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 Guard in a Block House (two soldiers)
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1940
image: One soldier stands to attention, the other lies on a palette against the embrasure, through which can be seen the countryside. In front of the embrasure there is a theodolite on a tripod. There are rifles stacked against the wall.
Pulling off the Padre's Boots
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1940
image: The Padre, foreground left is in his bedroom, he lies exhausted in a chair. His batman kneeling foreground right, is pulling off his boots.
The Brigadier at Bailleul
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1940
image: The Brigadier and two of his staff stand foreground right at the corner of the square at Bailleul. He returns the salutes of two passing Scottish soldiers.
Life with the BEF, 1940: Daughters of Madame at the Hotel St. Eloi
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1940
image: In the foreground there is a young woman in a black dress leaning against a bar, facing the artist. Through a door, in the background there is a group of soldiers playing snooker, the corner of the table only just visible from behind the wall.
Life with the BEF, 1940: Daughters of Madame at the Hotel St. Eloi
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1940
image: In the foreground there is a woman wearing a black dress and an apron carrying a tray. She is walking away from the artist but has turned back to look at him. Through a door, in the background we see two soldiers playing snooker.
War Memorial, Vieux Berquin
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1940
image: Two British soldiers stand in front of a church in a town square. They are looking at a war memorial featuring a sculpture of a female figure bearing a sword. In the background a soldier is moving a field gun and another is running across the...
The Public Relations Staff at Breakfast
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1940
image: A group of middle-aged British officers sit around a table, drinking tea. One is reading the paper. A French waiter brings a tray of coffee to them.
Difficulties of the Language
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1940
image: Two soldiers in a pharmacist shop, one is pointing at his mouth and rubbing his stomach. The man behind the counter is offering him a bottle of Vichy water. On the counter there are several jars and an advert for stomach medicine.
Brigade HQ
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1940
image: a sentry stands in the foreground right in front of his guard post. He stands by the wrought iron gates of a fine country house which can be seen behind.
GHQ has a Nice Taste in Forage Caps!
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1940
image: A carictaure of five officers looking at each other at close proximity. They are all wearing different caps. There are some other soldiers in the background.