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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TOPICAL BUDGET 233-1 (fragment) [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1916-02-07
I. Newsreel item on the Bishop of London dedicating two Army ambulances in Stoke Newington, North London, February 1916.
TOPICAL BUDGET 246-2 (fragment) [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1916-05-11
I. Newsreel item on the "Lamp Day Fund" in London, May 1916.
WITH THE BRITISH FORCES FOR THE DEFENCE OF SALONIKA [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1916
Disjointed film of British forces on the Salonika Front, probably mid-1916.
PICTORIAL NEWS (OFFICIAL) 344-2 [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1918-04-01
I. Stock battle footage.
PICTORIAL NEWS (OFFICIAL) 354-1 [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1918-06-06
I. Chelsea Pensioners are inspected by General Lyttelton on Foundation Day.
TOPICAL BUDGET 279-1 [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1916-12-27
I. California alligator farm.
TOPICAL BUDGET 283-2 [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1917-01-27
I. Women help harvest tobacco crop.
TOPICAL BUDGET 276-2 [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1916-12-09
I. Troops disassemble mountain gun.
WAR OFFICE OFFICIAL TOPICAL BUDGET 314-2 [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1917-09-01
I. A society wedding.
TOPICAL BUDGET (items) [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1916-02-26
I. Military football match.