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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Collections search

Grenade, hand, No 69 Mk I
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Thomas De La Rue, London 1940
British No 69 Mark I hand grenade, Second World War period, manufactured in black bakelite by Thomas De La Rue, London, in 1940.
Grenade, hand, anti-tank, No 73 Mk 1 ('Thermos Flask')
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Metal Box Co Ltd (Walton, Liverpool) 1941
This British Second World War period No 73 Grenade Mk 1, sometimes referred to as the 'Thermos Flask' model, for obvious reasons, was first introduced into service in November 1940, but declared obsolete in October 1941. It was reintroduced in March 1943...
Grenade, hand, anti-tank, No 73 Mk 1 ('Thermos Flask')
(weapons and ammunition)
This British Second World War period No 73 Grenade Mk 1, sometimes referred to as the 'Thermos Flask' model, for obvious reasons, was first introduced into service in November 1940, but declared obsolete in October 1941. It was reintroduced in March 1943...
Grenade, hand and rifle, chemical, No 92 WP (Sectioned)
(weapons and ammunition)
British No 92 WP (Sectioned) chemical hand or rifle grenade, Second World War period, in metal bakelite and clay.
Grenade, hand, anti-tank, No 74 Mk 2, S T/Sticky Bomb
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: I C I A
British No 74 Mark II anti-tank hand grenade (ST/'Sticky Bomb'), Second World War period, in metal, glass, bakelite and cloth.
Fuze No 2, " Allways ", (sectioned)
(weapons and ammunition)
safety cap, fuse housing, striker casing, striker, creeper spring, safety bolt, activating tape, ball, closing cap Bakelite tube (fuse housing) with top rim threaded inside and out and external threading on bottom, below lower rim; small steel tube (...
medical chest, repatriated prisoner of war
(equipment) 1943
Was issued to a Warrant Officer who was repatriated via Gothenburg in Sweden, 1943. His ship, the Grypsholm, was scheduled to take him to Canada, but changed course to return him to the UK instead. He left the chest with the donor as a token of thanks...
Grenade, Hand, No 69 MkI
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Thomas De La Rue, London 1940
grenade body, safety cap, striker housing, base plug black bakelite grenade with grip around middle, integral metal detonator housing in middle; striker housing screws into top; safety bolt & activating tape missing; safety cap screwed in to top of...
Grenade, Hand, No 69 MkI
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Thomas De La Rue, London 1940
grenade body, safety cap, base plug, striker housing, bolt/activating tape black bakelite grenade with grip around middle, integral metal detonator housing in middle; striker housing screws into top; safety bolt through middle of striker housing attached...
Grenade, Hand, No 69
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Thomas De La Rue, London 1940
grenade body, safety cap, striker housing, base plug black bakelite grenade with grip around middle (main body cracked), integral metal detonator housing in middle; striker housing screws into top; safety cap screwed in to top of main body, covering...