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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DISPLACED PERSONS AND REFUGEES IN GERMANY
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Mapham J (Sgt) 1945-05-18
The Displaced Persons camp within the grounds of Hamburg Zoo was build by the Blohm & Voss company during WWII to house the forced labourers that worked in their factory. The camp was taken over by the British on 5 May 1945 and quickly given over as...
EVACUATION OF POLISH CIVILIANS FROM THE SOVIET UNION TO PERSIA, 1942
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-11-06
When Poland was attacked by the Nazis on 1 September, the Red Army also invaded on 17 September 1939. As a result of the Soviet invasion enormous numbers of Polish soldiers and civilians were deported by the NKVD to various locations in the Soviet Union...
EVACUATION OF POLISH CIVILIANS FROM THE SOVIET UNION TO PERSIA, 1942
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-11-06
When Poland was attacked by the Nazis on 1 September, the Red Army also invaded on 17 September 1939. As a result of the Soviet invasion enormous numbers of Polish soldiers and civilians were deported by the NKVD to various locations in the Soviet Union...
EVACUATION OF POLISH CIVILIANS FROM THE SOVIET UNION TO PERSIA, 1942
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-11-06
When Poland was attacked by the Nazis on 1 September, the Red Army also invaded on 17 September 1939. As a result of the Soviet invasion enormous numbers of Polish soldiers and civilians were deported by the NKVD to various locations in the Soviet Union...
EVACUATION OF POLISH CIVILIANS FROM THE SOVIET UNION TO PERSIA, 1942
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-11-06
When Poland was attacked by the Nazis on 1 September, the Red Army also invaded on 17 September 1939. As a result of the Soviet invasion enormous numbers of Polish soldiers and civilians were deported by the NKVD to various locations in the Soviet Union...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1941-1943
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-08-17
After the German-Soviet Invasion of Poland a great number of Poles was deported to various camps in the Soviet Gulag. Among them were many boys of all ages. After signing of the Sikorski -Mayski Agreement in 1941 many survivors - men, women, children -...
EVACUATION OF POLISH CIVILIANS FROM THE SOVIET UNION TO PERSIA, 1942
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 1 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1942-11-06
When Poland was attacked by the Nazis on 1 September, the Red Army also invaded on 17 September 1939. As a result of the Soviet invasion enormous numbers of Polish soldiers and civilians were deported by the NKVD to various locations in the Soviet Union...
WINSTON CHURCHILL DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1940-10-23
The Prime Minister Winston Churchill inspecting troops of the 1st Rifle Brigade (1st Polish Corps) based at St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, accompanied by his wife Clementine, who is wearing a Polish officer's great coat. On the right of the photograph is...
DISPLACED PERSONS AND REFUGEES IN GERMANY
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit 1945-05-18
The Displaced Persons camp within the grounds of Hamburg Zoo was build by the Blohm & Voss company during WWII to house the forced labourers that worked in their factory. The camp was taken over by the British on 5 May 1945 and quickly given over as...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1942-07-13
Mr Don Sutton representing American Newspaper Enterprise Association visited some of the 1st Polish Corps units in Scotland in July 1942. During his visit he witnessed some of the daily activities of Polish troops. Mr Sutton' visit (and below photographs...