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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Kerevan, Benjamin (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987-03-02
British NCO served with Border Regt and 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry in Scotland 1941-1943. Served as wireless operator with SOE in Egypt, with Military Mission in Peloponnese area, Greece 1943-1944 and with IS9 in Italy, 1945
Harrison, Frank Gordon (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987-09-17
British NCO served with Yeomanry Patrol, Long Range Desert Group in North Africa, 1941-1943; served with N Patrol, Long Range Desert Group in Italy, 1944
Frend, William Hugh Clifford (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1985
British officer served with Political Warfare Executive in GB, North Africa and Italy, 1942-1945
Leech, Kenneth Percy (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1986-12-08
British officer served as staff officer with Headquarters, 4th Indian Division in Italy, 1944; served with 149 Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery in Greece, 1944-1945
Beevor, John Grosvenor (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1986-11-10
British civilian child in Scarborough, GB during German naval bombardment, 1914; officer served with H Section, Special Operations Executive in Portugal, 1941-1942; served as assistant to Sir Charles Hambro at Headquarters, Special Operations Executive...
Richardson, Dennis (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987-06-04
British private served with 5th Bn Parachute Regiment in GB, Italy, France, Greece and Palestine, 1943-1947
Foster, Francis Harold (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987-03-26
British officer commanded Royal Engineers, 1st Division in North Africa, Italy and Palestine, 1942-1947
Garrett, Henry Arnold George (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2000-08-26
British gunner served with 52nd Anti-Tank Regt, Royal Artillery in Belgium and France, 1939-1940; NCO served with 61st Anti-Tank Regt, Royal Artillery in North Africa and Italy, 1942-1943
Erselius, Thomas Charles Frederick (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2000-08-28
British private served with 7th Army Field Workshop, Royal Army Ordnance Corps in France, 1940; served with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in Italy, 1943-1945
Milczarek, Hilary 'Alec' (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2000-03-02
Polish civilian deported to Russia, 1940-1942; served with Polish Army in Uzbekistan and Persia, 1942