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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THE BRITISH OCCUPATION OF VIENNA, AUSTRIA 1946 - 1947
part of "OAKES HARRY" (photographs) Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
Scene taken during a large civilian demonstration in Vienna which protested about conditions under the Allied Occupation. Demands included an end to military government, the return of Austrian prisoners of war and the exclusion of young people from...
WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
No description available
WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
Parkhouse washing his feet in the improvised "bath" made from his gas cape and a hole dug in the ground
WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
After his meal and his bath Parkhouse goes with the other members of his section to a concert by the divisional concert party. Here he is (centre), with his colleagues, enjoying one of the comedians jokes
WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
After a good meal Parkhouse lights his cigarette and has a talk with the other members of section
WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
Fighting in the frontline is hard on the feet so Parkhouse scoops out a hole, spreads his gas cape over, pours in water and washes his feet.
WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
N.A.A.F.I packs being unloaded from lorries at the Detail Issue Depot
WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
A meal is prepared for the men as soon as they leave the line, and Parkhouse with his mess tin ready, receives his ration of meat and vegetable stew. This is followed by rice pudding and stewed prunes for sweet.
WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
british troops lined up at the Field Cashiers office, an Army vehicle, where they are seen exchanging money for French currency
WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
Sweets and chocolates being issued to troops after they had arrived from the D.I.D