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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Collections search

Greenwood Fantasy, c.1944
(art) Made by: Meninsky, Philip 1944
No description available
Supper, 1943
(art) Made by: Ward, Frank C (ARCA) 1943
image: four soldiers in uniform sit on wooden benches around a table, eating.
Back from Manoeuvres, 1943
(art) Made by: Ward, Frank C (ARCA) 1943
image: two soldiers lie next to each other asleep on some bedding on the floor of a tent. They both are in uniform and lie one behind the other with their arms crossed.
Siesta, 1943
(art) Made by: Ward, Frank C (ARCA) 1943
image: two soldiers lie side by side on the floor of a tent with their heads resting on khaki bags. Both are wearing dessert gear. The soldier furthest away is reading, but the man nearest the artist has fallen asleep with his book resting on his chest.
Coming Out, 1943
(art) Made by: Ward, Frank C (ARCA) 1943
image: in the foreground a soldier stands with his shirt open, leaning against a funnel on the deck of a ship. He is standing in the shade of a small canopy. On the right another soldier is sitting on the deck reading. Behind him two more men are sitting...
Tommy Walker, November 1942
(art) Made by: Mount, Cyril 1942
No description available
Sketch for 'A Corner of Merton, August 16th 1940'
(art) Made by: Bush, Harry 1940
No description available
Sketch for 'A Corner of Merton, August 16th 1940'
(art) Made by: Bush, Harry 1940
No description available
Mosquito DK393, 1942
(art) Made by: Temple
No description available
Sketchbook of satirical portraits and sketches of life at Vittel Camp, France 1942 - 1944
(art) Made by: 'CAM 1942
No description available