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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WOMEN'S ROYAL NAVAL SERVICE: WITH THE FLEET AIR ARM, SCOTLAND, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A Wren Visual Signaller uses a flash lamp to receive and send messages to ships at this Fleet Air Arm station, somewhere in Scotland. According to the original caption, after training Wren Visual Signallers are on duty in ports and their category badge...
WHITEHALL CANTEEN: EATING OUT IN WARTIME LONDON, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A view of men and women enjoying their lunchtime meal at the very busy Whitehall Canteen. All the tables are full, so two officers of the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) are standing in the middle of the room to drink their coffee.
WOMEN'S ROYAL NAVAL SERVICE: WITH THE FLEET AIR ARM, SCOTLAND, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Two Wren aircraft checkers look over every part of the aircraft to make sure that everything is in place before a flight. Aircraft checkers work in pairs and work their way down a checklist.
WOMEN'S ROYAL NAVAL SERVICE: WITH THE FLEET AIR ARM, SCOTLAND, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Women of the WRNS learn to pull a 12-oared cutter with a view to entering in the local regatta. The women on board are those with more sedentary jobs, such as 'Writers', and have been encouraged to get more involved in sports.
WOMEN'S ROYAL NAVAL SERVICE: WITH THE FLEET AIR ARM, SCOTLAND, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Third Officer Ingledew, WRNS, gives a lecture on aircraft recognition to gunners of the Station Defence. She uses an epidiascope to project pictures of aircraft onto the screen as well as models of aircraft during her daily hour-long lecture.
WOMEN'S ROYAL NAVAL SERVICE: WITH THE FLEET AIR ARM, SCOTLAND, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Two Wren Radio Mechanics work with a Naval Rating to test radio receivers in the radio workshop.
WOMEN'S ROYAL NAVAL SERVICE: WITH THE FLEET AIR ARM, SCOTLAND, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Maintenance Wrens now undertake electrical repairs as part of their duty. Here, two members of the WRNS mend an electrical fan in one of the naval officers' cabins on board a training ship.
WOMEN'S ROYAL NAVAL SERVICE: WITH THE FLEET AIR ARM, SCOTLAND, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Radio Mechanics of the WRNS prepare to board a Fleet Air Arm aircraft to test the radio whilst the aircraft is in flight.
WOMEN'S ROYAL NAVAL SERVICE: WITH THE FLEET AIR ARM, SCOTLAND, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Petty Officer Drummond, WRNS, is a cook on an air station and provides meals for 300 Wrens. She joined the WRNS as a wardroom galley cook the day after war broke out. She is now in charge of a WRNS galley.
WOMEN'S ROYAL NAVAL SERVICE: WITH THE FLEET AIR ARM, SCOTLAND, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Three Wren Parachute Packers help a pilot to collect up his parachute after landing.