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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Webley .455 Mark 5 revolver
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: P Webley & Son, Birmingham England 1914
The Webley Mk V was the standard British service revolver at the outbreak of the First World War. It was one of a series of .455 inch calibre Webley revolvers which were the standard issue pistols of the British Army from 1887 onwards. They were robust...
Webley .455 Mark 6 (VI military)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: P Webley & Son, Birmingham England 1916
some loss of finish, significant pitting on barrel and top strap
Webley .455 Mark 6 (VI military)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: P Webley & Son, Birmingham England 1918
The Webley Mk VI was adopted for service in 1915; the last of a series of .455 inch calibre Webley revolvers which were the standard issue pistols of the British Army from 1887 onwards. They were robust and powerful weapons, which gave excellent service...
Webley .455 Mark 6 (VI military)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: P Webley & Son, Birmingham England 1917
sold out of store. Cosmo Clark was a Trustee of the Imperial War Museum
Webley .455 Mark 6 (VI military)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: P Webley & Son, Birmingham England 1917
this may be a refurbishment during the Second World War.
Webley .455 Mark 6 (VI military)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: P Webley & Son, Birmingham England 1918
Stolen while on loan to Harwich Redoubt.
Webley .455 Mark 6 (VI military)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: P Webley & Son, Birmingham England 1918
frame is dated 1918, barrel 1917.
Webley .455 Mark 6 (VI military)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: P Webley & Son, Birmingham England 1918
blued
Webley .455 Mark 6 (VI military)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: P Webley & Son, Birmingham England 1915
blued
Webley .455 Mark 6 (VI military)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: P Webley & Son, Birmingham England 1917
blued