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 BRITISH ARMY IN SICILY, AUGUST 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Captain P H Bickerton-Edwards of the Highland Division Security Section, interrogating an arrested Fascist at Trecastagni.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN SICILY, AUGUST 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
An Eighth Army soldier being fed grapes by a pretty Sicilian girl while they ride on the front of a jeep.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN SICILY, AUGUST 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
An Eighth Army soldier being fed grapes by a pretty Sicilian girl while they ride on the front of a jeep.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN SICILY, AUGUST 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Two wounded Highlanders walking into a church being used as a field hospital.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN SICILY, AUGUST 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
At Milo in the north of Sicily, County of London Yeomanry tank men are accorded a great reception by the civilians of the town. Here they are seen with Sicilian children riding on their tanks as they rumble down the main street.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN SICILY, AUGUST 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
A jeep driving along a street in Catania, Sicily.
THE ROYAL NAVY DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Navy official photographer
Italian prisoners of war waiting to be taken from Sicily at dawn of the opening day of the invasion. In the foreground a British soldier is having a slight wound dressed.
ROYAL AIR FORCE: ITALY, THE BALKANS AND SOUTH-EAST EUROPE, 1942-1945.
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Air Force official photographer
Army casualties on stretchers being loaded into a Douglas Dakota of No. 267 Squadron RAF at Catania, Sicily, for evacuation to hospitals in North Africa.
THE CAMPAIGN IN SICILY 1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit
The Drive for Messina 10 July - 17 August 1943: A British soldier views the town of Villa Rosa from a nearby hill. The word 'DUCE' is painted in large letters on all the buildings.
THE CAMPAIGN IN SICILY 1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit
Personalities: The British commanders of Operation Husky planning their operations in Malta, left to right: The Chief of Staff to General Montgomery, Major General F W de Guingand; Senior Air Staff Officer to Air Vice Marshal Broadhurst, Air Commodore C...