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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Cox, James Douglas (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1999-03-23
British guardsman served on public duties in GB, 1939-1942; served with 3rd Bn Coldstream Guards in North Africa and Italy, 1943; POW in Germany, 1943-1945
Foreman, Arthur Walter Frederick (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1999-12-18
British private served with 1st Airlanding Bde, 1st Airborne Div in GB, North Africa and Italy, 1943
Eastty, Charles Edward 'Tiffy (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2002
British craftsman with Royal Army Ordnance Corps in GB, 1942; craftsman and NCO served with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in GB, India and Malaya, 1942-1947
Frost, John (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2001-11
British clerk served with 11th Ordnance Field Park, 11th Armoured Div in GB and North West Europe, 1942-1945
Fine, Harold (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2001-02
British radar operator served aboard HMS Calder in North Atlantic, Mediterranean and Western Approaches, 1943-1945
Harris, Walter 'Wally (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2000
British NCO served with Light Aid Detachment, Royal Army Ordnance Corps attached to 168 Bde in GB, 1939-1941; served with LAD, RAOC/Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers attached to 90th Field Regt, Royal Artillery in GB, Iraq, Egypt and Sicily in GB...
Poole, Stan (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2001-08
British civilian messenger with Auxiliary Fire Service and served with Home Guard in London, 1940-1942; served with Royal Army Ordnance Corps in North West Europe, 1944; served with 1/5th Bn, Royal West Surrey Regt in North West Europe, 1945
Corroyer, Charles (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2004-03-04
British clerk served with Headquarters 3 Corps in GB and Middle East, 1940-1942; NCO served with Ordnance Field Park and 5 Base Ordnance Depot in Middle East, 1943-1944; served with Headquarters 3 Corps in Greece, 1944-1945
Parker, Albert (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1995
British signaller served with A Troop, 425 Bty, 107th Regt, Royal Artillery in GB, Palestine and North Africa, 1938-1942; POW in Italy and Germany, 1942-1945
Harnett, John (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2002-10-29
British recruit trained with Durham Light Infantry Depot in GB, 1939-1940; private served with 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry in France and Belgium, 1940; private served with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB and North Africa, 1940-1941; private served...