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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BLACKOUT PRECAUTIONS FOR DRIVERS, LONDON, ENGLAND, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
This bollard on a traffic island on a London street, possibly Knightsbridge, is just one of the many driving precautions established during the war to prevent accidents during the blackout. The bollard is painted white to be as reflective as possible...
BLACKOUT PRECAUTIONS FOR DRIVERS, LONDON, ENGLAND, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
This photograph shows a large white 'V' painted on the road in the Strand in London, as a precaution for those driving in the blackout.
BLACKOUT PRECAUTIONS FOR DRIVERS, LONDON, ENGLAND, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A member of the Westminster Road Lining Unit pushes his line-painting machine along a London street as he puts the finishing touches to the large white 'Y' he is painting on the road. Several cars can be seen in the background.
BLACKOUT PRECAUTIONS FOR DRIVERS, LONDON, ENGLAND, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A view of a winding road, somewhere in London, showing the black and white stripes or blocks which have been painted on the kerb to give a checked effect, highlighting the kerb to drivers in the blackout.
BLACKOUT AND AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS IN LONDON, ENGLAND, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
The windows of this large rounded building (probably Westminster City Hall on Charing Cross Road) have been bricked up, both as a way to blackout the building, but also to prevent the glass from being continuously smashed by air raids. Various posters,...
BLACKOUT AND AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS IN LONDON, ENGLAND, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
The large windows above this J Lyon's and Company tea shop have been bricked up, but with a few small openings remaining. The windows have been bricked up so that they are not continually smashed during air raids. A bus stop is also just visible at the...
BLACKOUT AND AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS IN LONDON, ENGLAND, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
The large doorway at the entrance to the Royal Institute of British Architects has been bricked up and a new entrance created. An extra brick wall has been placed in front of the entrance and the doorway moved to the side if this wall. The aim of this...
BLACKOUT AND AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS IN LONDON, ENGLAND, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
This photograph shows a thick brick blast wall which has been built in front of a Police Box, somewhere in London. The lower part of the wall has been painted with black and white stripes to make it clearly visible to pedestrians in the blackout.
BLACKOUT AND AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS IN LONDON, ENGLAND, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A view of the interior of a London bus, showing the anti-blast window protection mesh which has been installed on this vehicle. A few small round holes can be seen in the netting, probably to allow passengers to see out of the window properly.
BLACKOUT PRECAUTIONS FOR DRIVERS IN LONDON, ENGLAND, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
This photograph shows the hooded headlamps of a Westminster stretcher party vehicle, somewhere in London. The hood fits over the headlamp and is completely solid, with the exception of three strips cut into it which allow light to filter through and...