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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Recruit's Progress: Medical Inspection
(art) Made by: Weight, Carel Victor Morlais (CBE, RA) 1942
image: New recruits are lined up for inspection; all are stripped to the waist. The inspector sits at a table, head leaning on an elbow, while a recruit faces him, arms in the air and trousers round his ankles. Foreground right, a recruit, full...
Britons. Join Your Country's Army!
(posters) Made by: Leete, Alfred (artist) 1914
whole: the image occupies the centre, with the title separate and positioned across the top edge, in red. The text is separate and positioned in the lower quarter, also in red. Further text is integrated and positioned lower right, in black. All set...
Join the Modern Army
(posters) Made by: British Army (publisher/sponsor) 1937-12
whole: the image is positioned in the lower right, with the title separate and placed in the upper two-thirds, in purple. The text is separate and located in the lower left, also in purple. All set against a white background, and held within a red border...
YOUR KING AND COUNTRY NEED YOU (abbrv)
(posters)
design: Royal Arms of George V, upper edge above text text: "YOUR KING AND COUNTRY NEED YOU" & "A CALL TO ARMS" & "An addition of 100,000 men to His Majesty's Regular Army is immediately necessary in the present grave National Emergency. LORD...
Join the Regular Army
(posters) Made by: British Army (publisher/sponsor) 1919-06
whole: the image occupies the majority. The title is separate and positioned in the upper quarter, in yellow, set against a black background. The text is integrated and positioned in the centre right and lower left, also in yellow. All held within black...
See the World
(posters) Made by: British Army (publisher/sponsor) 1919
whole: the image occupies the whole, with the title integrated and positioned across the top edge, in white outlined black. The text is integrated and positioned across the bottom edge, in red. All held within a green and blue border. image: two British...
How to Join the Army
(posters) Made by: British Army (publisher/sponsor) 1927
whole: the image is positioned in the left half. The title is separate and positioned in the upper quarter, in red outlined black. The text is separate and positioned in the lower three-quarters, in red and in black. All set against a white background...
Comparisons - In Civil Life - In His Majesty's Forces
(posters) Made by: British Army (publisher/sponsor) 1919-06
whole: fourteen separate images are positioned down the left edge and the right edge. The title is separate and positioned in the upper quarter, in black and in red. The text is separate and positioned down the centre, also in black and in red. All set...
There's a Future in it, Chum
(posters) Made by: British Army (publisher/sponsor)
whole: the image is positioned in the centre right. The title is separate and placed in the upper quarter, in red. The text is partially integrated and located down the left half, in white, and separate and positioned in the lower quarter, in black and...
Fitting Recruits with Clothing
(art) Made by: Gross, Anthony (CBE) (RA) 1940
image: Recruits sit in a line in a windowed room waiting to be given their uniform. Two men distribute items of clothing to them. Outside, through the window, troops can be seen parading.