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 THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1941-09-23
A demonstration of the 4th Cadre Rifle Brigade (future 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade) training followed by an exercise in which fully trained paratroops were used, was witnessed by General Władysław Sikorski, the C-in-C of the Polish Armed...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-47
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1942-08-24
Paratroops of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade advancing towards their objective through a line of barbwire during a two day exercise held by Polish paratroops in the Scottish Command. Photograph taken at Lauder Common.
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-47
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1942-08-24
Officers of Allied armies (Polish, Norwegian, British) taking a welcome cup of tea at the conclusion of a two day exercise held by the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade in the Scottish Command. Photograph taken at Lauder Common.
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-47
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1942-08-24
Signals team of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade using their portable radio set during a two day exercise held by Polish paratroops in the Scottish Command. Photograph taken at Lauder Common.
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-47
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1942-08-24
Paratroops of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade advancing towards their objective under cover of a smoke screen during a two day exercise held by Polish paratroops in the Scottish Command. Note their training headwear, so called 'bungee...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-47
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1942-08-24
Paratroops of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade advancing towards their objective under cover of a smoke screen during a two day exercise held by Polish paratroops in the Scottish Command. Photograph taken at Lauder Common.
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-47
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1942-08-24
Gren gunner, supported by another paratrooper, of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade firing at their objective from a foxhole during a two day exercise held by Polish paratroops in the Scottish Command. Photograph taken at Lauder Common.
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-47
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1942-08-24
Paratroops of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade taking up their positions and firing on their objective during a two day exercise held by Polish paratroops in the Scottish Command. Note their training headwear, so called 'bungee helmets'....
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-47
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1942-08-24
Bren gun team of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade taking up their positions and firing on their objective during a two day exercise held by Polish paratroops in the Scottish Command. Note their training headwear, so called 'bungee helmets'....
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-47
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1942-08-24
Soldier of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade taking up his position and firing on his objective during a two day exercise held by Polish paratroops in the Scottish Command. Photograph taken at Lauder Common.