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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Britain's Sea Power is Yours!
(posters) Made by: Thomas, Walter (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority, with the Admiralty seal placed in the upper right. The title is separate and positioned along the top edge and bottom edge, in red. The text is integrated and placed in the lower right, in white. All set against a...
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...
A Tank Worker from Nigeria
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the image occupies the majority, with a smaller image placed in the lower left, held within a blue circular inset. The title and text are separate and positioned in the lower fifth, in black. All set against a white background and held within a...
A Volunteer from British Guiana
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the image occupies the majority, with a smaller image placed in the lower left, held within a blue circular inset. The title and text are separate and positioned in the lower fifth, in black. All set against a white background and held within a...
A Mite for Right
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the upper three-quarters, held within a circular inset. A smaller image is placed in the upper right. The title is separate and located in the upper quarter, in white cursive script. The text is partially integrated and...
Mauritians Serving in the British Army
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the 12 images occupy the majority. The title is separate and positioned in the upper third, in black. The text is separate and placed beneath each image as a caption, also in black. The coat of arms of Mauritius is located at the top edge centre....
Torpeamento Aéreo Pela Marinha Real [Air Torpedoes for the Royal Navy]
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the three images occupy the majority. The title and text are separate and positioned in the centre left, in white, held within a blue inset. All set against a white background. image: three photographs of a British RAF Fairey Swordfish. In the...
Cypriots Serving with the British Forces
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the 11 images occupy the majority. The title is separate and positioned across the top edge, in black. The text is separate and placed beneath each image as a caption, also in black. The coat of arms of Cyprus is located at the top edge centre....
The Attack Begins in the Factory
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, held within a yellow border. The title and text are separate and positioned in the lower quarter, in black, set against a yellow background. image: a full-length depiction of a British infantryman...
Builders - You are Hitting Back
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the main image is positioned in the top left corner, with five other images placed one above another, down the right edge. The title is separate and positioned in the upper third, in orange and in black. The text is separate and placed in the...