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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Hammerton, Ian Charles (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1985-08-01
British officer served with 22nd Dragoons, 79th Armoured Div in GB and North West Europe, 1943-1945
Hunter, John (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1999
British trooper served with 1st and 2nd Fife and Forfar Yeomanry in GB and North West Europe, 1943-1946
Collins, Eric (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1999-03-10
British private served with 1st Bn East Lancashire Regt in GB and North West Europe, 1940-1945
Nield-Siddall, Warwick (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1999-09-22
British marine served with Royal Marines in Malta, 1941-1943; served with 41 Commando, Royal Marines in GB and North West Europe, 1943-1944
Inskip, Joseph Huntington (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2000-11-20
British guardsman served with 4th Bn Coldstream Guards in GB and North West Europe, 1940-1945
Keeble, Henry George (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2000-03-25
British cook served with 2nd Light Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps in GB and France, 1939-1944; served with 20th Field Dressing Station in North West Europe, 1944-1945
Schwarz, Leonard Anthony (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2001-02-03
British aircraftman served with 1st Beach Squadron, RAF in Normandy, 6/1944-8/1944
Callaway, Jack (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2001-01-10
British private served with 1st Bn Hampshire Regt in India, Palestine, Malta and North West Europe, 1933-1945
Woods, Jack Sidney (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2000-03-28
British trooper served with 9th Royal Tank Regt in GB and North West Europe, 1942-1945
Scotson, Geoffrey (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2001-01-11
British private served with 6 Commando in North West Europe, 1944-1945