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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CECIL BEATON PHOTOGRAPHS: TYNESIDE SHIPYARDS, ENGLAND, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Beaton Cecil
The end of the shift. Tens of workers, both male and female, having finished their work stream off a large vessel and through the shipyard.
CECIL BEATON PHOTOGRAPHS: TYNESIDE SHIPYARDS, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Beaton Cecil
Two male workers shearing a metal sheet using a piece of machinery manufactured by J Bennie & Sons of Glasgow.
CECIL BEATON PHOTOGRAPHS: TYNESIDE SHIPYARDS, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Beaton Cecil
The interior of the drawing office. Workers can be seen concentrating on various plans.
CECIL BEATON PHOTOGRAPHS: TYNESIDE SHIPYARDS, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Beaton Cecil
A ship on the stocks in a slipway of the Walker Naval Yard of Vickers Armstrong.
IN A BRITISH SHIPYARD: EVERYDAY LIFE IN THE SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY, UK, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Beaton Cecil
Workers at a shipyard, somewhere in Britain, chip an airtight oil hatch on a tanker. Behind them, several large cranes can be seen, dominating the skyline.
IN A BRITISH SHIPYARD: EVERYDAY LIFE IN THE SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY, UK, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Beaton Cecil
A striking view of the 'ladder' or ramp which rises steeply up to the deck level of a ship 'skeleton' at a shipyard, somewhere in Britain. In the foreground, piles of metal strips and piping can be seen. To the right of the photograph, several workers...
IN A BRITISH SHIPYARD: EVERYDAY LIFE IN THE SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY, UK, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Beaton Cecil
A caulker at work on a large metal plate at a shipyard, somewhere in Britain. The caulker's job is to fill in any gaps, making the ship watertight.
IN A BRITISH SHIPYARD: EVERYDAY LIFE IN THE SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY, UK, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Beaton Cecil
A carpenter planes timber in the mould loft of a shipyard, somewhere in Britain.
IN A BRITISH SHIPYARD: EVERYDAY LIFE IN THE SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY, UK, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Beaton Cecil
A rivetter at work, on a ship on the stocks at a British shipyard. He is following the chalk marks on the hull which indicate where rivets should be placed. These marks are known as the rivetter's 'score'.
IN A BRITISH SHIPYARD: EVERYDAY LIFE IN THE SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY, UK, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Beaton Cecil
A draftsman at work in the Drawing Office at a shipyard, somewhere in Britain. A blueprint can be seen spread out on the desk in front of him.