the top edge and bottom edge, in red. The text is integrated and placed in the lower right, in white. All set against a...
Britain's Sea Power is Yours!
(posters) Made by: Thomas, Walter (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority, with the Admiralty seal placed in the lower left. The title is separate and positioned along the bottom edge, in white, set against a grey background. The text is integrated and placed in the lower right, in white...
Women Wanted as Ambulance Drivers
(posters) Made by: Brookshaw, Drake (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the lower three-quarters. The title is partially integrated and positioned in the upper third, in dark blue. The text is separate and placed in the top edge left, in orange, and in the lower fifth, in black and in blue....
Women of the Forces
(posters) Made by: Jones (artist)
whole: the three images are positioned in the upper half, with a smaller image positioned at the top edge centre. The title is partially integrated and placed in the upper quarter, in red and in black. The text is partially integrated and located in the...