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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WINGS FOR VICTORY ART SHOW, PICCADILLY, LONDON, ENGLAND, UK, MARCH 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Servicemen and civilians look at the paintings featured in an art exhibition held in the former car showrooms of Rootes Ltd in Piccadilly during Wings for Victory Week.
WINGS FOR VICTORY ART SHOW, PICCADILLY, LONDON, ENGLAND, UK, MARCH 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Two women look at a pastel study of a Norwegian captain serving with the RAF at an exhibition of art held in the former car showrooms of Rootes Ltd in Piccadilly during Wings for Victory Week. The study is by Eric Kennington.
WARTIME IN THE SCILLIES: EVERYDAY LIFE ON THE SCILLY ISLES, APRIL 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A Bovey pottery figure of Winston Churchill can be seen amongst other items as part of a display in the window of a shop on Tresco, Scilly Isles, to promote War Weapons Week, to be held between 14th and 20th April.
Wings for Victory Week: Trafalgar Square, London WC2
(art) Made by: Pitchforth, Roland Vivian (RA) 1943
image: a view of a busy Trafalgar Square in London with a Lancaster bomber on display as a huge crowd gathers to mark 'Wings for Victory Week'. The view faces the front of the National Gallery in the background, which has numerous flags of Allied nations...
FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNS: WARSHIP WEEK, LONDON, ENGLAND, UK, MARCH 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A general view of a stand in the foyer of Ministry of Information headquarters at Senate House for Warship Week. Posters, photographs and flags decorate the stand, which is manned by two members of staff. A banner reads: "Ministry of Information 'Save...