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

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...
"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.
death mask, Field Marshal Earl Haig
(souvenirs and ephemera)
The death mask of Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig KT GCB GCVO KCIE (1861-1928) who was Commander-in-Chief British Expeditionary Force, France and Flanders 1915-1918. Created Earl Haig in 1919.
Camouflage, First World War Coastal Anti-Aircraft site
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Special Works, R.E. 1919
Made for Exhibition at Burlington House, 1919
Trench Raid - Over The Top
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: John Powell
"Described as "Trench Raid - Over The Top", in a display case with push button illumination. Also described as "Model - trench scene, showing British and German lines meeting in battle".
Gallipoli Peninsula (S Beach to X Beach)
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Dunthorne, Robert G 1923
Early 1920s model depicting the Gallipoli Peninsula on the morning of the Allied landings, 25 April 1915, showing the disposition of the various ships.
12" MkV Howitzer on Railway Truck MkIII Mounting
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Messrs. Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth & Co 1919
Caption: Model of B.L. 12 inch Howitzer on Railway Mounting Scale: one inch to one foot Maximum Range 15,000 yards (8.5 miles) Weight of shell 750lbs Ammunition 255,000 rounds were despatched from this country...
British Tanks Breaking The Hindenburg Line on 20 November 1917
(vehicles, aircraft and ships)
This stylisitic model shows how the Tanks operated in groups of three in order to tactically breach the defences of the Hindenburg Line. It takes the form of a tray type of model, with a perspex lid, that is viewed from above.
Successful Camouflage of Two 9.2 inch Howitzer Emplacements
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Special Works, Royal Engineers 1919
Successful Camouflage of Two 9.2 inch Howitzer Emplacements: To give the appearance from the air of a small camp or store. One howitzer is covered by a Nissen Hut built on rails so that it can be drawn back before the howitzer is fired. The second...
Successful Camouflage of an 8-inch Howitzer Emplacement
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Camouflage School, Royal Engineers 1919
Successful Camouflage of an 8-inch Howitzer Emplacement: The emplacment in the yard of a ruined farm is covered with fish netting to which is sewn coloured strips of cloth. This gives it the appearance of a heap of refuse and debris when seen from the...