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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Lovell, Alfred Charles Bernard (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987-02-18
British civilian scientist working on A1 radar and H2S bombing aid with Air Ministry in GB, 1939-1945
Swales, Marjorie (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987
British civilian worked in munitions factory in GB, 1939-1940. Pilot husband killed; life as war widow
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
Atkins, Vera (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987-01-06
British civilian in Winchelsea, GB, 1939-1941; officer served with F Section, Special Operations Executive at Baker Street, London 1941-1944 and in Paris, France, 1944-1945
Mayson, Eileen (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1986-10-22
British civilian with Women's Land Army Timber Corps in Westmorland and Wales, 1942-1946
Kaye, Solly (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1986-11-04
British civilian in St Pancras and Stepney, London, GB, 1913-1934; member of Communist Party in Hackney, London, GB, 1934-1939; engineer with General Aircraft Company and Fairey Aviation in Hounslow, GB, 1940-1945
Grinham, Eric John (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1985-02-27
British NCO served with SOE as wireless operator with Jedburgh team Stanley into Cher area of France and with Force 136 in Burma 1944-1945
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
Jones, Francis Edgar (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1986-09-11
British civilian scientist worked on radar and development of Oboe with Air Ministry in GB, 1940-1945
Rumbold, Margaret Mary (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1985-05-31
British civilian worked with Women's Land Army in Kent, 1939-1949