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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POINT OF VIEW [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Moving Picture Company (Production company) 1974-08
Television commercial for the British Army focusing on the young crew of a REME FV434 maintenance carrier on exercise in Germany.
SUEZ IN PERSPECTIVE [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Central Office of Information (Production sponsor) 1956
A justification of the Anglo-French 'intervention' in Suez.
FLY WITH THE RAF [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Anvil Films (Production company) 1975
Film illustrating the work of the various commands of the RAF.
ARMY TV COMMERCIAL - HOME VISIT [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Barron, Keith (Production cast) 1972
Army recruitment television commercial.
ARMY TV COMMERCIAL - TEA BAR [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Central Office of Information (Production sponsor) 1972
Army recruitment television commercial.
LATE CALL [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Mason, Barry J (Production individual) 1965
Film, introduced by Captain Guy Morgan DSO, charting how a naval assault task force could be deployed. Footage is based on the exercise "Dark Night".
ARMY TELEVISION COMMERCIAL - TRAVEL [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Central Office of Information (Production sponsor) 1973-09-18
Television commercial for the British Army.
ARMY TELEVISION COMMERCIAL - PHONE BOOK ENDING [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Filmfex Animation (Production company) 1970-04-15
End caption only of Army (television ?) commercial for the British Army: "Go to your local Army Careers Information Office. The address is in the phone book under 'Army'."
THE RIGHT MAN : part three [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Jago, Jo (Production individual) 1970
Exploration of four occupational interest areas within the British Army - scientific and precision maintenance, survey, printing and photography, administration and special interest. Last of three films aimed at helping new recruits to choose which area...
THE RIGHT MAN : part two [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Jago, Jo (Production individual) 1970
Exploration of three occupational interest areas within the British Army - outdoor and practical crafts, drivers, mechanical maintenance and workshop crafts, and specialist operators and storemen. Second of three films aimed at helping new recruits to...