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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ALLIED FORCES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1941-03-08
King George VI and General Władysław Sikorski, Prime Minister of the Polish Government-in-Exile, inspecting a guard of honour of the 1st Polish Corps at Glamis, Scotland.
WINSTON CHURCHILL AS PRIME MINISTER 1940-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1941-02-14
The Prime Minister witnessed a tank demonstration in which he was shown the capabilities of various armoured fighting vehicles over rough country near Frensham, Surrey. With him were General Władysław Sikorski, the Prime Minister of the Polish Government...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-47
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1942-04-20
Clement Attlee visiting troops of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade at Cupar. Note their headwear - paratrooper's training helmets also known as 'bungee helmets'. As Deputy Prime Minister Attlee was responsible for domestic co-ordination,...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1944-03-13
General Montgomery's staff car moving off through cheering crowds from outside of the Polish Officers Mess in Lanark during his tour of D-Day invasion forces in Britain. All senior Polish Army officers are standing on frontal stairs of the building in...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1944-03-13
General Bernard Montgomery shaking hands with a Captain of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade in Lanark during his tour of D-Day invasion forces in Britain. He is accompanied by senior Polish Army officers: Colonel Stanisław Sosabowski, the CO...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1944-03-13
General Bernard Montgomery inspecting colours of one of the 1st Polish Armoured Division regiments in Lanark during his tour of D-Day invasion forces in Britain. He is accompanied by General Stanisław Maczek, the CO of the Division.
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1944-03-13
General view of General Bernard Montgomery addressing troops of the 1st Polish Armoured Division and the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade in Lanark during his tour of D-Day invasion forces in Britain. Troops assembly around Montgomery forming a...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1944-03-13
General Bernard Montgomery acknowledging cheers of crowds outside of Polish Officers Mess in Lanark during his tour of D-Day invasion forces in Britain. He is followed by senior Polish Army officers: General Józef Zając, the Inspector of Training of the...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1944-03-13
General Bernard Montgomery inspecting troops of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade in Lanark during his tour of D-Day invasion forces in Britain. He is accompanied by senior Polish Army officers: Colonel Stanisław Sosabowski, the CO of the...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1944-03-13
General Bernard Montgomery inspecting troops of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade in Lanark during his tour of D-Day invasion forces in Britain. He is accompanied by senior Polish Army officers: General Gustaw Paszkiewicz, the Deputy CO of the...