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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428 BATTERY, COASTAL DEFENCE ARTILLERY HEADQUARTERS, DOVER, KENT, DECEMBER 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Men of 428 Battery, Coast Defence Artillery remove the charge from safety containers.
428 BATTERY, COASTAL DEFENCE ARTILLERY HEADQUARTERS, DOVER, KENT, DECEMBER 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Auxiliary Territorial Service plotters at work at the Headquarters of 428 Battery, Coast Defence Artillery.
428 BATTERY, COASTAL DEFENCE ARTILLERY HEADQUARTERS, DOVER, KENT, DECEMBER 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
428 Battery, Coast Defence Artillery fire a salvo at dusk.
428 BATTERY, COASTAL DEFENCE ARTILLERY HEADQUARTERS, DOVER, KENT, DECEMBER 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
A member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service, Miss Elizabeth Amery computes the range at 428 Battery, Coast Defence Artillery Headquarters.
428 BATTERY, COASTAL DEFENCE ARTILLERY HEADQUARTERS, DOVER, KENT, DECEMBER 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
An Indication Officer using stereoscopic binoculars at the Observation Post of 428 Battery, Coast Defence Artillery.
428 BATTERY, COASTAL DEFENCE ARTILLERY HEADQUARTERS, DOVER, KENT, DECEMBER 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Right to left: Sergeant Tasker, Limber Gunner Tye, and the storeman discuss the night shoot in the ammunition stores at 428 Battery, Coast Defence Artillery.
428 BATTERY, COASTAL DEFENCE ARTILLERY HEADQUARTERS, DOVER, KENT, DECEMBER 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Setting fuses in the ammunition stores at 428 Battery, Coast Defence Artillery.
428 BATTERY, COASTAL DEFENCE ARTILLERY HEADQUARTERS, DOVER, KENT, DECEMBER 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
A gunner of 428 Battery, Coast Defence Artillery, pushing a gun trolley loaded with shells, as guns fire at night.
428 BATTERY, COASTAL DEFENCE ARTILLERY HEADQUARTERS, DOVER, KENT, DECEMBER 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Shells being checked and taken from the ammunition store of 428 Battery, Coast Defence Artillery.
428 BATTERY, COASTAL DEFENCE ARTILLERY HEADQUARTERS, DOVER, KENT, DECEMBER 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Shells being checked and taken from the ammunition store of 428 Battery, Coast Defence Artillery.