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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recording
(sound) Made by: Vaughan Thomas, Wynford (interviewee/speaker) 1944-04-21
British broadcaster introduces Scottish bagpipers at the Anzio beach-head, 4/1944. Includes bagpipe march 'Mount Etna' and greetings in Gaelic
Anzio: Gun Operations Control Room
(sound) Made by: Vaughan Thomas, Wynford (interviewee/speaker) 1944-04-22
British correspondent's commentary from Gun Operations Control Room, Anzio, Italy, 4/1944 [includes actuality]
recording
(sound) Made by: Vaughan Thomas, Wynford et al (interviewee/speaker) 1944-04-24
British broadcaster introduces soldiers serving on Anzio front line 4/1944
Campaign against malaria
(sound) Made by: Unknown (interviewee/speaker) 1944-05-09
Actuality of British soldiers singing 'Mepacrine' to the tune of 'Lili Marlene' in campaign against malaria in Italy, 5/1944
recording
(sound) Made by: BBC 7850 (Production company) 1944-04-09
British broadcaster at Easter Sunday drumhead service near Naples 4/1944 [includes actuality]
recording
(sound) Made by: BBC 8066 (Production company) 1944-04-12
British officer on army's front line newspapers, one of which he edited in Italy 4/1944
recording
(sound) Made by: Vaughan Thomas, Wynford et al (interviewee/speaker) 1945-04-25
British correspondent’s account of conditions in suburbs of Bremen, Germany, 4/1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Vaughan Thomas, Wynford (interviewee/speaker) 1944-02-09
British broadcaster interviews five soldiers returning from fighting at Anzio 2/1944
recording
(sound) Made by: Vaughan Thomas, Wynford et al (interviewee/speaker) 1944-05-25
British broadcaster interviewing British officers of Anzio patrols who linked up with Fifth Army patrols from the south 5/1944
recording
(sound) Made by: BBC 7741 (Production company) 1943-12-31
British soldiers returning from patrol in Italy report findings 12/1943 [includes actuality]