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 POLISH ARMY IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1945-04-24
General Władysław Anders, the CO of the 2nd Corps, having a last word with Field Marshal Harold Alexander, the Commander of the Allied Armies in Italy, before the latter moves off by a car. Photograph taken at the 2nd Corps HQ near Bologna during Field...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1945-04-24
General Zygmunt Bohusz-Szyszko, the Deputy CO of the 2nd Polish Corps, Field Marshal Harold Alexander, the Commander of the Allied Armies in Italy, and General Władysław Anders, the CO of the 2nd Corps, inspecting Polish troops drawn up on parade....
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-05-24
General Władysław Anders, the CO of the 2nd Polish Corps, saluting Polish Guard of Honour at his arrival at Cervaro. Photograph taken before General Harold Alexander decorated General Anders with the Companion of Order of the Bath for Polish services at...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-05-24
General Władysław Anders, the CO of the 2nd Polish Corps, at the Corps HQs at Cervaro. Photograph taken before General Harold Alexander decorated General Anders with the Companion of Order of the Bath for Polish services at Cassino.
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-05-24
General Harold Alexander, the Commander of the Allied Armies in Italy, stepping back after decoration of General Władysław Anders, the CO of the Corps with the Companion of the Order of the Bath for Polish services at Cassino. Lieutenant Eugeniusz...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-05-24
General Harold Alexander, the Commander of the Allied Armies in Italy, and General Władysław Anders, the CO of the Corps, saluting each other after awarding the Companion of the Order of the Bath to General Anders for Polish services at Cassino....
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-05-24
General Harold Alexander, the Commander of the Allied Armies in Italy, inspecting high ranking officers of the 2nd Polish Corps. He is followed by General Władysław Anders, the CO of the Corps. From left to right saluting: Brigadier E. H. C. Frith,...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-05-24
General Harold Alexander, the Commander of the Allied Armies in Italy, decorating General Władysław Anders, the CO of the Corps with the Companion of the Order of the Bath for Polish services at Cassino. Lieutenant Eugeniusz Lubomirski, General Anders'...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-05-24
General Władysław Anders, the CO of the 2nd Polish Corps, and General Harold Alexander, the Commander of the Allied Armies in Italy, in conversation at Cervaro. Lieutenant Eugeniusz Lubomirski, General Anders' adjutant, is standing behind General...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1944-05-24
General Władysław Anders, the CO of the 2nd Polish Corps, and General Harold Alexander, the Commander of the Allied Armies in Italy, in conversation at Cervaro. Lieutenant Eugeniusz Lubomirski, General Anders' adjutant, is second from the right....