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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THE POLISH ARMY IN NORMANDY 1944
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-08
Sherman tank of the 1st Polish Armoured Division disembarking from an LST onto the Mulberry artificial harbour at Arromanches.
THE POLISH ARMY IN NORMANDY 1944
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-08
Sherman tank of the 1st Polish Armoured Division commencing its journey to shore along Floating Bridge at Arromanches.
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1944-03-13
General Bernard Montgomery inspecting colours of one of the 1st Polish Armoured Division regiments in Lanark during his tour of D-Day invasion forces in Britain. He is accompanied by General Stanisław Maczek, the CO of the Division.
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1944-03-13
General view of General Bernard Montgomery addressing troops of the 1st Polish Armoured Division and the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade in Lanark during his tour of D-Day invasion forces in Britain. Troops assembly around Montgomery forming a...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1944-03-13
General Bernard Montgomery acknowledging cheers of crowds outside of Polish Officers Mess in Lanark during his tour of D-Day invasion forces in Britain. He is followed by senior Polish Army officers: General Józef Zając, the Inspector of Training of the...
THE POLISH ARMY IN NORMANDY 1944
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-08
Sherman tank of the 1st Polish Armoured Division commencing along floating bridge of the Mulberry artificial harbour to shore at Arromanches.
THE POLISH ARMY IN NORMANDY 1944
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-08
Sherman tank of the 1st Polish Armoured Division disembarking from an LST onto the Mulberry artificial harbour at Arromanches.
THE POLISH ARMY IN NORMANDY 1944
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-08
Sherman tank of the 1st Polish Armoured Division passing over the Mulberry artificial harbour to shore at Arromanches.
THE POLISH ARMY IN NORMANDY 1944
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-08
Sherman tank of the 1st Polish Armoured Division being driven onto floating bridge of the Mulberry artificial harbour at Arromanches.
THE POLISH ARMY IN NORMANDY 1944
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-08
Sherman tank of the 1st Polish Armoured Division passing over the Mulberry artificial harbour to shore at Arromanches.