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

trench stick
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Henry Howell & Co Ltd
This loaded stick was intended for private purchase by British officers serving at the Front during the First World War. Many officers were in the habit of carrying walking sticks or canes, and this stick offered the added possibility of use as a weapon...
British trench club [officer's knobkerry ?]
(weapons and ammunition)
Cane (?) with bulbous leaded head, bound in plaited cord, leather wriststrap attached by whipcord binding
trench stick
(weapons and ammunition)
sapling stalk, weighted with lead, with leather bound grip
7 x 43 : [GB] ; .280 inch British, ball, type A
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd (Kynoch) (GB & Witton, Birmingham) 1947
Description: British post war contender for NATO adoption, chambered in the EM2 rifle (see FIR). Although the .280 of 1950 (and the 7mm of 1953) was an excellent round, it was not adopted in face of American intransigence, and the 7.62mm NATO was adopted...
7 x 43 : [GB] ; .280 in British
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Royal Ordnance Factory, Radway Green (GB & near Crewe, Cheshire) 1948
British post war contender for NATO adoption, chambered in the EM2 rifle (see FIR). Although the .280 of 1950 (and the 7mm of 1953) was an excellent round, it was not adopted in face of American intransigence, and the 7.62mm NATO was adopted instead,...
11.56 x 19R : [GB] Cartridge, SA, ball, revolver, .455-inch, Mark 4
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Royal Laboratory (GB & Greenwich, London)
Description: The Mark II was adopted for British service in July 1897. It retained the 265 grain bullet of the Mark I, but the case was shortened to improve burning efficiency with the chopped cordite propellant. The performance of this bullet was...
11.56 x 19R : [GB] Cartridge, SA, ball, revolver, .455-inch, Mk 3
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Royal Laboratory (GB & Woolwich, London)
Reference: Dowell, W C : 1962 : The Webley Story : Skyrac Press : pp 241, 244-245. Description: The Mark II was adopted for British service in July 1897. It retained the 265 grain bullet of the Mark I, but the case was shortened to improve burning...
11.56 x 22R : [GB] ; Cartridge, SA, ball, revolver, .455-inch, Mk I
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Royal Laboratory (GB & Woolwich, London)
Reference: : : 1897 : Treatise on Ammunition : War Office : : p 400. Description: Approved for service in July 1891 for the Webley and Enfield revolvers. It was loaded with an ogival lead/tin alloy bullet with three cannelures and a base cavity. and a...
switch, time delay, 'L' Delay, no 9
(weapons and ammunition)
developed for clandestine use; typically used by Special Operations Executive (SOE); operation : striker, pulled by upwards by spring, restrained by lead element with known breaking strain
switch, time delay, 'L' Delay, no 9
(weapons and ammunition)
developed for clandestine use; typically used by Special Operations Executive (SOE); operation : striker, pulled by upwards by spring, restrained by lead element with known breaking strain