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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ALLIED ARMIES IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-04-05
General Charles Keightley, the CO of the British 78th Infantry Division and General Władysław Anders discussing positions on a map outside General Keightley's dugout. They are accompanied by Lieutenant Eugeniusz Lubomirski, General Anders' adjutant (far...
ALLIED ARMIES IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-04-05
General Charles Keightley, the CO of the British 78th Infantry Division and General Władysław Anders viewing the battle area (Monte Cassino) from the divisional observation post. They are accompanied by Lieutenant Eugeniusz Lubomirski, General Anders'...
ALLIED ARMIES IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-04-05
General Władysław Anders returning from the 78th Infantry Division observation post. He is walking in a trench, dug to prevent being seen on the skyline. Photograph taken during General Anders' visit to the 78th Division at Cervaro (near Cassino).
ALLIED ARMIES IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-04-05
Portrait of smiling General Władysław Anders, the CO of the 2nd Polish Corps. Photograph taken during General's visit to the British 78th Infantry Division at Cervaro (near Cassino).
ALLIED ARMIES IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-04-05
General Charles Keightley, the CO of the British 78th Infantry Division and General Władysław Anders discussing positions on a map outside General Keightley's dugout. They are accompanied by Brigadier Thrith (far left) and Lieutenant Eugeniusz Lubomirski...
ALLIED ARMIES IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-04-05
General Władysław Anders, the CO of the 2nd Polish Corps (second from the right) introducing his adjutant, Lieutenant Eugeniusz Lubomirski to General Charles Keightley, the CO of the British 78th Infantry Division (second from the left), at the...
ALLIED ARMIES IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-04-05
General Władysław Anders, the CO of the 2nd Polish Corps, and Brigadier Thrith (second from the left) entering a trench leading to the British 78th Infantry Division HQ at Cervaro (near Cassino) during General's visit to the 78th Division. They are...
ALLIED ARMIES IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-04-05
General Władysław Anders, the CO of the 2nd Polish Corps, being led by Brigadier Thrith (second from the right) towards the British 78th Infantry Division HQ at Cervaro (near Cassino) during his visit to the 78th Division. They are accompanied by...
ALLIED ARMIES IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-04-05
General Charles Keightley, the CO of the British 78th Infantry Division and General Władysław Anders discussing positions on a map outside General Keightley's dugout. They are accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel D. E. P. Hodgson (left), Brigadier Thrith (...
ALLIED ARMIES IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-04-05
General Charles Keightley, the CO of the British 78th Infantry Division and General Władysław Anders discussing positions on a map outside General Keightley's dugout. They are accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel D. E. P. Hodgson (left), Brigadier Thrith (...