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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Women - Please Lend Your Support a Little Longer...
(posters) Made by: Evans, Eileen (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the centre. The title is separate and placed in the upper quarter, in blue and in black. The text is separate and placed in the lower third, in red and in black. All set against a white background. image: a half-length...
Come On Lads!
(posters) Made by: Evans, Eileen (artist)
whole: the two images are positioned in the lower four-fifths. The title and text are separate and placed in the upper third and lower fifth, in orange and in black. All set against a white background. image: a full-length depiction of a worker,...
Lend a Hand on the Land at a Farming Holiday Camp
(posters) Made by: Evans, Eileen (artist) 1943
whole: the image, which incorporates white text and has a vignetted edge, fills the majority of the design. It is set on a plain white background. image: an oversized garden fork with a miniature scene resting on the tines, depicting volunteers...
One Ton of Waste Paper
(posters) Made by: Evans, Eileen (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority. The title is integrated and positioned along the top edge, in black. The text is partially integrated and placed in the lower third, in white and in black. All set against a red-brown background. image: a depiction...
Your Blood Could Save a Life
(posters) Made by: Evans, Eileen (artist)
whole: the title is positioned in the upper two-thirds, in black, in red and in grey, set against a yellow background. A blank text inset is placed in the lower third, set against a grey and black background. Further text is positioned along the bottom...
Your Blood Could Save a Life
(posters) Made by: Evans, Eileen (artist)
Produced with a blank text inset, in the lower third, allowing for additional text PST 14111 is the master copy of a large format version