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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COMMONWEALTH FORCES IN NORTH AFRICA 1940-43
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Knight (Lt)
Clifford of the 'Daily Mail' and Moorehead of the 'Daily Express' prepare to move off after spending a night in the Desert.
BATTLE OF EGYPT: THE RETREAT OF THE EIGHTH ARMY TO NEW POSITIONS
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Chetwyn (Sgt)
A mobile Bofors and crew moving back during the retreat to take up new positions.
'Let Us Go Forward Together'
(posters) Made by: Keely, Pat (artist) 1943
whole: the image is positioned in the upper three-quarters, with two smaller images located in the lower quarter. The title is partially integrated and placed in the lower quarter, in black. The text is separate and placed along the bottom edge, in brown...
Anglo Dutch
(art) Made by: Tunnard, John 1942
image: An abstract image of technological and maritime forms. There is an area of deep red colour on the left of the composition, and a dark hook shape as seen from the side in the centre. Around this there are other small, abstract details.
Sergeant R G Arding
(art) Made by: Kennington, Eric Henri (RA) 1941
image: a half-length portrait of an airman just back from a raid on enemy shipping. He stands in profile looking out to the right of the composition. He is wearing a white flying suit, with a shirt and tie underneath, and holds a leather helmet in his...
THE GREEK GOVERNMENT IN EXILE DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: British Army official photographer
The Crown Princess Frederika of Greece inspecting the Guard of Honour of the Cape Corps when visiting the South African Base Depot, Middle East Headquarters.
SOUTH CARIBBEAN ARMED FORCES DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR FOREIGN OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs)
A Lewis gun section of the St Lucia Volunteer Force, Windward Islands.
ROYAL AIR FORCE 1939-1945: FIGHTER COMMAND
part of "IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM PHOTOGRAPH ARCHIVE COLLECTION" (photographs)
'Babs VI', a Typhoon of No 174 Squadron, coded XP-K, was photographed at Volkel on 9 February 1945, the day after it was written off in a wheels-up landing. Like so many aircraft crashes, this one was down to engine failure rather than enemy action.
ROYAL AIR FORCE: 1939-1945: COASTAL COMMAND
part of "BRITISH OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs)
An Anson of No 502 Squadron undergoing a major inspection at Aldergrove, near Belfast, April 1940.
HUDSON MARK 3 (LOCKHEED)
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Air Force official photographer
No 269 Squadron's most-photographed Hudson, T 9465 'Spirit of Lockheed-Vega Employees', bathed in early-morning sunshine while being readied for an anti-submarine patrol from Kaldadarnes, Iceland, October 1941.