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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Cliffe, Henry Thomas (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1985-08-20
British seaman served aboard HMS Campbell during Norwegian campaign, 1940; served aboard HMS Chitral in Arctic, 1942
Barry, Richard Hugh (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1986-09-29
British officer served as head of Air Operations Section (MO), Special Operations Executive in GB, 1941-1942; served as Chief of Staff, Special Operations Executive in GB, 1943-1944.
Blanshard, Carlotta (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1985-11-29
British NCO served with 1st Glasgow Auxiliary Territorial Service in GB, 1938-1945
Bradley, Leslie Cecil (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987-05-28
British boy seaman at HMS Ganges, 1937-1938; signaller served aboard HMS Ajax in Atlantic, 1938-1939
Quibell, Jack William Robert (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987-03-10
British signalman served with Middlesex Yeomanry in North Africa, 1940-1943
Deacon, George William (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1986-06-23
British boy seaman and seaman served aboard HMS Ajax in Atlantic and Mediterranean, 1938-1942
Helyer, Richard William John (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1986-09-04
British auxiliary served aboard Fireboat Massey Shaw with London Fire Brigade in England 1938-1940. Took part in evacuation of Dunkirk 5/1940
Shale, Samuel (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1986-09-22
British marine served aboard HMS Ajax in Atlantic and Mediterranean, 1939-1941
Gill, Arthur Murland (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1985-03-04
British officer served as pilot with 84 Sqdn in Sumatra, 1/1942 and in India and Burma, 3/1942-11/1944
Champion Jones, Montagu (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987
British officer served with Royal Engineers in GB and India, 1922-1937; served with Railway Establishment Movement Control Royal Engineers and at GHQ British Expeditionary Force in France, 1939-1940; captured at Abbeville, France, 1940 and POW in Ilag...