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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Have You Heard?
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1943-10
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in black, set against a white background. image: text only. text: HAVE YOU HEARD? ITALY has declared War on Germany -- But England and her Allies are still in the War, 'up to the neck'; our splendid men are...
Notice - Practice Black Out
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1940-04-15
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in black, set against a white background. image: text only. text: SAINT VINCENT. NOTICE. PRACTICE BLACK OUT. 1. AT LEAST ONE PRACTICE BLACK OUT WILL BE HELD DURING THE WEEK COMMENCING SUNDAY, THE 21ST OF APRIL...
Notice - Practice Black Out
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1939-10-11
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in black, set against a white background. image: text only. text: SAINT VINCENT. NOTICE. PRACTICE BLACK OUT. 1. AT LEAST ONE PRACTICE BLACK OUT WILL BE HELD DURING THE WEEK COMMENCING SUNDAY, THE 15TH OF...
Notice - Recruiting for Overseas Service in the Armed Forces
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1939-11-07
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in black, set against a white background. image: text only. text: NOTICE. RECRUITING FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES. THE POSITION IN REGARD TO RECRUITING FOR THE ARMED FORCES IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM...
Order
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1939-09-21
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in black, set against a white background. image: text only. text: SAINT VINCENT. ORDER. Made by the Governor under Regulation 64 of the Defence of the Colony Regulations, 1939. 1. THIS ORDER MAY BE CITED AS THE...
Government Notice
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1941-12-12
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in black, set against a white background. image: text only. text: SAINT VINCENT. GOVERNMENT NOTICE. THE attention of the Public is hereby drawn to the Defence (Black Out No. 4) Order, 1940, which is re-...
We Shall Win the War
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1939-09-01
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in black, held within a decorative black border and set against a white background. image: text only. text: WE SHALL WIN THE WAR -BECAUSE- - WE HAVE THE INVINCIBLE DETERMINATION OF FREE MEN FIGHTING FOR THEIR...
Flag Day
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in black, set against a pink background. image: text only. text: FLAG DAY JUNE 9TH. IN AID OF THE RED CROSS. Emblems will be on Sale. Your contribution is needed to assist in this noble work. Give generously of...
Notice - Prices of Foodstuffs etc
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1939-09-01
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in black, set against a white background. image: text only. text: NOTICE. PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS, ETC. THE attention of all concerned is directed to the Supplies (Prices of Foodstuffs, etc.) Order, 1939, which...
VJ Day
(posters) Made by: Unknown 1945
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in black, set against a white background. image: text only. text: VJ DAY. Official Programme of celebrations following the announcement of Victory in Japan. HOLIDAYS ON THE SECOND AND THIRD DAYS FOLLOWING VJ...