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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On the Road South to Taormina with some Italian Prisoners in the Foreground
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1943
image: A stream of military trucks carrying prisoners wind their way down a hill, through an Italian village.
THE ROYAL NAVY DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Navy official photographer
Italian prisoners of war waiting to be taken from Sicily at dawn of the opening day of the invasion. In the foreground a British soldier is having a slight wound dressed.
SUPPLIES [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: War Office Film Unit (Production company) 1943-07-17
Arrival of supplies in Sicily.
SICILY, ITALIAN PRISONERS [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: War Office Film Unit (Production company) 1943-07-14
Prisoners running to take a boat to captivity.
Flag: Italian
(equipment)
This flag was captured by a Royal Navy signal section, Sicily Landings, 1943.
INVASION OF SICILY [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: War Office Film Unit (Production company) 1943-07-15
Tank division advancing in the Sicilian campaign.
INVASION OF SICILY [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: War Office Film Unit (Production company) 1943-07-14
Scenes from the Sicilian front.
SICILY, MISCELLANEOUS [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: War Office Film Unit (Production company) 1943-07-13
The 15th Infantry Brigade In Melilli, Sicily.
THE LANDING OF THE 231st BRIGADE AT MARZAMEMI [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: War Office Film Unit (Production company) 1943-07-09
Troops landing in Sicily and Italian prisoners.
ADVANCE OF 5TH EAST YORKS AND CAPTURE OF TOWNS; THE 50TH DIVISION ENTER FLORIDIA [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: War Office Film Unit (Production company) 1943-07-12
The 69th Infantry Brigade enter Floridia.