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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Hamm: Freedom Parade. Polish Veterans in Blue, War Memorial at Rear
(art) Made by: Lawson, Sonia (RA) 1984
image: British soldiers in khaki dress uniform and Polish veterans in dark blue parade in front of a war memorial, which is visible in the background. One British soldier stands in front of them holding a sword and there is a flagpole displaying the...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1941-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-08-17
After the German-Soviet Invasion of Poland a great number of Poles was deported to various camps in the Soviet Gulag. Among them were many boys of all ages. After signing of the Sikorski -Mayski Agreement in 1941 many survivors - men, women, children -...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1941-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-08-17
After the German-Soviet Invasion of Poland a great number of Poles was deported to various camps in the Soviet Gulag. Among them were many boys of all ages. After signing of the Sikorski -Mayski Agreement in 1941 many survivors - men, women, children -...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1941-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-08-17
After the German-Soviet Invasion of Poland a great number of Poles was deported to various camps in the Soviet Gulag. Among them were many boys of all ages. After signing of the Sikorski -Mayski Agreement in 1941 many survivors - men, women, children -...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1941-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-08-17
After the German-Soviet Invasion of Poland a great number of Poles was deported to various camps in the Soviet Gulag. Among them were many boys of all ages. After signing of the Sikorski -Mayski Agreement in 1941 many survivors - men, women, children -...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1941-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-08-17
After the German-Soviet Invasion of Poland a great number of Poles was deported to various camps in the Soviet Gulag. Among them were many boys of all ages. After signing of the Sikorski -Mayski Agreement in 1941 many survivors - men, women, children -...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1941-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-08-17
After the German-Soviet Invasion of Poland a great number of Poles was deported to various camps in the Soviet Gulag. Among them were many boys of all ages. After signing of the Sikorski -Mayski Agreement in 1941 many survivors - men, women, children -...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1941-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-08-17
After the German-Soviet Invasion of Poland a great number of Poles was deported to various camps in the Soviet Gulag. Among them were many boys of all ages. After signing of the Sikorski -Mayski Agreement in 1941 many survivors - men, women, children -...
THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORWAY APRIL - JUNE 1940
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1940-06-01
British troops talking to French and Polish (Independent Podhalan Rifles Brigade) soldiers around a French Hotchkiss H39 tank in Steinsland.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORWAY APRIL - JUNE 1940
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1940-06-01
British troops talking to French and Polish (Independent Podhalan Rifles Brigade) soldiers around a French Hotchkiss H39 tank in Steinsland.