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 CAMPAIGN IN NORTH AFRICA 1940-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Keating G (Capt)
The Italian Offensive 1940 - 1941: Italian prisoners captured at Sidi Barrani are marched into captivity.
THE CAMPAIGN IN NORTH AFRICA 1940-1943: PERSONALITIES
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Keating G (Capt)
General A Berganzoli, Commander of the Italian X Army which was defeated by the British in 1941. Photographed after his capture.
Generale Buttafuoco
(art) Made by: Freeth, Hubert Andrew (RA) 1942
image: A head and shoulder portrait of General Buttafuoco in uniform, facing slightly away from the viewer.
Italian POW, Tobruk, 1943
(art) Made by: Preis, Eli 1943
No description available
Italian POW, Tobruk, 1943
(art) Made by: Preis, Eli 1943
No description available
Italian POWs at Carpenter's Shop, Tobruk, 1944
(art) Made by: Preis, Eli 1944
No description available
THE CAMPAIGN IN NORTH AFRICA 1940-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit
The Italian Offensive 1940 - 1941: Italian prisoners load up lorries with stores which have been captured from them and are being diverted for British use.
THE CAMPAIGN IN NORTH AFRICA 1940-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit
The Italian Offensive 1940 - 1941: British troops, sitting on captured Italian motorcycles, read copies of the congratulatory telegram sent to all units after their victory by the Secretary of State for War, Mr Anthony Eden.
THE CAMPAIGN IN NORTH AFRICA 1940-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit
El Alamein 1942: Some of the first prisoners to be brought in from the battle. They include Germans of the 90th Light Division and Italians captured by Australians and the Highland Division respectively.
THE CAMPAIGN IN NORTH AFRICA 1940-1943: PERSONALITIES
part of "SELINGER FRANZ" (photographs)
Major General R N O'Connor, architect of the early Italian defeat, and other British generals wait to be transported to Germany by Junkers Ju 52 aircraft after having been captured by the Germans at Derna.