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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Lieut-General Sir George Henry Fowke, KCB
(art) Made by: Dodd, Francis (RA) 1917-03-25
image: a half length portrait of General George Fowke in uniform, seated with his hands in his lap.
Major-General Sir John Philip Du Cane, KCB
(art) Made by: Dodd, Francis (RA) 1917-04-02
image: a three quarter length portrait of General Sir John Du Cane, seated with his hands interlaced on his lap
Lieut-General Sir J S Cowans, KCB, MVO
(art) Made by: Dodd, Francis (RA) 1917-08-09
image: a three quarter length portrait of General Sir John Cowans in uniform, seated with his arms resting on the arms of a chair and a desk sketched behind.
General Sir Charles Fergusson, Bart, KCB, MVO, DSO
(art) Made by: Dodd, Francis (RA) 1917-03-09
image: a three quarter length portrait of General Charles Fergusson in uniform, seated with his hands folded in his lap.
Lieut-General Sir Edward Arthur Fanshawe, KCB
(art) Made by: Dodd, Francis (RA) 1917-02-13
image: a half length portrait of General Sir Edward Fanshawe in uniform, standing with his arms behind his back.
Major-General Sir John Edward Capper, KCB
(art) Made by: Dodd, Francis (RA) 1918-01-17
image: a three quarter lengh portrait of Major-General Sir John Capper in uniform, seated with his legs crossed, his body in left profile and his head turned forward.
Lieut-General The Hon Sir J H Byng, KCB, KCMG, MVO
(art) Made by: Dodd, Francis (RA) 1917-02-15
image: a half length portrait of General Sir Julian Byng in uniform, seated with his hands in his tunic pockets.
Lieut-General Sir W N Congreve, VC, KCB, MVO
(art) Made by: Dodd, Francis (RA) 1917-04-06
image: a three quarter length portrait of General Sir Walter Congreve in unform, seated with his legs crossed, his hands crossed on his lap and with the right hand holding his cap.
Lieut-General The Earl of Cavan, KP, GCMG, KCB, MVO
(art) Made by: Dodd, Francis (RA) 1917-03-28
image: a half length portrait of Lieutenant-General The Earl of Cavan in uniform, seated with his hands clasped before him.
Lieut-General Sir Charles Louis Woollcombe, KCB
(art) Made by: Dodd, Francis (RA) 1917-03-31
image: a half length portrait of Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Woollcombe in uniform, sitting behind a desk with his hands on his lap.