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

Woman Carrying a Pot, Mombasa, December 1941
(art) Made by: Searle, Ronald William Fordham 1941-12-01
image: A sketch of a robed woman carrying a large pot on her head.
Mother and Child with a Cat, Mombasa, December 1941
(art) Made by: Searle, Ronald William Fordham 1941-12-01
image: A portrait sketch of a young woman holding a small boy, one hand on his shoulder, the other holding his right hand. She wears robes and a head veil; he wears a short shift. A cat drinks from a bowl to the lower right of the composition. There is...
Portrait of a Man, Mombasa, December 1941
(art) Made by: Searle, Ronald William Fordham 1941-12-01
image: A portrait sketch of a bearded man wearing a cap, sitting on the floor, his left hand raised. Two bowls lie on the floor to his right, suggesting that he may be a beggar.
Mother and Child, Mombasa, December 1941
(art) Made by: Searle, Ronald William Fordham 1941-12-01
image: A sketch of a woman sitting on the ground, holding the shoulders of a small boy wearing a short shift and a fez. There is a line drawing of a head superimposed on the figure to the left.
Street Scene with Fruit Seller Mombasa, December 1941
(art) Made by: Searle, Ronald William Fordham 1941-12-01
image: A street scene in Mombasa. The fruit seller in drawing IWM ART 15746 79 appears in the left hand side of the composition, his head resting on his hand. He sits in front of a house which has an ornate balcony of carved wood, shutters, a large...
Portrait of a Man in Turban and Robes, Mombasa, December 1941
(art) Made by: Searle, Ronald William Fordham 1941-12-01
image: A full length portrait sketch of an African man with a curly beard, who is wearing long robes and a large turban.
Street Merchant, Mombasa, December 1941
(art) Made by: Searle, Ronald William Fordham 1941-12-01
image: A sketch of a spice seller, wearing a turban and loin cloth, with bowls of spice and miniature scales.
Street Merchant, Mombasa, December 1941
(art) Made by: Searle, Ronald William Fordham 1941-12-01
image: One figure stands holding the edge of a length of cloth in his left hand. He is wearing a large turban, a singlet and a sarong. Another figure, wearing a fez, leans forward behind the main figure.
Indian Woman, Mombasa, December 1941
(art) Made by: Searle, Ronald William Fordham 1941-12-01
image: A portrait sketch of an Indian woman in a sari, wearing nose stud and bindi on her brow.
Indian Woman, Mombasa, December 1941
(art) Made by: Searle, Ronald William Fordham 1941-12-01
image: A portrait sketch of an Indian woman wearing a sari and earrings, a bindi on her brow.