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

Beretta M1934
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Pietro Beretta SpA, Gardone Valtrompia, Italy 1937
The Beretta M1934 was the most successful of a series of pistols produced by Beretta for the Italian Army. It was designed by Beretta's chief designer, Tullio Marengoni, in response to a military decision to replace all existing service pistols with a...
Beretta M1934
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Pietro Beretta SpA, Gardone Valtrompia, Italy 1940
The Beretta M1934 was the most successful of a series of pistol produced by Beretta for the Italian Army. It was designed by Beretta's chief designer, Tullio Marengoni, in response to a military decision to replace all existing service pistols with a...
Beretta M.1938A submachine-gun [2nd issue] (IWM)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Pietro Beretta SpA, Gardone Valtrompia, Italy
The Beretta Model 1938A was the standard Italian submachine-gun of the Second World War. Designed by Tullio Marengoni, it was a sophisticated weapon made to high standards of production. It featured two triggers - one for single shot fire, and one for...
Beretta M1934
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Pietro Beretta SpA, Gardone Valtrompia, Italy 1938
pistol & magazine (7)
Beretta M1934
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Pietro Beretta SpA, Gardone Valtrompia, Italy 1938
pistol & 2 magazines (7)
Beretta M.1938A [3rd issue] (IWM)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Pietro Beretta SpA, Gardone Valtrompia, Italy 1942
Crowned RE is army mark.
Beretta M.1938A [3rd issue] (IWM)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Pietro Beretta SpA, Gardone Valtrompia, Italy 1942
Crowned RE is army mark.
Beretta M.1938A [3rd issue] (IWM)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Pietro Beretta SpA, Gardone Valtrompia, Italy 1943
Crowned RE is army mark.
Beretta M1934
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Pietro Beretta SpA, Gardone Valtrompia, Italy 1936
pistol & magazine (7) brown finish to barrel and slide, faulty action, damaged magazine, woven toggle attached to lanyard ring
Beretta M1934
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Pietro Beretta SpA, Gardone Valtrompia, Italy 1938
The Beretta M1934 was the most successful of a series of pistol produced by Beretta for the Italian Army. It was designed by Beretta's chief designer, Tullio Marengoni, in response to a military decision to replace all existing service pistols with a...