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

"Wipers" - Maquette for the Hoylake War Memorial, West Kirby
(art) Made by: Jagger, Charles Sargeant
image: a maquette of a British infantrymen, shown full length brandishing a rifle with bayonet attached. He stands with a German pickelhaube at his feet.
Die Mondsüchtigen. auf Gallipoli
(decorations and awards) Made by: Goetz, Karl 1916
obverse design: soldier, British kilted, standing facing right, wearing glengarry and puttees, holding model steam yacht with both arms. Below the Scottish soldier a French infantryman, much smaller than the Scot, kneeling and aiming his rifle to the...
Croix de Guerre 1914-1918, Belgium
(decorations and awards)
Belgian Croix de Guerre (1914-1918) awarded to Major-General Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby (GOC Cavalry Division and 3rd Army) for his service on the Western Front in the period 1914-1917, the 'palme en bronze' denotes 'Mentioned in Despatches'. For...
HONNEUR AUX DEFENSEURS D'ARRAS
(decorations and awards) Made by: Mayeur, Arthur Jules 1918
whole : description : MODEL, SECONDARY & (SEE) MED/398 piece : exergue : "1914-1918" (above horizontal palm leaf)
F2005.2 & Croix de Guerre (1939-1945 (France))
(decorations and awards) 1945
Second World War period French Croix de Guerre awarded to General Sir Richard Nugent O'Connor, British Army.
Soldier Lighting a Pipe
(art) Made by: Hartwell, Charles Leonard (RA)
No description available
Seated Soldier with a Child
(art) Made by: Hartwell, Charles Leonard (RA) 1920
No description available
Soldier Blowing a Bugle
(art) Made by: Hartwell, Charles Leonard (RA)
No description available
GENERAL..SIR.A.WAVELL.
(decorations and awards) 1941
whole : description : MODEL piece : design : General Sir Archibald Wavell, bust, three-quarter right profile, in uniform and cap piece : text : ".GENERAL..SIR.A.WAVELL."
Ashanti Star (1896)
(decorations and awards)
Third Ashanti War (1895-96) campaign medal awarded to Captain E N Buchanan-Boyd, British Army. This medal (the design of which is attributed to Princess Henry of Battenberg whose husband died of fever whilst taking part in the campaign) was awarded to...