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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Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1978
British official war artist with British Army in GB, North Africa, Italy and France, 1939-1945
Stringer, Tom (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2009-01
British NCO served with 1/4th Bn, Essex Regt in Egypt, North Africa, Syria and Italy, 1942-1944; POW in Italy and Austria, 1944-1945
Collins, Peter John (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2005
British signaller served aboard HMS Sunflower on Atlantic convoys, 1942-1943; served aboard HMS Mendip on East Coast convoys and in Mediterranean, 1943; served with Royal Navy Headquarters in Algeria, 1943; served with Allied Headquarters in Italy, 1943-...
recording
(sound) Made by: Grafton, Peter (Production company) 1981
British serviceman from 1940, served as a driver, based in North Africa. Political awareness pre war. Wife Alice also speaks
recording
(sound) Made by: Barker, Captain (interviewee/speaker) 1941-03-12
British officer served with 7th Royal Tank Regt account of operating Matillda tanks in Libya, 1941
recording
(sound) Made by: Young, Desmond (interviewee/speaker) 1941-11-29
British correspondent's account of capture of Sidi Omar, Libya, 29/11/1941
recording
(sound) Made by: BBC 9266 (Production company) 1941-10-18
BBC radio broadcast by British Chief of the General Staff to Tobruk garrison, Libya 18/10/1941
recording
(sound) Made by: Green (Trooper) (interviewee/speaker) 1942-07-29
British soldier recalls retreat from 'Knightsbridge', Libya 6/1942
recording
(sound) Made by: Roach, Peter (Production company) 1948
British soldier served with Tank Corps in North Africa
recording
(sound) Made by: Hastings, Lewis (interviewee/speaker) 1942-11-12
BBC radio broadcast by British officer on North African campaign, 1942, including comments on tactics of Wavell, Rommel and Montgomery