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

riding crop
(equipment)
The item is associated with a brass-framed plaque stating as follows: THIS CROP WAS CARRIED BY THE LATE Field Marshal Lord Haig DURING THE WHOLE WAR AND GIVEN TO Sir Richard Butler IN REMEMBRANCE.
Distinguished Conduct Medal & DCM
(decorations and awards) Made by: Royal Mint
Specimen example of a King George V issue DCM, first type with bar (denoting subsequent award). Obverse design (Royal effigy) was by Sir Bertram MacKennal and his initials are beneath the monarch's left shoulder. A bar for subsequent acts of gallantry...
General Service Medal (1918-1964)
(decorations and awards) Made by: Royal Mint
Specimen example of a King George V issue campaign medal with 6 clasps (the full complement of clasps awarded during the reign of George V). The medal was instituted for award to personnel of the Army and Royal Air Force and the associated claps record...
FIELD-MARSHAL SIR JOHN FRENCH
(decorations and awards) Made by: Huguenin, H 1915
whole : description : MODEL piece : obverse design : Field Marshal Sir John French, bust, full face, slightly turned to left, in uniform and cap piece : obverse text : "FIELD-MARSHAL SIR JOHN FRENCH" piece : reverse design : bomb, spherical, exploding,...
Badge of a Member of the Order of Merit (Military Division) & OM
(decorations and awards) 1914
Badge of the Order of Merit (OM) awarded to Field Marshal Sir John French (1st Earl of Ypres).
Volunteer Officers' Decoration (1892-1908) & VD (see Notes)
(decorations and awards) 1940-10-15
Volunteer long service medal awarded to Lieutent-Colonel Thomas Gibson Poole.
JEWISH RECRUIT MEDAL, 1918
(decorations and awards) 1918
whole: MODEL obverse design : palm tree, centrally positioned between, left, Roman soldier, "Judea capta" type, and, right, Judea, personified by a standing robed and veiled woman, her hands bound by chains exergue : text in Hebrew characters translated...
Meritorious Service Medal (Medal for Meritorious Service) (Army)
(decorations and awards) Made by: Royal Mint
Specimen example of a King George V issue MSM, having a third pattern ribbon, introduced 1917. Obverse design (Royal effigy) by Sir Bertram Mackennal (note initials at base of bust). References : Gordon, L L (Major) : 1959 : British Orders and Awards pp...
FIELD-MARSHAL LORD KITCHENER
(decorations and awards) 1916
whole : description : MODEL piece : obverse design : Field Marshal Lord Kitchener, bust, three-quarter left profile, in uniform adorned with the badge of the Order of Merit, Military Division. Kitchener's head is flanked by branches of laurel piece :...
badge, sample pattern, staff sergeant drummer
(uniforms and insignia) 1924
card: reverse inscribed (373 deleted) 333 (L209 deleted)