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

steel helmet, 1944 pattern
(uniforms and insignia)
helmet
Steel Helmet, MKI Brodie Pattern, with Cruise Visor
(uniforms and insignia)
Attached tag reads "picked up at Agincourt 25th October 1917 (Agincourt Day C. Halkes)
Slouch Hat (Ronald Searle)
(uniforms and insignia)
This headdress was worn by celebrated artist Ronald Searle whilst a prisoner of the Japanese during the Second World War. Ronald Searle, of Cambridge, joined the Territorials (Royal Engineers) before the outbreak of hostilities. Searle was captured by...
steel helmet, 1944 pattern
(uniforms and insignia)
Second World War period British Army 1944 pattern steel helmet. No known associations.
Cap, 1905 pat. Service Dress, O/Rs (SP 1912)
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: Myers and Co 1912
The standard service dress cap prescribed for wear by all non-commissioned ranks of the British Army from 1905, excluding Scottish regiments. With its round top and stiff peak, the cap was not an entirely practical form of headdress in sunshine or windy...
Steel Helmet, MKI Brodie pattern, original sample
(uniforms and insignia)
Original caption: The original Type "B" brodie pattern steel anti-shrapnel helmet approved by the War Office in September 1915. A steel helmet has been issued to the French troops in the spring of 1915. In August and September, the British authorities...
officer's service dress cap, experimental pattern, "Dress For The Eighties
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: Tower Uniform Headdress Limited, Hertfordshire
cap rifle green service cap with black peak with gold braid trim, no badges or chin strap
officer's service dress cap, general
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: Flights Ltd, London
cap
shako, experimental pattern, boat shaped, with black cords
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: Hobson and Sons, London
shako
shako, normal shaped crown, black cords, experimental
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: Hobson & Sons, London
shako