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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Hand scythe, Women's Land Army
(equipment)
Scythe used by Margaret Scanlon when she was serving in the Women's Land Army during the Second World War.
THE HOME FRONT IN BRITAIN DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division official photographer
A recruit fastening chains around tree trunks on a wagon at the Women's Land Army Training Camp at Culford in Suffolk, England.
WARTIME IN THE SCILLIES: EVERYDAY LIFE ON THE SCILLY ISLES, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A restful scene of a farmer and his horse ploughing a field on the lower slopes of Vane Hill, Tresco, Scilly Isles, in the sunshine, whilst two Land Girls plant potatoes in the background. Also visible behind the farmer is a view of Beacon Hill, Dolphin...
WARTIME IN THE SCILLIES: EVERYDAY LIFE ON THE SCILLY ISLES, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Four members of the Women's Land Army (WLA) plant potatoes in a field on the lower slopes of Vane Hill, Tresco, Scilly Isles 1941. Behind them can be seen hills, fields and houses of Dolphin Town.
WOMEN'S LAND ARMY TRAINING, CANNINGTON, SOMERSET, ENGLAND, C 1940
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A Land Girl collects a large forkful of hay from the stack in order to feed cattle at the WLA training centre at Cannington in Somerset.
THE WOMEN'S LAND ARMY ON THE HOME FRONT IN BRITAIN
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division official photographer
Members of the WLA help a farmer to plough reclaimed fenland in Cambridgeshire. The deep digger plough and International tractor being used are ploughing 15 inches deep.
AMERICANS IN BRITAIN, 1942 - 1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
British Land Army girls and members of the Women's Royal Air Force (WAAF) dance with men of the US Eighth Army Air Force in Suffolk during 1943.
WOMEN ON THE HOME FRONT 1939 - 1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
The Women's Land Army (WLA): Land Army girls at work on a land drainage scheme. In the foreground a Land Army girl is seen levelling the earth that has been excavated.
WOMEN ON THE HOME FRONT 1939 - 1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
The Women's Land Army (WLA): Five Land Army girls hoeing in a field.
WOMEN ON THE HOME FRONT 1939 - 1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division official photographer
The Women's Land Army (WLA): A group of happy Land Army girls in the back of an OHMS truck, Devon, England.