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

scarf, Jacqmar, 'Into Battle
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Jacqmar
Second World War period Jacqmar scarf; British 'home front' associations.
brassard, British, Civilian Evacuation Officer, London County Council
(uniforms and insignia) 1940
Donor worked as a teacher in Church Road School, Stoke Newington, London, before and during the Second World War, with periods spent accompanying parties of evacuees.
Trousers, civilian (Demob suit)
(uniforms and insignia)
When servicemen completed their period of war service they went to a demobilisation centre for processing where their uniform and personal kit was exchanged for a civilian style clothing, known as a 'demob suit'. The man had a choice of clothing and this...
Waistcoat, civilian (Demob suit)
(uniforms and insignia)
When servicemen completed their period of war service they went to a demobilisation centre for processing where their uniform and personal kit was exchanged for a civilian style clothing, known as a 'demob suit'. The man had a choice of clothing but this...
Jacket, civilian (Demob suit)
(uniforms and insignia)
When servicemen completed their period of war service they went to demobilisation centre for processing where their uniform and personal kit was exchanged for a civilian style clothing, known as a 'demob suit'. The man had a choice of clothing but this...
embroidered head rest cover ('Dig for Victory')
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Second World War embroidered head rest cover, patriotically celebrating the 'Dig for Victory' campaign, worked by G A Francis whilst serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) in 1944 at the Ordnance Depot at Melton Mowbray. The transfers were...
Respirator, anti-gas, General Civilian (boxed): British
(equipment) Made by: Henley 1940-05
British Second World War general civilian issue anti-gas respirator (gas mask) with cardboard carrying case.
Steel Helmet, MKII 'Controller' (ARP/CD)
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: J S S 1939
This form of helmet decoration was first established from June 1940. The double-black stripes indicated the status of a Senior Supervisory Officer.
Defence Medal (1939-1945)
(decorations and awards)
medal and ribbon (see) MODEL OMD 290
Wedding Dress, Utility pattern
(uniforms and insignia)
This utility pattern dress was ordered by Eileen Baddock for her proposed marriage to Pilot Officer Leslie Clement Dorward, Royal Australian Air Force. However Dorward (posthumous DFC) was killed in action just one week before the wedding and it was thus...