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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Farmer, Patricia Mary (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1994-06
British civilian worked for Naval Dept of MI5 at Wormwood Scrubs and Blenheim Palace, GB, 1939-1940; secretary served with Women's Royal Naval Service at Government Code and Cipher School at Bletchley Park and with 707 Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm at RAF Duxford...
Ellison, Violet Helen Grace 'Vi (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2002-02-09
British wren and petty officer served with Women's Royal Naval Service in GB and Egypt, 1940-1946
Henderson, Elizabeth (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987-11-17
British civilian pilot served with Air Transport Auxiliary at Hatfield, Cosford and Luton ferry pools in GB, 1941-1945
WOMEN ON THE HOME FRONT 1939 - 1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Posters recruiting women into the war effort: Join the WRENS and free a man to join the fleet.
WRENS PREPARE FOR CIVILIAN LIFE
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Alongside the various educational and vocational courses on offer to service personnel, more informal discussion groups are held. Here an education officer discusses career options with a group of WRENs.
WRENS PREPARE FOR CIVILIAN LIFE
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Two WRENs study information leaflets in the Information Room of a naval establishment.
WRENS PREPARE FOR CIVILIAN LIFE
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Two WRENs study plans for post-war housing in the Information Room of a naval establishment.
DEMOBILIZATION OF BRITAIN'S ARMED FORCES: WRENS PREPARE FOR CIVILIAN LIFE
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Alongside the various educational and vocational courses on offer to service personnel, a number of classes in the arts were also available. Here WRENs build and paint the set for a show at the 'Three Arts Club' of a southern naval port.
WRENS PREPARE FOR CIVILIAN LIFE
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Alongside the various educational and vocational courses on offer to service personnel, a number of classes in the arts were also available. Here a trio of WREN musicians practices in front of an audience at the 'Three Arts Club' of a southern naval port.
WRENS PREPARE FOR CIVILIAN LIFE
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Alongside the various educational and vocational courses on offer to service personnel, a number of classes in the arts were also available. Here two WRENs assist a naval rating, a former Fleet Street journalist, in preparing a wall magazine for a naval...