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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harness
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Harness associated with 'Rex', a British Second World War Home Front 'rescue dog'. 'Rex' was awarded the Dickin medal on 25 April 1945 for outstanding bravery in finding bomb victims, trapped under fallen debris. (The Dickin Medal award was instituted by...
respirator carrier handbag
(equipment)
bag and gas mask Brown leather handbag with gas mask compartment underneath, the top of the bag has a metal zip fastening, the inside of this zipped compartment is lined with brown satin material and to one side is an integral purse with metal clasp made...
Steel Helmet, MkII, No.2C
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: Briggs Motor Bodies Ltd, Dagenham 1940
Following the Dunkirk evacuation in June 1940, British armed forces had the priority requirement for new and replacement issue of steel helmets above and beyond the requests of other organizations such as the Civil Defence Services. Because of the...
Steel Helmet, Civilian pattern: Fire Watchers
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: A M Co 1941
The London Blitz of 1940 highlighted the inadequacies of the authorities to gain control. The ARP in all their forms were stretched to capacity, therefore when 1kg magnesium incendiary bombs crashed through roofs later to ignite undetected, the...
Torch, Lamp Electric No.4
(equipment) Made by: D B Ltd
Used during the Second World War by Reginald Lee when serving in the Home Guard.
Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife [2nd Pattern], modified, with scabbard
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Wilkinson
Used by Frank Penfold (1913-2005) while acting as leader of the Arundel Patrol of the Auxiliary Units. He and other members of the patrol found the hilt of the F-S knife too small, and built them up with adhesive tape for a better grip.Penfold was later...