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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Summary of service, 1942-1957
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE. NAVAL HISTORICAL BRANCH (author) 1979
NHB No. S 9507 (revised 7537)
Summary of service, [1940-1957]
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE. NAVAL HISTORICAL BRANCH (author) 1962
NHB No. S 3495
Summary of service, 1941-1945
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE. NAVAL HISTORICAL BRANCH (author) 1978
NHB No. S 9378
Summary of service, 1916-1939
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE. NAVAL HISTORICAL BRANCH (author) 1968
NHB No. S 7505 (revised October 1978)
Summary of service, 1939-1945
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE. NAVAL HISTORICAL BRANCH (author) 1968
Photocopied typescript notes of Ships' Histories digitised for 'Their Past Your Future' (TPYF) Project
Summary of service, [1916-1948]
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE. NAVAL HISTORICAL BRANCH (author) 1961
NHB No. S 5136
Summary of service, 1943-1950
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE. NAVAL HISTORICAL BRANCH (author) 1971
NHB No. S 8245
Summary of service in First and Second World Wars
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE. NAVAL HISTORICAL BRANCH (author) 1963
Photocopied typescript notes of Ships' Histories digitised for 'Their Past Your Future' (TPYF) Project
Summary of service, [1930-1941]
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE. NAVAL HISTORICAL BRANCH (author) n.d
NHB No. S 6006 (reprinted S 5129)
Summary of service, 1943-1957
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE. NAVAL HISTORICAL BRANCH (author) 1984
Photocopied typescript notes of Ships' Histories digitised for 'Their Past Your Future' (TPYF) Project