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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Be Kind to Your Toes
(posters) Made by: George Him & Jan Le Witt 'Lewitt-Him' (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper half, with the title separate and positioned in the lower quarter, in orange. The text is separate and placed in the lower half, in black. All set against a white background. image: a cat wearing wellington boots...
In a Raid - Motorists ...
(posters) Made by: Purvis, Tom (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority of the left half. The title is separate and positioned across the top edge, in red. The text is separate and positioned in the lower right, in black. All set against a white background. image: a depiction of the...
In a Raid - Open your door to passers-by
(posters) Made by: Purvis, Tom (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority of the left half. The title is separate and positioned across the top edge, in red. The text is separate and positioned in the lower right, in black. All set against a white background. image: a depiction of the...
Help Your Fellow Citizens To Have a Home Again
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the photographic image is covers the main. The title and text, in orange, are located across the top and imposed over the image. A white inset, bearing the W V S Civil Defence emblem, is placed bottom right and carries further text. A band of...
Mothers Let Them Go
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1939
whole: the image is positioned in the lower two-thirds. The title and text are separate and positioned in the upper third, in white, and along the bottom edge, in black, held within blue insets. All set against a white background. image: photograph of...
Air Raid Shelters at Night
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1940-01-12
whole: the two images are positioned in the centre left and lower right. The title and text are separate and positioned across the majority, in white. All set against a blue background. image: two lanterns, surrounded by haloes of light. text: City of...
In an Air Raid...If you are Out of Doors
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the two images are positioned in the centre right and lower right. The title is separate and placed in the upper quarter, in white, and in black held within a white inset. The text is separate and located in the centre left and lower left, in...
In an Air Raid...What Motorists Must Do
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the two images are positioned in the centre right and lower right. The title is separate and placed in the upper quarter, in white, and in black held within a white inset. The text is separate and located in the centre left and lower left, in...
In an Air Raid...If You Are Caught in the Street
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the two images are positioned in the centre right and lower right, each held within a narrow black border. The title is separate and placed in the upper quarter, in white outlined black, and in black held within a white inset. The text is separate...
In an Air Raid...How to Fight a Fire
(posters) Made by: Unknown 1939
whole: the two images are positioned in the centre right and lower right. The title is separate and placed in the upper quarter, in white, and in black held within a white inset. The text is separate and located in the centre left and lower left, in...