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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PONTI, EMILIO (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2000-03-10
Italian NCO served with Italian Army in North Africa, 1940-1941; POW in North Africa and GB, 1941-1945
The Lion of Judah: The Italian Invasion of Ethiopia
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2005-10-15
Lecture entitled 'The Lion of Judah: The Italian Invasion of Ethiopia'; given as part of Black History Month at the Imperial War Museum, London, 15/Oct/2005
La Grande Guerre 1914-1918:Vol. 2
(sound) Made by: Institut des Archives Sonores (Production company)
Compilation of archive recordings and interviews with politicians, soldiers and civilians entitled 'La Grande Guerre 1914-1918: Vol.2'. CD 3 of 3. In French, English, Italian, Russian, Serbian and German with linking commentary in French. Includes music
La Grande Guerre 1914-1918:Vol. 2
(sound) Made by: Institut des Archives Sonores (Production company)
Compilation of archive recordings and interviews with politicians, soldiers and civilians entitled 'La Grande Guerre 1914-1918: Vol.2'. CD 2 of 3. In French, German and Italian with linking commentary in French
recording
(sound) Made by: Deutsches Rundfunkarchiv (Production company) 1918-11-04
Speech by Italian Army general 4/11/1918 [In Italian]
presentation box for the Italian service rifle model 91/38
(souvenirs and ephemera)
The box shows an example of the rifle.
VITTORIO EMANUELE III ARRIVA CON RINFORZI
(posters) Made by: Harry A Waldron, Boston, Mass (publisher/sponsor) 1915
design: battlefield scene, Italian Front 1915. An artist's impression of the Italian attempt to secure the strategic position of Monte San Michele against the Austrians. King Victor Emmanuel III appears at the left of the momentous scene to inspire his...
La Leggenda del Piave
(sound) Made by: Victor (Production company) 1926
Song entitled 'La Leggenda del Piave' commemorating the Battle of the Piave River, Italy, 6/1918. Written by E A Mario. Performed by Giovanni Martinelli. In Italian
recording
(sound) Made by: Trevelyan, Raleigh (Production company) 1980
Italian civilian daughter of Italian General Simone Simoni, executed by Germans in Fosse Ardeatine, Rome, Italy, 24/Mar/1944
La Leggenda del Piave
(sound)
Song entitled 'La Leggenda del Piave' commemorating the Battle of the Piave River, Italy, 6/1918. Written by E A Mario. Performed by the Band of the Italian Army