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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HALL, CHARLES (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1986-03-03
British private served with Welch Regt in GB, 1940-1941; NCO served with Royal Corps of Signals in India and Burma, 1941-1945
Danher, Doris (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1986
British civilian served with Women's Land Army Timber Corps in GB, 1940-1944
Misseldine, John Ernest (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987-06-29
British aircraftsman trained as pilot with RAF in GB and US, 1940-1942; NCO served as pilot with 611 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1942; evaded capture in France, 1942
Whiteman, Mary Walker (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987-02-15
British civilian billeting officer and host for evacuees in Saffron Walden, 1939-1945
Eddington, Paul Clark (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1986-06-06
British civilian conscientious objector and actor with ENSA in GB, 1939-1945
Du Cros, Rosemary Teresa (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1986
British civilian served as pilot with Air Transport Auxiliary at Hatfield and Hamble ferry pools in GB, 1940-1946
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
Chalmers, Walter (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1999
British officer served with 1st Bn Liverpool Scottish in GB, 1942; served with 7th Bn Northern Rhodesian Regt in Kenya and Northern Rhodesia, 1943; served with 13th Bn King's African Rifles in Ceylon, 1943; served with 1st Bn Northern Rhodesian Regt in...
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
Lester, George Leslie (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2000-02-15
British boy seaman trained at HMS St George, GB, 1940-1942; boy telegraphist served aboard HMS Nelson in Mediterranean, 1942-1943; telegraphist served aboard HMS Kingsmill during Normandy landings, 6/1944-8/1944; served aboard HMS Franconia in Black Sea...