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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RAF SECOND TACTICAL AIR FORCE ATTACK ON MONS [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Air Ministry Directorate of Public Relations (Production sponsor) 1944-04-26
Day attack by Douglas Boston bombers of FFAF (Free French Air Force) 342 (Lorraine) Squadron on a carriage and wagon repair shop at Mons, Belgium. Filmed by on board cameras. Camera plane piloted by Sergeant Martin.
RAF SECOND TACTICAL AIR FORCE ATTACK ON GORENFLOS [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Air Ministry Directorate of Public Relations (Production sponsor) 1944-03-15
Day attack by Douglas Boston bombers of RAF 88 (Hong Kong) Squadron against construction work at Gorenflos near Abbeville, France. Filmed by on board cameras. Camera plane piloted by Warrant Officer Halliday.
RAF SECOND TACTICAL AIR FORCE ATTACK ON IJMUIDEN [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Air Ministry Directorate of Public Relations (Production sponsor) 1944-03-26
Day attack by Douglas Boston bombers of FFAF (Free French Air Force) 342 (Lorraine) Squadron against E-boat pens at Ijmuiden, Holland (Netherlands). Filmed by on board cameras.
RAF SECOND TACTICAL AIR FORCE ATTACK ON CREIL [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Air Ministry Directorate of Public Relations (Production sponsor) 1944-03-23
Day attack by Douglas Boston bombers of RAF 88 (Hong Kong) Squadron and FFAF (French Free Air Force) 342 (Lorraine) Squadron against railway marshalling yards at Creil, France. Filmed by on board cameras. Camera planes piloted by Flying Officer Tyler and...
RAF SECOND TACTICAL AIR FORCE ATTACK ON ÉVREUX [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Air Ministry Directorate of Public Relations (Production sponsor) 1944-05-24
Day attack by Douglas Boston bombers of RAF 88 (Hong Kong) Squadron on Fauville airfield, Évreux near Paris, France. Filmed by on board cameras. Camera plane piloted by Pilot Officer Breckles.
RAF SECOND TACTICAL AIR FORCE ATTACK ON NAMUR [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Air Ministry Directorate of Public Relations (Production sponsor) 1944-04-30
Day attack by North American Mitchell bombers of RAF 226 Squadron on Namur, France. Filmed by on board cameras. Camera plane piloted by Flight Lieutenant Forder.
RAF SECOND TACTICAL AIR FORCE ATTACK ON CHARLEVILLE [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Air Ministry Directorate of Public Relations (Production sponsor) 1944-05-15
Day attack by Douglas Boston bombers of FFAF (Free French Air Force) 342 (Lorraine) Squadron on Charleville, France. Filmed by on board cameras. Camera plane piloted by Flying Officer Howard.
RAF SECOND TACTICAL AIR FORCE ATTACK ON BOIS DE LA JUSTICE [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Air Ministry Directorate of Public Relations (Production sponsor) 1944-02-24
Day attack by Douglas Boston bombers of RAF 88 (Hong Kong) Squadron against Bois de la Justice, France. Filmed by on board cameras. Camera plane piloted by Flight Lieutenant Messman.
RAF SECOND TACTICAL AIR FORCE ATTACK ON FABUIN FALFART [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Air Ministry Directorate of Public Relations (Production sponsor) 1944-02-08
Day attack by Douglas Boston bombers of RAF 88 (Hong Kong) Squadron against Fabuin Falfart. Filmed by on board cameras. Camera plane piloted by Flight Lieutenant Bance.
RAF SECOND TACTICAL AIR FORCE ATTACK ON LE MESNIL ALLARD [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Air Ministry Directorate of Public Relations (Production sponsor) 1944-02-08
Day attack by Douglas Boston bombers of RAF 88 (Hong Kong) Squadron against Le Mesnil Allard, France. Filmed by on board cameras. Camera plane piloted by Pilot Officer Tyler.