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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THE ROYAL NAVY DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Oulds, D C (Lt)
Trainees, their faces painted with camouflage paint, on patrol in a wooded area at the Royal Marines Eastern Warfare School. These men are learning to give themselves all-round protection when forced to keep to a narrow track in the "English jungle" at...
THE ROYAL NAVY DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Oulds, D C (Lt)
DEMS (Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships) ratings manning a six inch gun, the main defensive armament of a merchant ship at Liverpool.
THE ROYAL NAVY DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Oulds, D C (Lt)
The batsman on board HMS ILLUSTRIOUS in the Indian Ocean. Here a more violent movement of the bats indicates "You are far too much to Starboard". The violent movement of the bats is given only when the Lieutenant Flying considers the aircraft to be too...
THE ROYAL NAVY DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Oulds, D C (Lt)
The batsman on board HMS ILLUSTRIOUS in the Indian Ocean. This signal indicates - "Go higher for your approach".
THE ROYAL NAVY DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Oulds, D C (Lt)
Waves crashing over the bow of the aircraft carrier HMS ILLUSTRIOUS as she meets some heavy weather while steaming around the Cape of Good Hope. In the foreground is the wind shield and two of her twin 4.5 inch gun turrets.
THE ROYAL NAVY DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Oulds, D C (Lt)
Two sailors, standing on precariously lowered platforms perform the necessary task of repainting when small ships return to base after a long spell U-boat hunting in the Atlantic. The ship being repainted at Londonderry is the Flower class corvette HMS...
THE ROYAL NAVY DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Oulds, D C (Lt)
Two sailors, standing on precariously lowered platforms perform the necessary task of repainting when small ships return to base after a long spell U-boat hunting in the Atlantic. The ship being repainted at Londonderry is the Flower class corvette HMS...
THE ROYAL NAVY DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Oulds, D C (Lt)
The kite balloon drifter ROGER BLONDE delivering a balloon to a merchant ship in the River Mersey. This vessel is manned entirely by Belgian seamen who escaped from Belgium during the invasion of the Low Countries in May 1940. They are attached to the...
THE ROYAL NAVY DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Oulds, D C (Lt)
Picture shows the French tricolour flying on board LCH 240, part of the invasion force at sunset on the eve of the landings. Some of the ships of the invasion fleet can be seen silhouetted by the sun.
THE ROYAL NAVY DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Oulds, D C (Lt)
Picture shows a dawn impression of the landings in progress, smoke is drifting along the coastline and what appears to be a landing craft infantry (large) is underway in the foreground.