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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lanyard, British, sealed pattern
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lanyard, 4x labels, 2x wax seals A double cord lanyard woven in red/green/white with button loops at either end which are secured with woven knots (turks heads), four large white paper labels are tied to the lanyard and are similarly inscribed as follows...
brassard, British, sealed pattern, Baggage
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brassard, label, wax seal A rectangular scarlet cloth brassard with lettering "BAGGAGE" which appears to have been stencilled on centre obverse in blue/black, complete with brass buckle fastening at one end, the other end tapers to a point, tied to the...
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brassard, label, wax seal A rectangular plain rifle green cloth brassard, there is a brass buckle on the wide end of the armband, the other end tapers for buckle fastening, tied to the armband is a wax seal on khaki fabric rectangle and a white paper...
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brassard, label, wax seal A rectangular cloth brassard comprising two wide horizontal stripes - one of dark green and one of black, there is a blackened metal buckle on the wide end of the armband, the other end tapers for buckle fastening, tied to the...
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brassard, label, wax seal A rectangular cloth brassard comprising a wide horizontal stripe of green and white, there is a brass buckle on the wide end of the armband, the other end tapers for buckle fastening, tied to the armband with pink cotton tape is...
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brassard, label, wax seal A rectangular cloth brassard comprising three horizontal stripes of green/red/green, there is a brass buckle on the wide end of the armband, the other end tapers for buckle fastening, tied to the armband with pink cotton tape is...
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