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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The Wounded At Dover, 1918
(art) Made by: Lavery, John (Sir) (RA) (RSA) 1918
image: A scene of the platform at Dover railway station. Wounded soldiers are boarding a hospital train. A group of wounded stand in the foreground, to the right lie others on stretchers, one tended by a nurse. There are khaki clad figures along the...
ROYAL AIR FORCE SCENES - @ [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Royal Air Force (Production sponsor) 1941
I. Minister for Aircraft Production Moore-Brabazon speaks from podium to RAF personnel and civilian workers in hangar. Audience includes at least one US member of Air Transport Auxiliary. (98 ft)
Relaxation in the Front Line
(art) Made by: Gross, Anthony (CBE) (RA) 1941
image: a group of British soldiers relax by fishing from the harbour wall at Dover, a small lighthouse immediately behind them. In the foreground, one man bends down to unhook a large fish he has just caught, the fish lying amongst an assortment of large...
Harbour Defences
(art) Made by: Gross, Anthony (CBE) (RA) 1941
image: a harbour with two lighthouses positioned on the ends of the two walls that mark the entrance. A coastal defence gun protrudes from the right and soldiers stand at their outpost, another large gun positioned before the foremost lighthouse. The...
Constructing a Gun Emplacement
(art) Made by: Gross, Anthony (CBE) (RA) 1941
image: Military personnel construct a circular gun emplacement. The main section is surrounded by fencing, which is heavily supported. In the distance is the sea and the outline of the neighbouring clifftops.
Camouflaged Bren Gun Carriers
(art) Made by: Gross, Anthony (CBE) (RA) 1941
image: Three camouflaged Bren gun carriers parked next to thick foliage. Soldiers stand in between the vehicles.
Men's Underground Quarters
(art) Made by: Gross, Anthony (CBE) (RA) 1941
image: Vaulted tunnels reinforced with corrugated iron. Bunkbeds line the corridors and equipment, uniforms and blankets are scattered around. Some officers are resting in their beds.
Manoeuvres : a Bren Gun outpost
(art) Made by: Gross, Anthony (CBE) (RA) 1941
image: a group of soldiers lie amongst some shrubs, keeping watch with their Bren guns ready.
DEMOBILISATION OF THE BRITISH ARMY
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
British servicemen home for demobilisation leave Dover docks for the railway station.
The Return from Dunkirk: Arrival at Dover
(art) Made by: Bone, Muirhead 1940
image: a view of the disembarkation of troops evacuated from Dunkirk. A collection of ships, including small boats loaded with soldiers, are moored in Dover harbour, which is crowded with soldiers.