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

War Drawings By Muirhead Bone: The Loos Salient and Burning Lens
(art) Made by: Bone, Muirhead (artist) 1918
one of a portfolio of 60 prints
Loos from the British Support Line, July 1915
(art) Made by: Rose, Geoffrey K (MC) 1915-07
image: a view across to the distinctive mining village of Loos, dominated in the centre middle ground by the looming metal pit-head, known colloquially as 'Tower Bridge'. There are further mining structures to the right, all surrounded by houses and with...
THE FIRST WORLD WAR 1914 - 1918: TRENCH WARFARE ON THE WESTERN FRONT
part of "IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM FIRST WORLD WAR AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS COLLECTION" (photographs) 1917-07
Trench layout and conditions: an aerial photograph showing a trench system between Loos and Hulluch.
BRITISH OFFICIAL PANORAMAS OF THE WESTERN FRONT 1914 - 1918
part of "IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM FIRST WORLD WAR PANORAMAS COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Engineers
FIELD OF VIEW: Cite St Elie, Loos/Lens Front
BRITISH OFFICIAL PANORAMAS OF THE WESTERN FRONT 1914 - 1918
part of "IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM FIRST WORLD WAR PANORAMAS COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Engineers 1917
FIELD OF VIEW: Loos and Wingles Sector
BRITISH OFFICIAL PANORAMAS OF THE WESTERN FRONT 1914 - 1918
part of "IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM FIRST WORLD WAR PANORAMAS COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Engineers 1917
FIELD OF VIEW: Loos and Wingles
BRITISH OFFICIAL PANORAMAS OF THE WESTERN FRONT 1914 - 1918
part of "IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM FIRST WORLD WAR PANORAMAS COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Engineers 1916-05-21
FIELD OF VIEW: Loos Village to St Laurent Church
BRITISH OFFICIAL PANORAMAS OF THE WESTERN FRONT 1914 - 1918
part of "IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM FIRST WORLD WAR PANORAMAS COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Engineers 1917-05-03
FIELD OF VIEW: Hulluch to Loos
BRITISH OFFICIAL PANORAMAS OF THE WESTERN FRONT 1914 - 1918
part of "IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM FIRST WORLD WAR PANORAMAS COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Engineers 1916-03-28
FIELD OF VIEW: Carvin to Puits 14, Lens / Loos Sector
BRITISH OFFICIAL PANORAMAS OF THE WESTERN FRONT 1914 - 1918
part of "IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM FIRST WORLD WAR PANORAMAS COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Engineers 1916-03-26
FIELD OF VIEW: Double Crassier Area