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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Horsedrawn Sand Cart
(vehicles, aircraft and ships)
Sand or Desert Ambulance Cart. In Egypt, Sinai and Palestine, the narrow wheeled regulation pattern was useless, sinking in the sand. At first, 10, then 22, Sand Carts, were issued to each Field Ambulance.
Horsedrawn GS Mk.VIII Wagon
(vehicles, aircraft and ships)
Model of British First world war horse-drawn Wagon GS MkII, complete with associated equipment, and stores. It has a natural wood finish, black lettering, and simple but "heavy" non-scale fittings. It also has two rather out of scale horses. To...
Cap, Service Dress (F/M Haig)
(uniforms and insignia)
This cap was worn by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig KT GCB GCVO KCIE (1861-1928), Commander in Chief British Expeditionary Force, France & Flanders 1915-1918. Created Earl Haig in 1919.
Briefing model - Part of Juno & Sword Beaches (D-Day)
(vehicles, aircraft and ships)
Part of an incomplete British Second World War briefing model (scale of 1/5280) made in preparation for the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, 6 June 1944. The model comprises six sections, four of which cover the coastline from Berniers to La Breche, and...
private purchase medical kit
(equipment) Made by: Army & Navy Co-operative Society Ltd, London
Privately purchased kit associated with the First World War service (in the British Army) of F C Levey
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...
Boots, 1914 pattern ankle boots (brown): British Army
(uniforms and insignia)
Boots Brown leather ankle length boots with studded soles. The boots have holes drilled to the heels for display purposes.
doll, Father Christmas
(souvenirs and ephemera)
'Father Christmas' needlwork doll associated with the First World War service of Lance Corporal Charles James Frampton. Lance Corporal Frampton made this doll whilst recuperating in hospital from injuries he sustained on the Western Front. He later died...
'Trenchman' belt
(souvenirs and ephemera)
First World War period commercially produced (unofficial) personal kit in the form of a broad waist belt, which was claimed by its manufacturers to provide protection for the wearer from body infestations (notably lice) and 'chills' resulting from the...
Princess Mary's Gift Fund 1914 Box, Class A smokers
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Princess Mary's Gift Fund 1914 Box. The Gift Fund was inaugurated by Princess Mary in October 1914 to provide a gift for every serviceman at the front or at sea ('Class A') for the first Christmas of the First World War. The majority of gifts were for...