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

GENERAL..SIR.A.WAVELL.
(decorations and awards) 1941
whole : description : MODEL piece : design : General Sir Archibald Wavell, bust, three-quarter right profile, in uniform and cap piece : text : ".GENERAL..SIR.A.WAVELL."
FIER EN ONGEBROKEN
(decorations and awards) 1947
whole description : MODEL piece obverse text : woman prisoner of war, naked half-length stylised figure, her head turned to left and her long hair streaming behind her. She clasps her bound hands in front of her piece obverse text : "FIER EN ONGEBROKEN"...
ALLIED ARMIES
(decorations and awards) 1943
whole description : MODEL piece obverse design : Bay of Naples, view of, tree in the left foreground, yachts in the middle distance and a smoking Vesuvius in the right background piece obverse text : "ALLIED ARMIES" piece reverse text : "NAPLES GRATEFUL...
Charles.de.Gaulle
(decorations and awards) Made by: De Jaeger, Albert 1945
obverse design : General Charles de Gaulle, bust, left profile, in uniform and képi. The bust is depicted against a background of stylised concentric circles symbolising radio waves. The piece has an ornamental beaded border. Design executed in high...
British Military Hospital, Alexander, Singapore
(decorations and awards) Made by: Brand, W (artist) 1945
obverse design : British Military Hospital, Alexander, Singapore, view of, enclosed by circle obverse text : "British Military Hospital, Alexander, Singapore." (above the building) & "Massacre, 14 + 15 Feb, 1942" (base) & "32 Coy R.A.M.C. A.D.C....
Déporté Politique, 1945 [Political Prisoners, 1945]
(decorations and awards) Made by: Bazor, L 1945
obverse design: a kneeling prisoner, with hands tied behind his back, looks up at a cross of Lorraine. Other prisoners are being beaten up by German guards in a background frieze. obverse text: MAUTHAUSEN 18.11.41 5.5.45 DEPORTE POLITIQUE [Political...
Jean Moulin, 1899 -1943
(decorations and awards) Made by: Courbier, M 1948
obverse design: bust of French Resistance leader Jean Moulin (1899-1943). obverse text: JEAN MOULIN 1899 - 1943 reverse design: a hand rising from a pile of rubble, clutching a broken sword. reverse text: ORGANISATEUR DE LA RESISTANCE [Organiser of the...
F.M. MONTGOMERY LIBERABAMUR, ZONHOVEN 1944 - 1945
(decorations and awards) 1944
piece whole: circle piece obverse design : silver disk hand engraved with a smaller gold disk mounted centre, standing proud of silver surface. Gold disk hand engraved with a wreath and regimental badge(?) to the left and a stylised sun with a smiling...
(Derived Title) The Phra Chai Medallion
(decorations and awards) Made by: Brand, W (artist) 1945
design : Buddha, small head of, above three lines of text. The Buddha and text are enclosed by a circle which is in turn surrounded by text. Design and text on black enamel background which is surrounded by a narrow black enamel circle text : "Thailand...
(Derived Title) The Phra Chai Medallion
(decorations and awards) Made by: Brand, W (artist) 1945
obverse design : Buddha, small head of, above three lines of text. The Buddha and text are enclosed by a circle which is in turn surrounded by text obverse text : "Thailand 1945" (accompanied by Thai scipt and enclosed by circle) & "In the Buddha's...