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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ALLIED FORCES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1941-03-08
King George VI and General Władysław Sikorski, Prime Minister of the Polish Government-in-Exile, inspecting a guard of honour of the 1st Polish Corps at Glamis, Scotland.
WINSTON CHURCHILL AS PRIME MINISTER 1940-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1941-02-14
The Prime Minister witnessed a tank demonstration in which he was shown the capabilities of various armoured fighting vehicles over rough country near Frensham, Surrey. With him were General Władysław Sikorski, the Prime Minister of the Polish Government...
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 1940-12-11
General Alan Brooke, C-in-C of the Home Forces, and General Władysław Sikorski leaving a machine gun post manned, probably, by troops of the 5th Cadre Rifle Brigade (1st Polish Corps) at Broughty Ferry. General Tadeusz Klimecki, the Chief of Polish...
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 1940-12-11
General Alan Brooke, the C-in-C of the Home Forces; General Władysław Sikorski, the C-in-C of the Polish Armed Forces and General Harold Carrington, the CO of the Scottish Command, during General Brooke's visit to units of the 1st Polish Corps in Dundee...
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 1940-12-11
General Alan Brooke, the C-in-C of the Home Forces, getting under a 4 inch artillery gun during his inspection of coastal defences at Carnoustie. He is accompanied by General Władysław Sikorski, the C-in-C of the Polish Armed Forces (behind gun's barrel...
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 1940-12-11
General Harold Carrington, the CO of the Scottish Command; General Alan Brooke, the C-in-C of the Home Forces, and General Władysław Sikorski, the C-in-C of the Polish Armed Forces, walking alongside concrete blocks during their inspection of coastal...
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 1940-12-11
General Alan Brooke, the C-in-C of the Home Forces, and General Władysław Sikorski, the C-in-C of the Polish Armed Forces, inspecting a 40mm Ordnance QF 2-pounder anti-tank gun of the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade (1st Polish Corps) at Arbroath....
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 1940-12-11
Bren Gun Carriers of the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade (1st Polish Corps) driving through streets of Forfar during General Alan Brooke's inspection. Photograph taken during General Brooke's visit the 1st Corps units in Dundee area.
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 1940-12-11
Troops of the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade (1st Polish Corps) marching through streets of Forfar during General Alan Brooke's inspection. Photograph taken during General Brooke's visit the 1st Corps units in Dundee area.