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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THE ANGLO-SOVIET TREATY, MAY 1942
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Air Force official photographer
Winston Churchill with British and Soviet representatives, including Anthony Eden and Vyacheslav Molotov, in London following the signing of the Anglo-Soviet Treaty on 26 May 1942.
SALUTE TO THE RED ARMY, ROYAL ALBERT HALL, LONDON, 21 FEBRUARY 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Anthony Eden addresses the assembly at the Royal Albert Hall.
SALUTE TO THE RED ARMY, ROYAL ALBERT HALL, LONDON, 21 FEBRUARY 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Anthony Eden addresses the assembly at the Royal Albert Hall.
SALUTE TO THE RED ARMY, ROYAL ALBERT HALL, LONDON, 21 FEBRUARY 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Anthony Eden addresses the assembly at the Royal Albert Hall.
SALUTE TO THE RED ARMY, ROYAL ALBERT HALL, LONDON, 21 FEBRUARY 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Anthony Eden addresses the assembly at the Royal Albert Hall.
SALUTE TO THE RED ARMY, ROYAL ALBERT HALL, LONDON, 21 FEBRUARY 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Anthony Eden addresses the assembly at the Royal Albert Hall.
BRITISH POLITICAL PERSONALITIES 1936-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR PRESS AGENCY PRINT COLLECTION" (photographs)
The Churchill Coalition Government 11 May 1940 - 23 May 1945: The Deputy Prime Minister, Clement Attlee; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Anthony Eden; and the Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the garden of No 10 Downing Street with the Russian...
BRITISH POLITICAL PERSONALITIES 1936-1945
part of "FOREIGN OFFICE POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT (PID) SECOND WORLD WAR PHOTOGRAPH LIBRARY: CLASSIFIED PRINT COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Vandyk
The Churchill Coalition Government 11 May 1940 - 23 May 1945: Members of Churchill's Defence Committee in the garden of 10 Downing Street. Seen in the back row from left to right are: Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal, Chief of the Air Staff; Admiral...