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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George Medal & GM
(decorations and awards) Made by: Royal Mint 1944
George Medal - London Gazette 15 February 1944 page 789. See Files. Robert Selby Armitage 28 March 1910-1 June 1982
Dickin medal
(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. The Dickin Medal was an award originated by Mrs Dickin, founder of the animal charity, the PDSA -The People's...
Defence Medal (1939-1945)
(decorations and awards) Made by: Royal Mint
Second World War campaign medal awarded to Group Captain G L Cheshire. For recipient's full biographical details see OMD 3700. One of a bar of 10 medals, OMD 3700-3709.
steel helmet, Mk1, Casualty Incident Officer, ARP
(uniforms and insignia) 1939-01
The Reverend Wilfred John Jenkins served as a Casualty Incident Officer in Bath during the Second World War
Defence Medal (1939-1945)
(decorations and awards)
see also medals of recipient's brother W J Smith. Received via DOCS
Defence Medal (1939-1945)
(decorations and awards)
medal and ribbon (see) MODEL OMD 290
medal
(decorations and awards) Made by: Royal Mint
Lieutenant ( later Major) Edward Womersley Reynolds GC RE. (27 June 1917-16 December 1955). London Gazette (no 34947 page 5537). 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following Awards: - The Medal of the Military Division of the Most...
medal
(decorations and awards) Made by: Royal Mint
George Cross awarded to Mr Thomas Hopper Alderson, Detachment Leader, Heavy Rescue Party, Air Raid Precautions Services, Bridlington, Yorkshire. Alderson's was the first George Cross to be 'Gazetted' following the institution of the award on 30 September...