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

Enquiries: Army
part of "Enquiries" (museum's administrative records) 1940-12-28
Correspondence and enquiries with the Museum specifically relating to the British Army or one of its constituent parts. Includes enquiries about and requests for: information on fired cartridge cases found at Ashanti, whether the Museum has exhibits...
BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN STALAG XXA (20A) IN TORUŃ (THORN), 1940-1945
part of "THE STALAG XXA COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Gąsior, Mariusz 2011-12-12
Personal inscription made by E. McFarlane (?). Caption is incomplete and reads: ' E. Mc...rlane; ...Battalion T... Escaped 2nd September 1941 (?) Captured 6th (?) Released 23rd (?) 18 days in ... for ... Abserren (?)' The rest is erased. 'E. McFarlane'...
BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN STALAG XXA (20A) IN TORUŃ (THORN), 1940-1945
part of "THE STALAG XXA COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Gąsior, Mariusz 2011-12-12
From top to bottom. Inscription in French reading: 'Souvenir Dun Prisonnier'. Personal inscription made by Driver A. F. Roach of the 7th Reserve Motor Transport Company, the Royal Army Service Corps, Army service number 121556; POW number 7802. Caprion...
BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN STALAG XXA (20A) IN TORUŃ (THORN), 1940-1945
part of "THE STALAG XXA COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Gąsior, Mariusz 2011-12-12
From top to bottom. Personal inscription made by Driver A. F. Roach of the 7th Reserve Motor Transport Company, the Royal Army Service Corps, Army service number 121556; POW number 7802. Caprion reads: ,A. Roach; No 7 Reserve MT Coy; RASC; 5 days...
BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN STALAG XXA (20A) IN TORUŃ (THORN), 1940-1945
part of "THE STALAG XXA COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Gąsior, Mariusz 2011-12-12
From top to bottom. Personal inscription made by Private A. R. McCutcheon of the Highland Light Infantry, probably 5th Battalion, Army service number 3319303, POW number 13904. Caption reads: '14 days in the bunker; For Breaking into a German's cantine...
BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN STALAG XXA (20A) IN TORUŃ (THORN), 1940-1945
part of "THE STALAG XXA COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Gąsior, Mariusz 2011-12-12
From top to bottom. Large inscription 'Scotland For Ever'. Second personal inscription made by Corporal James MacDonald, HQ Company, 1st Battalion, the Gordon Highlanders, Army service number 2873448, POW number 36495. Caption reads: 'Cpl james...
BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN STALAG XXA (20A) IN TORUŃ (THORN), 1940-1945
part of "THE STALAG XXA COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Gąsior, Mariusz 2011-12-12
From top to bottom. Second personal inscription made by Corporal James MacDonald, HQ Company, 1st Battalion, the Gordon Highlanders, Army service number 2873448, POW number 36495. Caption reads: 'Cpl James MacDonald; HQ Coy, 1st Bn The Gordon Hrs; 14...
BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN STALAG XXA (20A) IN TORUŃ (THORN), 1940-1945
part of "THE STALAG XXA COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Gąsior, Mariusz 2011-12-12
Part of a personal inscription made by Private A. R. McCutcheon of the Highland Light Infantry, probably 5th Battalion, Army service number 3319303, POW number 13904. Caption reads: A. R. McCutcheon; 5th HL... ... street; Glasgow'. Personal inscription...
THE ALLIED LANDINGS AT ANZIO: 22 JANUARY-23 MAY 1944
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-01-17
MS Sobieski, the Polish Navy liner, awaiting in dock in Naples for the Gordon Highlanders to embark.
BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN STALAG XXA (20A) IN TORUŃ (THORN), 1940-1945
part of "THE STALAG XXA COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Gąsior, Mariusz 2011-12-12
From top to bottom. Caption reading: '8th Bn Argyll & Sutherland Hgrs; (Princess Louise Own); THE THIN RED LINE'. Drawing of two crossed ladles encircled by barbed wire. Ladles divide drawing in four quarters with different piece of food/drink in...