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

THE BATTLE OF CAMBRAI 20-30 NOVEMBER 1917
part of "CASSELLS R A (CAPTAIN)" (photographs) 1917-11
A British tank of F Battalion after it had crashed into St Quentin Canal destroying the vital bridge at Masnieres. Field Marshal Haigs Cambrai Despatch gave the collapsed bridge at Masnieres as the reason for the cavalrys failure to cross the canal...
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Brooks Ernest (Lt) 1917-11-22
Civilians being rescued from Masnieres by British soldiers, 22 November 1917.
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Brooks Ernest (Lt) 1917-11-22
A little girl rescued from Masnieres with a British soldier at Gouzeaucourt, 22 November 1917.
recording
(sound) Made by: BBC (Production company) 1963
British NCO served with 1st Bn Tank Corps on Western Front, 11/1917
coin, engraved token
(souvenirs and ephemera)
French 50 centimes coin, engraved with a representation of the badge of the Tank Corps on one side along with various inscriptions associated with the Battle of Cambrai, 20th November 1917.
emergency currency, 5 francs, France
(currency) 1915-04-16
Masnières, Nord, France
emergency currency, 10 francs, France
(currency)
Masnières, Nord, France
emergency currency, 5 francs, France
(currency)
Masnières, Nord, France
emergency currency, 10 francs, France
(currency)
Masnières, Nord, France
emergency currency, 2 francs, France
(currency)
Masnières, Nord, France