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

Webbing, 1908 pattern (Battle Order)
(equipment) Made by: Mills Equipment Company 1919
Following the criticism of the Slade-Wallace equipment worn on campaign in South Africa during the Second Anglo-Boer War and its unsuitability for future service, the 1903 Pattern Bandolier Equipment was introduced. Although it had advantages over its...
Helmet, Wolseley pattern (Tropical)
(uniforms and insignia)
First World War period British Army issue 'tropical helmet'. The 'Wolesley' pattern helmets were worn by personnel in all tropical theatres as well as the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It was believed that the helmet was effective in protecting the...
Webbing, 1937 pattern (Skeleton Order)
(equipment)
Like the 1908 pattern webbing equipment of the First World War, the 1937 pattern was constructed of pre-shrunk canvas, a very durable and practical material in all but very wettest conditions. Based around the need to accommodate a different and more...
Webbing, 1937 (Indian) Pattern (Skeleton Order)

Like the 1908 pattern webbing equipment of the First World War, the 1937 pattern was constructed of pre-shrunk canvas, a very durable and practical material in all but very wettest conditions. Based around the need to accommodate a different and more...
foreign service helmet, Solar Pith, Indian service
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: Peninsular Hat Manufacturing Company, Calcutta 1937
Solar Pith helmets, lighter than the standard foreign service helmets, were introduced in the late 1930's for operations, especially on the North West Frontier.
Webbing, 1908 Pattern (set)
(equipment) Made by: MW and S Limited 1918
The high degree of adverse criticism levelled at the Slade-Wallace equipment as worn on campaign in during the Second Anglo-Boer War resulted in general agreement of its unsuitability for future service. The 1903 pattern bandolier equipment was...
officer's shako, unidentified, experimental pattern
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: Hawkes & Co, London
no badges etc to identify unit
shako, experimental
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: Hawkes & Co, London
Possibly designed for ceremonial use.
shako, red cords, experimental pattern
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: Hobson and Sons, London
shako
shako, experimental pattern, yellow cords
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: Hobson and Sons, London
probably designed for ceremonial use only