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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Collections search

spectacles, German
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: A Holze
Used in escape of 28/Jul/1918, to give Rathbone the appearance of a German commercial traveller. Issued to Exhibitions for Great Escapes -Returned October 2006.
cap, handmade, British
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Replica British Royal Flying Corps forage cap associated with the First World War experiences of Major J W Shaw as a prisoner of war and escapee from Freiburg and Holzminden camps, Germany. During the First World War Major Shaw served with 2nd King...
hat, Panama
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Captain E W Leggatt, then serving in the Royal Flying Corps, was captured by the Germans on 9 August 1916. He was subsequently one of 10 prisoners of war who made a successful escape to freedom through a tunnel at Holzminden POW Camp, Germany on 23/24...
compass
(equipment)
Compass (and accessories) associated with the First World War experiences of Captain E W Leggatt as a prisoner of war in Holzminden Camp, Germany. The lanyard was attached to his braces for safety. Captain Leggatt of the Wiltshire Regiment (attached to...
torch, electric
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Tarn Kapp D.R.P.
German battery operated electric torch associated with the First World War experiences of Captain E W Leggatt as a prisoner of war in Holzminden Camp, Germany. The torch was obtained from a German sentry. Captain Leggatt was captured on 9 August 1916,...
pair of moccasins
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Pair of moccasins associated with the First World War experiences of Captain E W Leggatt as a prisoner of war in Holzminden Camp, Germany. Captain Leggatt was captured on 9 August 1916, and subsequently was one of the ten men who made a successful escape...
compass, German
(equipment)
Obtained by donor, Wing Commander C Rathbone, from a German guard and used in the escape of 28th July 1918.
shaving brush, with concealed information, British
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Shaving brush (modified to contain documentation useful for escapees) associated with the First World War experiences of Major J W Shaw as a prisoner of war in Holzminden Camp, Germany. During the First World War Major Shaw served with 2nd King Edward's...
football, British
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Leather football associated with the First World War experiences of Major J W Shaw as a prisoner of war in Holzminden Camp, Germany. The football, signed by other British officer prisoners, was presented in November 1918 to Major Shaw, who as Honorary...
PRISONER OF WAR CAMPS IN GERMANY DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
part of "MANNING B" (photographs) 1918-07
The tunnel at Holzminden prisoner of war camp, taken when the tunnel was discovered and dug up after it was used for an escape attempt.