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

Einen Grundstein [A Foundation Stone]
(posters) Made by: Pl, W (artist)
whole: the image occupies the whole, with the title and text integrated. The title is positioned across the top in red, with the text placed upper left and across the bottom, in black. image: a three-quarter length depiction of a bearded civilian man...
The Kitchen is the Key to Victory
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the two images are positioned in the upper three-quarters. The title is partially integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, centre and lower quarter, in yellow and in yellow outlined black. The text is separate and positioned along the...
AIR RAID DAMAGE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR.
part of "HOME OFFICE FIRST WORLD WAR AIR RAID DAMAGE COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Home Office photographer 1917-09
A general view of the damage to the Workhouse Laundry on St John's Road, Upper Holloway in Islington, following a raid by German Gothas on the night of 4 - 5 September 1917. Much of the roof has collapsed into the building, with the sky visible through...
DO YOUR BIT - SAVE FOOD
(posters) Made by: Randall, Maurice (artist)
whole: the image fills the upper three-quarters of the design with text, in red, incorporated into it at the top. In the bottom quarter is a text box, with the text in white set against a navy blue background. image: a head and shoulders portrait of a...
Private Papers of Miss V Bawtree
(private papers) Made by: Bawtree, V
Ts transcription of extracts from her diary (7pp), 1916 - 1919, containing interesting observations on Zeppelin raids on various parts of the country, Conscientious Objectors, wartime restrictions and her thoughts on the progress of the war, concluding...
Private Papers of Mrs S Watkins
(private papers) Made by: Watkins, S
Notebook containing ms notes and diagrams (37pp) relating to her work as a Shell Inspector at No 13 Filling Factory, Morecambe, during the First World War; together with an undated ms letter (1p) from a Presbyterian Minister recommending her as suitable...
First World War "In Memoriam" Card to Children Killed During an Air Raid
(private papers)
"In Memoriam" card bearing a printed message to a family "Who lost their lives by Hostile Aircraft in the Raid on London on October 19, 1917" and a verse relating to the fate of children facing "the German Death". Together with an identity certificate...
Private Papers of Reverend J Mackay
(private papers) Made by: Mackay, J
A collection of circular letters sent out by him as the Methodist Minister of the Archway Central Hall to members of his parish on military service, September 1940 - July 1944, providing local news, together with documents, slides and photographs...
Memorabilia of a Yorkshire Family, First and Second World Wars
(private papers)
Collection of 25 miscellaneous documents mostly relating to the Hindley family of Amotherby, North Yorkshire, including newspapers, letters and official forms (1901 - 1954).
Soldier's autograph album, 1916 - 1919
(private papers)
Collection of certificates and other papers and photographs relating to the service career of A F Carnell in the Cheshire Brigade RFA (TF) in the UK, 1915 and in the 419th Battery, 242nd RFA Brigade in France, 1916 - 1919, together with documents...