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

Hand scythe, Women's Land Army
(equipment)
Scythe used by Margaret Scanlon when she was serving in the Women's Land Army during the Second World War.
Wireless Equipment, HRO Receiver, American
(equipment) Made by: National Company 1939
Mr Stanley ('Stan') Martin was a Voluntary Interceptor of the Radio Security Service , a secret organisation originally run by MI5 during the Second World War. The RSS, among other duties, monitored German agents transmitting from Great Britain, and...
truncheon, Home Guard
(weapons and ammunition)
This lead-weighted wooden truncheon was issued to 55th County of Lancaster Battalion Home Guard. It was evidently used while mounting guard at Manchester Collieries Ltd of Walkden. A shortage of firearms meant that many improvised weapons were employed...
location sign, WVS Incident Enquiry Point
(equipment)
sign rectangular metal sign lettered & edged in red on white ground
cap badge, National Fire Service.
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: M
The anodised nature of the badge suggests post War or very late Second World War.
Scotch Broth, tin, Fray Bentos
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Second World War tin of Fray Bentos Sctoch Broth collected by the donor's mother. Weekly ration of basic foodstuffs for an adult in 1943 in 1943: 1lb (450g) meat, 4oz (100g) bacon and ham, 3oz (75g) cheese, 1 egg, 2oz (50g) cooking fat, 2oz (50g) butter...
badge, civilian, Great Western Railway worker
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: Fattorini & Sons Ltd , Birmingham
Blue enamel strip along the centre of the oval shaped badge. Above the band is an embossed locomotive.
Scotch Broth, tin, Fray Bentos
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Second World War tin of Fray Bentos Sctoch Broth collected by the donor's mother. Weekly ration of basic foodstuffs for an adult in 1943 in 1943: 1lb (450g) meat, 4oz (100g) bacon and ham, 3oz (75g) cheese, 1 egg, 2oz (50g) cooking fat, 2oz (50g) butter...
badge, People's Dispensary for Sick Animals
(souvenirs and ephemera)
'Rex' was awarded the Dickin medal on 25 April 1945 for outstanding bravery in rescuing bomb victims, by finding them beneath debris.
Respirator, Anti-Gas, Civilian Duty (Queen Mary)
(equipment)
This example of the Civilian Duty respirator was owned by HRH Queen Mary. While the standard civilian issue respirator was adequate for widespread general use, the Civilian Duty model was of a more robust design and intended to be employed by those in...