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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Collections search

Improvised 3in Mortar
(weapons and ammunition)
Improvised Home Guard 3in Mortar
Projectile 29mm Spigot Blacker Drill
(weapons and ammunition)
bomb Sand filled drill round for Blacker Bombard 29mm Spigot Mortar
dummy rifle, British
(weapons and ammunition)
This dummy rifle saw service as a training-aid during both World Wars. In configuration it resembles a pre-First World War Mark 1 or Mark 2 Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield rifle and bears the mark of a unit of the Volunteer Training Corps - the First World...
Tripod (for Projector, 2 1/2in MkII (Northover Projector))
(weapons and ammunition)
Tripod for: The Projector, 2.5 inch, commonly known as the Northover Projector, was an ad hoc anti-tank weapon used by the British Army and Home Guard during the Second World War. With a German invasion of Great Britain seeming likely after the defeat in...
Projector, 2 1/2in MkII (Northover Projector)
(weapons and ammunition)
The Projector, 2.5 inch, commonly known as the Northover Projector, was an ad hoc anti-tank weapon used by the British Army and Home Guard during the Second World War. With a German invasion of Great Britain seeming likely after the defeat in the Battle...
Winchester M1894 .32 WS
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Winchester
5,000 Winchester 94 rifles were purchased in 1914 for the Admiralty, and at least one Navally-marked example is known. 2,700 were subsequently offered in disposals lists. In 1917 the US Army acquired c. 1,800 Model 1894 rifles for use in guarding...
handstamp, Home Guard
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Duplicate entry of EPH 13
Home Guard 2.75in 4-legged mortar
(weapons and ammunition)
mortar
Improvised experimental pneumatically-powered Spigot Mortar
(weapons and ammunition)
Developed in the early days of the Home Guard by Walter Kidde Co Ltd. Note "KIDDE" stamped on cylinder.
Improvised experimental CO-2 powered Spigot Mortar
(weapons and ammunition)
Developed in the early days of the Home Guard by Walter Kidde Co Ltd. With wooden spigot and metal cap