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 BATTLES OF MONTE CASSINO, JANUARY - MAY 1944
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-05-24
Commander of the Polish 2nd Corps, Lieutenant General Władysław Anders and the Commander of the Allied Armies in Italy, General the Hon Sir Harold Alexander salute, after General Alexander had invested General Anders with the Order of the Bath in...
THE AWARD OF MILITARY CROSS TO THE CITY OF YPRES, BELGIUM
part of "FRENCH JOHN (SIR)" (photographs) 1920-05-19
The Mayor of Ypres acknowledging the award of the Military Cross to the city. Field Marshal Lord John French and King Albert I of Belgium are both present (on the left)
AMERICAN FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL EXCHANGE COLLECTION
part of "AMERICAN FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL EXCHANGE COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: United States Army Signal Corps photographer 1918-12-08
Presentation to Marshal Philippe Petain of the Baton of a Marshal of France, Metz, 8 December 1918. Generals Petain, Joseph Joffre, Ferdinand Foch and Maxime Weygand (France), Douglas Haig (Britain), John Pershing (USA), Cyriaque Gillain (Belgium),...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1941-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-05-18
General Józef Zając, the CO of the Polish Army in the Middle East, shaking hands with General Neil Methuen Ritchie, the CO of the 8th Army, after presenting him with the Virtuti Militari medal. General Claude Auchinleck (the C-in-C of the Middle East...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1941-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-05-18
General Józef Zając, the CO of the Polish Army in the Middle East, presenting General Claude Auchinleck, the C-in-C of the Middle East Command, with the Virtuti Militari medal. General Neil Methuen Ritchie, the CO of the 8th Army, is awaiting his turn to...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1941-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-05-18
General Józef Zając, the CO of the Polish Army in the Middle East, saluting General Claude Auchinleck, the C-in-C of the Middle East Command, after presentig him with the Virtuti Militari medal. General Neil Methuen Ritchie, the CO of the 8th Army, is...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1941-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-05-18
General Józef Zając, the CO of the Polish Army in the Middle East, presenting General Neil Methuen Ritchie, the CO of the 8th Army, with the Virtuti Militari medal. General Claude Auchinleck (the C-in-C of the Middle East Command) who was also decorated...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1941-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-05-18
Troops of the Polish Army in the Middle East marching past the saluting base after decoration ceremony. General Neil Methuen Ritchie, the CO of the 8th Army, and General Claude Auchinleck, the C-in-C of the Middle East Command, were both decorated with...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1941-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-05-18
General Neil Methuen Ritchie, the CO of the 8th Army, General Józef Zając, the CO of the Polish Army in the Middle East, and General Claude Auchinleck, the C-in-C of the Middle East Command, after decoration ceremony. Both British Generals are wearing...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1941-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-05-18
General Claude Auchinleck, the C-in-C of the Middle East Command, General Neil Methuen Ritchie, the CO of the 8th Army, and General Józef Zając, the CO of the Polish Army in the Middle East, proceeding to a saluting base for the march past of the Polish...