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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AIRCRAFT OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE, 1939-1945; HAWKER TEMPEST.
part of "ROYAL AERONAUTICAL SOCIETY" (photographs) Made by: Hawker Aircraft Ltd
Tempest Mark V, EJ743, on a test flight following completion at Langley, Buckinghamshire. This aircraft served with No. 3 Squadron RAF.
AIRCRAFT IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SERVICE, 1939-1945: HAWKER TEMPEST.
part of "CHRISTIE MICHAEL (MR)" (photographs) Made by: Christie M
Tempest Mark Vs lined up on completion at the Hawker Aircraft Company works at Langley, Buckinghamshire. The nearest aircraft, JN818, served with No. 3 Squadron RAF and was flown by the Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader K A Wigglesworth, when the...
AIRCRAFT OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE, 1939-1945: HAWKER HURRICANE.
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Air Force official photographer
The last Hurricane built by the Hawker Aircraft Company, Mark IIC, PZ865 "The Last of the Many", decorated with banners and pennants on its completion at Langley, Berkshire. PZ865 was bought off the original Ministry of Aircraft Production contract by...
THE ROYAL AIR FORCE IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
A team of RAF guard dogs and their handlers at the Hawker Aircraft Company airfield at Langley, Buckinghamshire, are paraded for the General Officer Commanding East Central District, Major General C A West.
THE HAWKER TEMPEST.
part of "CHRISTIE MICHAEL (MR)" (photographs) Made by: Christie M
Tempest Mark Vs lined up on completion at the Hawker Aircraft Company works at Langley, Buckinghamshire. The aircraft in the foreground, JN816, saw service with both No.3 and No. 56 Squadrons RAF in North-west Europe.
Frost, Jack Harry (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1994-12-15
British civilian worker with Hawker Aircraft Ltd in GB, 1938-1943; private served with 8th Bn Parachute Regt in GB and North West Europe, 1943-1945