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 HOME GUARD 1939-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
The Home Guard: Home Guards erecting a road barrier during an exercise held in the north of Scotland.
THE HOME GUARD 1939-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
The Home Guard: After swimming a river in full kit during an exercise in Yorkshire, a helping hand is extended to a member of Number 2 Platoon 'B' Company of the 4th Battalion, East Riding Home Guard.
THE HOME GUARD 1939-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
The Home Guard: Men of 2nd Platoon 'C' Company, 46th Riding, Doncaster, Battalion Home Guard carrying out an exercise in the Northern Command. They are pictured crossing a river by means of a raft.
THE HOME GUARD 1939-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
The Home Guard: A medical exercise held in North Wales used a company of Home Guards to act as stretcher bearers, lowering the wounded down a cliff face and, with the aid of improvised rafts, bringing them across a river. Photograph shows the latter...
THE HOME GUARD 1939-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
The Home Guard: A Home Guard quarry platoon in action at Whitehaven in Cumberland. Photograph shows the platoon's toggle team positioned at the top of a quarry-face in order to pull up the rest of the men as a way of consolidating their position during...
THE HOME GUARD 1939-45
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Members of 2nd Platoon, 'C' Company of the Doncaster Home Guard swim across a river during an assault exercise, 20 July 1942. Two of them are wearing camouflage net veils over their faces.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Daimler armoured car and infantry advance through a smokescreen during a large-scale exercise in Salisbury involving regular troops, the Home Guard and civil defence workers, 26-27 September 1942.
THE HOME GUARD 1939-45
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Home Guard troops 'fighting' Valentine tanks of 6th Armoured Division during large-scale manoeuvres at Yelden in Bedfordshire, 27 July 1941.