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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Graves Morris, Philip Herbert (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1983-02-22
British officer served with 2nd Bn Worcestershire Regt with Army of Occupation in Germany, 1927-1928; served with 2nd Bn Worcestershire Regt in Shanghai and Tientsin and as adjutant to British Embassy Guard in Peking, China, 1933-1936
Chorley, Frederick James (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2004-06-25
British sapper served with Royal Engineers in GB, 1939-1943; NCO served with 80th Assault Sqdn, 79th Armoured Div in GB and North West Europe, 1943-1945
Marler, Sid (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2004-01
British wireless telegraphist served aboard HMS Cubitt in Atlantic, English Channel and North Sea, 1944-1946
Keogh, Brian (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2005-04
British private served with 7th Bn, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in North West Europe, 1944-1945
Fyffe, Alfred Adamson (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2002-03-26
British officer served with Field Security and with Spanish Section, Special Operations Executive in GB, 1940-1941; Head of Special Operations Executive's No 6 Workshop School in GB, 1941-1944; Head of Security for Etat Majeur de Forces Francaises de l'...
Wright, Leonard (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1994-12-19
British sapper served with 255 Field Coy, Royal Engineers in GB, 1940-1942; NCO served with Glider Pilot Regt in GB, North Africa and North West Europe, 1942-1945
Political Violence And Terrorism: The Future
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1983-12-08
Seminar by British and German officers entitled 'Political Violence And Terrorism: The Future' held at Royal United Services Institute, London 8/12/1983
recording
(sound) Made by: Thames Television (Production company) 1972
British officer served as Chief of Intelligence to General Eisenhower and with SHAEF in North Africa, Italy and North West Europe, 1943-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Thames Television (Production company) 1972
British officer commanded 30 Corps in North West Europe, 1944-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: nnn (recorder) 1963
British NCO held as POW in Germany, 1915-1918