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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A Sunday Morning with the Home Guard: Storming an Enemy Post
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1941
image: A country lane with a group of home guards rushing along. They are turning a corner, through a gate next to a small low building. There is one man, further down the lane, lagging behind.
A Sunday Morning with the Home Guard: Advance on the First Objective
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1941
image: A group of Home Guards moving through parkland towards a large house. The men at the front, near the house, are lying on the ground while the others appear to be running.
The Tube: October 1940
(art) Made by: Topolski, Feliks 1940-10-01
image: The interior of Leicester Square underground station with figures lying asleep on the floor of the station platform. There is a large man sitting smoking a pipe in the foreground, and several ARP wardens wearing helmets standing further down the...
Behind Ruweisat Ridge
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1942
image: a desert scene with a Bren Gun Carrier, upon which a British soldier is sitting, placed behind a wall of sandbags. Various bits of equipment are scattered about and other men are engaged in various fatigue duties. In the background two men are...
Hitler's Yacht 'Grille' in Asenfjord, near Trondheim
(art) Made by: Bone, Stephen 1945
image: Side view of Hitler's yacht with two tenders alongside, moored in a wooded fjord.
An Indian Military Policeman, Batavia, 1945
(art) Made by: Rafty, Tony 1945
image: a half-length portrait showing an Indian Military Policeman in uniform, turning towards the left.
A Hutted Encampment
(art) Made by: Sorrell, Alan 1943
image: a detailed view from above of an RAF camp set amongst trees. The camp is full of Nissen huts with troops walking and cycling along the connecting roads, the main one of which runs from the bottom right corner in the foreground to the top left in...
Recruits Leaving the Camp
(art) Made by: Sorrell, Alan 1941
image: a monochrome wintry night scene, with a column of RAF recruits wearing packs and greatcoats marching through the open gate of the camp. There are huts to the left and right and a full moon is visible in the night sky in the top left. The ground...
Pipe Down for Make and Mend
(art) Made by: Beaton, Cecil 1942
No description available
Subedar Lalbahadur Thapa, VC : 4th Indian Division
(art) Made by: Gross, Anthony (CBE) (RA) 1943
image: An officer is seated on a chair in a tent in the desert. Three other officers are sat at his feet listening intently to what he is instructing them to do.