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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MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Engineers No 1 Printing Company 1916-07
Battle of Albert. British troops resting in a captured mine crater. July 1916.
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Engineers No 1 Printing Company 1916-07
Battle of Albert. British officers observing from a communication trench. July 1916.
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Engineers No 1 Printing Company 1916-07-01
Battle of Albert. British troops attacking German trenches near Mametz. 1st July 1916
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Engineers No 1 Printing Company 1916-07-01
Battle of Albert. A bombardment near La Boisselle, 1st July 1916
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Engineers No 1 Printing Company 1916-07-01
Battle of Albert. British troops attacking German trenches near Mametz. 1st July 1916
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Engineers No 1 Printing Company 1916-07
German prisoners captured by the British during the Somme Offensive; Meaulte, July 1916
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Engineers No 1 Printing Company 1916-07
German prisoners captured by the British during the Somme Offensive, July 1916
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Engineers No 1 Printing Company 1916-07
British troops wearing German helmets captured during the Somme Offensive, July 1916
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Engineers No 1 Printing Company 1916-07-01
Battle of Albert. British troops making a bombing attack on the German trenches near Fricourt, 1st July 1916
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Engineers No 1 Printing Company 1916-07-19
British troops resting after a tour of duty in the trenches. 19th July 1916.