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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BRITISH FORCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1945-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit
A member of the Parachute Regiment stands guard over a group of Jewish civilians who wait in line to be interrogated by British army officers and members of the Palestine Police during a sweep in Tel Aviv for members of Jewish terrorist organisations...
BRITISH FORCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1945-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit
Soldiers of the 6th Airborne Division removing a Bren Gun from a hidden cache of weapons found in the Jewish settlement of Doroth near Gaza.
BRITISH FORCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1945-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit
A corporal of the 6th Airborne Division carries a First World War Austro-Hungarian Schwarzlose machine gun from a chicken shed where part of a hidden cache of weapons was found in the Jewish settlement of Doroth near Gaza.
BRITISH FORCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1945-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit
Men of the 6th Airborne Division look at the assorted weapons, ammunitions and equipment discovered in the Jewish settlement of Doroth near Gaza.
BRITISH FORCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1945-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit
A sergeant of the 6th Airborne Division examines one of the mortars found amongst an arms cache hidden in the Jewish settlement of Doroth near Gaza.
BRITISH FORCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1945-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit
A British soldier with a cache of grenades discovered in the Tachkemoni School, Tel Aviv, during a sweep to round up suspected members of Jewish terrorist organisations.
BRITISH FORCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1945-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit
Soldiers of the 6th Airborne Division removing a German MG 34 machine gun from a hidden cache of weapons found in the Jewish settlement of Doroth near Gaza.
BRITISH FORCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1945-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit
Members of the 6th Airborne Division examines the mortars and ammunition found amongst an arms cache hidden in the Jewish settlement of Doroth near Gaza. In the foreground is a First World War Austro-Hungarian Schwarzlose machine gun.
BRITISH FORCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1945-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit
A member of the 6th Airborne Division examines a German MG 34 machine gun found amongst an arms cache hidden in the Jewish settlement of Doroth near Gaza. In the foreground is a First World War Austro-Hungarian Schwarzlose machine gun.
BRITISH FORCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1945-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit
A member of the 6th Airborne Division examines pistols of various types found amongst an arms cache hidden in the Jewish settlement of Doroth near Gaza.