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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recording
(sound) Made by: Unknown (Production company) 1944
Compilation of extracts from British military telephone traffic in North West Europe, 17-19/Dec/1944
recording
(sound) Made by: Unknown (Production company) 1945
Compilation of extracts from British military telephone traffic in North West Europe, c.1944-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Unknown (Production company) 1945
Compilation of extracts from British military telephone traffic in North West Europe, 30/Dec/1944-7/Feb/1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Unknown (Production company) 1945
Compilation of extracts from British military telephone traffic in North West Europe, c.1944-1945
Ball, Robin Charles (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1975
British artist served as gunner with Royal Artillery in GB and North West Europe, 1939-1945
Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1978
British official war artist with British Army in GB, North Africa, Italy and France, 1939-1945
The Landing in Normandy; Arromanches, D-Day plus 20, 26th June 1944
(art) Made by: Freedman, Barnett (CBE) 1947
image: A panoramic view of a Normandy beach scattered with soldiers and equipment. In the background can be seen the artificial harbour known as Mulberry B. In the foreground observers watch road building and repairs, and combat troops being transported...
Preparations for D-Day
(art) Made by: Eurich, Richard Ernst (RA) 1944
image: A coastal scene looking out to sea with an island on the left horizon. In the central foreground tanks line up for loading on board ship, through gaping red metal doors opening into a dark hold. On the right there are seven bell-tents, more...
recording
(sound) Made by: Thames Television (Production company) 1972
British officer served as Chief of Intelligence to General Eisenhower and with SHAEF in North Africa, Italy and North West Europe, 1943-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Thames Television (Production company) 1972
British officer commanded 30 Corps in North West Europe, 1944-1945