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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SOLDIERS WORKING ON THE LAND: HELPING WITH THE HARVEST, UK, JULY 1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Soldiers of various regiments of the British Army work to help bring in the harvest, somewhere in Britain. Here a group of men can be seen weeding in a large field in the sunshine. Behind them can be seen the rolling fields of the surrounding...
GLIDER-BORNE PARATROOPERS EXERCISE, 22 APRIL 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Malindine E G (Capt)
British paratroopers sitting in the fuselage of an aircraft while awaiting their order to jump.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN TRAINING IN BRITAIN, 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Private A Campin with fixed bayonet, practises assault.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN TRAINING IN BRITAIN, 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Private T Henderson with fixed bayonet, practises assault.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN TRAINING IN BRITAIN, 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Private T Henderson with fixed bayonet, practises assault.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN TRAINING IN BRITAIN, 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Private T Henderson with fixed bayonet, practises assault.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN TRAINING IN BRITAIN, 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Private J Burroughs enjoys a cigarette.
THE SECOND WORLD WAR: PERSONALITIES
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Portrait of Lieutenant General Sir Harold E Franklyn KCB DSO MC, Commander in Chief Home Forces, sitting at a desk.
THE SECOND WORLD WAR : PERSONALITIES
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Major General S W Kirby CIE OBE MC, Director of Civil Affairs.
THE SECOND WORLD WAR : PERSONALITIES
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Major General S W Kirby CIE OBE MC, Director of Civil Affairs.