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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Markwell, Ivan Charles (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2000-06-21
British civilian in Beccles, GB, 1939-1944; private served with 7th Bn Cameronians in North West Europe, 1945
Taylor, Raynor (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1990-02
British private served with Glamorgan Yeomanry in GB, 1916-1917; served with Welch Regiment on Western Front, 1917-1918; served with provisional companies in GB,1918-1919; served as officer's servant with North Russian Expeditionary Force, 1919. Met...
Harrison, Pat Amos (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1998-03-25
British private served with 1st Bn Royal Norfolk Regt in Korea, 1951-1952
Fishwick, Peter James (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2008
British NCO served with Royal Engineers in GB and North West Europe, 1939-1944
SPORT & LEISURE DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Men from Bolton Wanderers Football Club serving together with a battery of artillery (53rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, 42 Division, 11 Corps) at Beccles on the east coast of England. Photograph shows: the nine footballers in uniform pulling an...
SPORT & LEISURE DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Men from Bolton Wanderers Football Club serving together with a battery of artillery (53rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, 42 Division, 11 Corps) at Beccles on the east coast of England. Photograph shows: the nine footballers in their football kit...