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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War Weapons Week in a Country Town
(art) Made by: Ford, Michael 1941
image: A street scene in a small town. A brass band, Girl Guides, Police and Home Guard participate in War Weapons Week outside a community hall and are watched by a crowd of civilians. Union flags are on display and a speech is being made from a...
SPRINGFIELD IN WARTIME: EVERYDAY LIFE IN AN ESSEX VILLAGE, AUGUST 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Men of the Springfield Home Guard in Essex stand at ease during a parade drill outside All Saints Church. They all have rifles with bayonets fixed.
An Evening Parade of the L.D.V. (Local Defence Volunteers) in their Early Days
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1940
image: A group of men lined-up on parade on a village street, watched by some women and children. Across the street, a man looks on, standing astride a bicycle.
A Day with the Home Guard: the battle rages for the Bank of England
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1941
image: seen from the junction of Cornhill and Lothbury Street, a close engagement is in progress, with smoke in the background. Amid fierce action, confused civilians are still emerging from the Tube. To the right another remonstrates with a soldier who...
The Siren : The Home Guard at the power station
(art) Made by: Casson, Bernard
image: smoke is pouring from the power station chimneys, illuminated in the night sky by searchlights. On the ground below, in the shadow of the power station building, the Home Guards are emerging from a hut. In the foreground one guard, dressed in an...