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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Notes from Belsen Camp, 1945
(art) Made by: Kessell, Mary 1945
image: a group of gesticulating figures gathered around a prostrated figure. They are shown from an elevated perspective.
Notes from Belsen Camp, 1945
(art) Made by: Kessell, Mary 1945
image: an abstract sketch of a figure, possibly a young child.
Notes from Belsen Camp, 1945
(art) Made by: Kessell, Mary 1945
image: an abstract sketch of a figure, possibly a young child.
St Paul's Cathedral seen from the ruins of St Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside, London, EC2
(art) Made by: Uden, Ernest Boye 1941-05-04
image: a view of the interior of St Mary-le-Bow church, which is badly damaged and roofless as a result of bombing with debris on the floor. St Paul's Cathedral is visible in the background through the main window.
Junior Commander R N Eley, ATS
(art) Made by: Phillips, Patrick Edward 1945
A head and shoulder portrait of R N Eley in uniform.
Air Vice-Marshal L A Pattinson, CB, DSO, MC, DFC
(art) Made by: Rothenstein, William (Sir) 1939
image: a half-length portrait of Air Vice-Marshal L A Pattinson in uniform.
Air Vice-Marshal A T Harris, CB, OBE, AFC
(art) Made by: Rothenstein, William (Sir) 1940-08-01
image: a half length portrait of Air Vice-Marshal A T Harris in uniform with his arms folded.
Interior of a Direction-Finder 2
(art) Made by: Monnington, Walter Thomas (Sir) (PRA)
image: a portrait of Ray Ellinor Bryant wearing headphones sitting at some navigational equipment. A second man stands behind him.
Head of a Docker, Cape Town 1941
(art) Made by: Searle, Ronald William Fordham 1941-12-01
image: The drawing of the head of an African dock worker.
Notes from Belsen Camp, 1945
(art) Made by: Kessell, Mary 1945
image: a head portrait of a man wearing a cap.