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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Colt New Service
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co, Hartford, CT, USA
No description available
Colt Official Police .38-200
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co, Hartford, CT, USA
One of over 49,000 ordered in this calibre by Britain 1940-41. The W in crown mark is associated with British Purchasing commission.
Colt Officers Model Heavy Barrel
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co, Hartford, CT, USA
Modification to muzzle was carried out to enable use of .38-200 in British service. One of 700 acquired by the British Purchasing Commission in this specification. No lanyard ring. Traces of red paint in the lettering of the barrel may indicate that this...
Thompson Model 1928A
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co, Hartford, CT, USA
Altered inscription indicates that the gun was originally assembled without a Cutt's compensator (although one has been added subsequently to this specimen) as guns assembled with compensators were designated 1928AC (see for example FIR 6190). The serial...
Colt M1903 Pocket Hammerless (Model M)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co, Hartford, CT, USA 1920
one of 3,300 purchased from commercial sources by the War Office in 1921, probably for service in Ireland. Rare pistol.
Colt M1903 Pocket Hammerless (Model M)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co, Hartford, CT, USA 1921
one of 3,300 purchased from commercial sources by the War Office in 1921, probably for service in Ireland. Rare pistol.
Colt M1903 Pocket Hammerless (Model M)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co, Hartford, CT, USA 1921
one of 3,300 purchased from commercial sources by the War Office in 1921, probably for service in Ireland. Rare pistol.
Colt M1903 Pocket Hammerless (Model M)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co, Hartford, CT, USA 1921
one of 3,300 Colt 1903 pistols purchased by the War Office in 1921 from the commercial trade, presumably for service in Ireland. During the Second World War, many of these were passed to the Royal Air Force, and possibly the Special Operations Executive.
Colt M1903 Pocket Hammerless (Model M)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co, Hartford, CT, USA 1921
one of 3,300 Colt 1903 pistols purchased by the War Office in 1921 from the commercial trade, presumably for service in Ireland. During the Second World War, many of these were passed to the Royal Air Force, and possibly the Special Operations Executive.
Colt M1908 Pocket Hammerless (Model M)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co, Hartford, CT, USA 1915
shorter final length of barrel. Fourth form of left slide inscription, second form of slide serrations (triangular), first form of slide lock safety, fourth type of grips. London proof marks.