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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Being So Cheerful: The First Wireless War
(sound) Made by: BBC Radio 4 (Production company) 1999-08-03
BBC Radio 4 three-part series entitled 'Being So Cheerful' about how the BBC's wartime wireless programmes kept Britain entertained during the Second World War. Part 1. The First Wireless War.
Being So Cheerful: The Yanks Are Coming!
(sound) Made by: BBC Radio 4 (Production company) 1999-08-03
BBC Radio 4 three-part series entitled 'Being So Cheerful' about how the BBC's wartime wireless programmes kept Britain entertained during the Second World War. Part 3. The Yanks Are Coming!
recording
(sound) Made by: Allen, Charles (Production company) 1983
British army soldier on National Service, served in Singapore District Signal Regiment from 1956, during the Emergency
recording
(sound) Made by: Allen, Charles (Production company) 1983
British army serviceman, stationed in Hong Kong in 1940. Involved in defence of Hong Kong after outbreak of war with Japan in 1941
recording
(sound) Made by: Allen, Charles (Production company) 1983
British civilian. Served with the Merchant Navy from 1921-1925. Worked for British Malay Rubber company in Malaya from 1926. Conditions of service and routine on plantation at Nilai, Malaya. Social life. In 1939 when on leave in GB took commission with...
The Drums Of Battle
(sound) Made by: BBC Radio 4 (recorder) 2000-09
BBC Radio 4 programmes entitled 'Drums Of Battle' examining the influence of war and conflict on music during the First and Second World Wars
D Day - 6 June 1944
(sound) Made by: BBC Radio 4 (Production company) 1984
British soldier landed 7/6/1944 off Arromanches during Operation Overlord, 6/1944: fighting round Caen and Falaise area.
D Day - 6 June 1944
(sound) Made by: BBC Radio 4 (Production company) 1984
British soldier landed in France 10 days before D Day disguised as farmworker to meet Resistance Movement in Operation Overlord, D Day, 6/6/1944: shot by gendarme, secured Pegasus Bridge.
D Day - 6 June 1944
(sound) Made by: BBC Radio 4 (Production company) 1984
British soldier landed on Sword Beach, Operation Overlord, 6/1994.
D Day - 6 June 1944
(sound) Made by: BBC Radio 4 (Production company) 1984
British soldier served in Operation Overlord, D Day, 6/6/1944.