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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Goggles, protective: British
(equipment)
These goggles were worn by Private T A Cox, who served in 5 Platoon, B (Suffolk) Company, 1 Royal Anglian ('The Vikings') in Afghanistan, from March to October 2007. B Company's first task after arriving at Camp Bastion in April was to participate in...
Assault Vest, Desert DPM pat. (commercial variant)
(equipment) Made by: Web-tex
This assault vest was privately purchased by Captain P M J Kelly and used by him in Afghanistan during 2007. Commissioned from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 12 April 2002, and assigned to 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Second...
Emergency Kit, Personal (improvised)
(equipment)
This personal emergency kit was made up by Captain Paul Kelly for use in Afghanistan, it was stowed in his personal equipment. Commissioned from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 12 April 2002, and assigned to 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of...
BRITISH FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN, 2002
part of "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE HQ LAND COMMAND" (photographs) Made by: British Army official photographer
9 (Parachute) Squadron, Royal Engineers train at Long Valley near their base in Aldershot, in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan, January 2002. The Section Commander, Cpl L Winters (kneeling), Spr R Ellis (rear left) and Spr M Lenehan (right)...
BRITISH FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN, 2002
part of "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE HQ LAND COMMAND" (photographs) Made by: Ballantyne M (Cpl)
Major J Holt, Commander of A Company, 40 Commando, Royal Marines on patrol at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, February 2002. 40 Commando deployed to Bagram in November 2001, ahead of the main ISAF force which followed some weeks later. Their initial role...
BRITISH FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN, 2002
part of "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE HQ LAND COMMAND" (photographs) Made by: Ballantyne M (Cpl)
Marine K Rademan of 40 Commando, Royal Marines, on guard at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, February 2002. 40 Commando deployed to Bagram in November 2001, ahead of the main ISAF force which followed some weeks later. Their initial role was to provide...
BRITISH FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN, 2002
part of "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE HQ LAND COMMAND" (photographs) Made by: Ballantyne M (Cpl)
Portrait of Major General John McColl, Commander ISAF after participating in the Reopening of Nazo Anaa School in Kabul, February 2002. Prior to reopening, the Royal Engineers had helped local tradesmen to rebuild the school after its long-term closure...
BRITISH FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN, 2002
part of "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE HQ LAND COMMAND" (photographs) Made by: Ballantyne M (Cpl)
Scenes in Kabul, February 2002. An Afghan policeman directs the midday traffic.
BRITISH FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN, 2002
part of "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE HQ LAND COMMAND" (photographs) Made by: Ballantyne M (Cpl)
The Afghan Transitional Government's Minister for Public Health, Dr Sohaila Siddiqi at an ISAF ambulance service 'open day in Kabul, February 2002'. ISAF were providing an emergency medical service for both military personnel and Afghan civilians.
BRITISH FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN, 2002
part of "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE HQ LAND COMMAND" (photographs) Made by: Ballantyne M (Cpl)
Portrait of Sergeant C Gilfoyle, Commander of 6 Platoon, B Company, 2 Parachute Regiment photographed shortly before his Company started training the new Kabul Regiment, February 2002.