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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BRITISH POLITICAL PERSONALITIES 1936-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit
The Churchill Coalition Government 11 May 1940 - 23 May 1945: An Army Bureau of Current Affairs course at the American University in Beirut, for officers stationed in the Middle East. A medical officer is shown giving a lecture on plans for a post-war...
THE CAMPAIGN IN NORTH AFRICA 1940-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit
El Alamein: Distant view of a tank battle on Miteiriya Ridge showing a British tank on fire during the evening of 25 October.
THE CAMPAIGN IN NORTH AFRICA 1940-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit
El Alamein 1942: A mine explodes close to a British truck as it carries infantry through enemy minefields and wire to the new front lines.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
British troops with German POWs being transported on a Fordson WOT2 15cwt truck, near Gournay-en-Bray, 31 August 1944.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
Archer 17-pdr self-proplled guns drive through the ruins of Bocholt, 30 March 1945.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
Troops in Bocholt enjoy a song beside their half-track to the accompaniment of a German accordion, 31 March 1945.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
Infantry and carriers in Bocholt, 30 March 1945.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
Sick former POWs enjoying the sun in their open air sickbay at Stalag 357 at Fallingbostel, 16 April 1945.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
Soldiers eating their rations in Rethem, 16 April 1945. One is using a small swastika pennant as a napkin.
DISPLACED PERSONS AND REFUGEES IN GERMANY
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1945-05-18
The Displaced Persons camp within the grounds of Hamburg Zoo was build by the Blohm & Voss company during WWII to house the forced labourers that worked in their factory. The camp was taken over by the British on 5 May 1945 and quickly given over as...