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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PHALANX GUN, IRAQ, 4 JUNE 2007 (TAPE 3) [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Platfoot, Loz (Corporal, RAF) (Production individual) 2007-06-04
Extended footage showing a Land-based Phalanx Weapon System (LPWS) gun with PAC (Pre-Aimed Calibration) being trained and test-fired. Medium static shot showing the gun behind a Hessco barrier.
PHALANX GUN, 4 JUNE 2007 (TAPE 1) [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Platfoot, Loz (Corporal, RAF) (Production individual) 2007-06-04
Extended footage showing a Land-based Phalanx Weapon System (LPWS) gun with PAC (Pre-Aimed Calibration) being trained and test-fired. This tape was shot using a helmet-camera and focuses on the gun barrel.
PHALANX GUN, IRAQ, 4 JUNE 2007 (TAPE 2) [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Platfoot, Loz (Corporal, RAF) (Production individual) 2007-06-04
Extended footage showing a Land-based Phalanx Weapon System (LPWS) gun with PAC (Pre-Aimed Calibration) being trained and test-fired. Footage here is taken from a static camera on the ground looking up at the gun installation.
OPERATION OOZE, BASRA, 27 MAY 2006 [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Defence Media Operations Centre (Production sponsor) 2006-05-27
Scenes from Operation Ooze, a search and arrest mission against suspected insurgents in Basra City, carried out by members of 1st Battalion the Light Infantry in support of Iraqi special forces. Partly shot with an image intensifier.
OPERATION PINN, BASRA, 3-4 JUNE 2006 [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Defence Media Operations Centre (Production sponsor) 2006-06-03
Scenes from Operation Pinn, routine operations in Basra City carried out by British and Iraqi forces.
OPERATION PINN, BASRA, 3-4 JUNE 2006 (EDIT) [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Defence Media Operations Centre (Production sponsor) 2006-06-03
Scenes from Operation Pinn, routine operations in Basra City carried out by British and Iraqi forces.
OPERATION OOZE, BASRA, 27 MAY 2006 (ROUGH EDIT) [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Defence Media Operations Centre (Production sponsor) 2006-05-27
Scenes from Operation Ooze, a search and arrest mission against suspected insurgents in Basra City, carried out by members of 1st Battalion the Light Infantry in support of Iraqi special forces. Partly shot with an image intensifier.
OPERATION CROUCH, BASRA, 14 JUNE 2006 (ROUGH EDIT) [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Defence Media Operations Centre (Production sponsor) 2006-06-14
Scenes from Operation Crouch, a small scale search and arrest operation in Basra City. Shot with an image intensifier.
OPERATION CROUCH, BASRA, 14 JUNE 2006 [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Defence Media Operations Centre (Production sponsor) 2006-06-14
Scenes from Operation Crouch, a small scale search and arrest operation in Basra City. Shot with an image intensifier.
OPERATION PECOS, BASRA, 13 JUNE 2006 (ROUGH EDIT) [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Defence Media Operations Centre (Production sponsor) 2006-06-13
Scenes from Operation Pecos, a search and arrest operation on suspect houses in Basra City.