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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Donnelly, John (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company)
British trooper served with 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry in GB, 1939; served with 2nd Fife and Forfar Yeomanry in GB, 1939-1940; served with 1st Royal Gloucestershire Hussars in GB, 1940-1941; trooper and NCO served with 1st Royal Tank Regt in North...
Collins, Eric (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1999-03-10
British private served with 1st Bn East Lancashire Regt in GB and North West Europe, 1940-1945
Scott, Frank Lionel (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2001-01-22
British civilian in Kennington, London, GB, 1940-1941; private served with Headquarters, 165th Heavy Anti- Aircraft Regt, Royal Artillery in GB and North West Europe, 1941-1945
Jeltsch, Fritz Karl (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2000-09-02
German private served with 5 Coy, 214 Regt German Army in North West Europe, 1944; POW in GB and Canada, 1944-1948
Handley, Cyril (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2000-10-12
British wireless operator served with 9th Royal Tank Regt in GB and North West Europe, 1942-1945
LORD, ERIC (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1999-12-06
British NCO served with Bren Gun Platoon, Support Coy, 5th Bn Coldstream Guards in GB and North West Europe, 1943-1945
Phillips, Hedley Joyce (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1999-11-17
British officer served with 48 Commando, Royal Marines in North West Europe, 1944-1945; served with 44 Commando, Royal Marines in Far East, 1945
Hann, Ronald (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2000-11-01
British trooper served with 51st Reconnaissance Regt during Battle of El Alamein in Egypt, 1942; NCO served with 5th Bn Cameron Highlanders in Tunisia, Sicily and North West Europe, 1942-1945
Winkler, Eduard Friedrich (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1998-10-06
German airman served with German Air Force in Germany and France, 1942-1945; captured by British troops, 3/1945. POW in GB, 1945-1948
Wylds, Geoffrey (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2000-12-11
British NCO served with 2/6th Bn East Surrey Regt in France, 4/1940-6/1940; served with Hallamshire Bn, Yorkshire and Lancashire Regt in Normandy, 6/1944