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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STUDENT NURSE: LIFE AT ST HELIER HOSPITAL, CARSHALTON, SURREY, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A full length portrait of Joyce Collier wearing the outdoor uniform of a State Registered Nurse, outside St Helier Hospital, Carshalton.
STUDENT NURSE: LIFE AT ST HELIER HOSPITAL, CARSHALTON, SURREY, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A full length portrait of Joyce Collier showing the indoor uniform of a State Registered Nurse, at St Helier Hospital, Carshalton.
STUDENT NURSE: LIFE AT ST HELIER HOSPITAL, CARSHALTON, SURREY, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Student nurses Joyce Collier and Madge Ellwood arrive at St Helier Hospital, Carshalton, to begin their training. They are greeted in the entrance hall by Sister Reed.
STUDENT NURSE: LIFE AT ST HELIER HOSPITAL, CARSHALTON, SURREY, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Student nurse Joyce Collier signs for her keys, given to her by Sister Reed at St Helier Hospital. Each student-nurse had three keys - one for the door of her room, one for her wardrobe and one for her wall safe. According to the original caption,...
STUDENT NURSE: LIFE AT ST HELIER HOSPITAL, CARSHALTON, SURREY, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A view of student nurses at work in the 'model ward' of the Preliminary, where they "accustom themselves to the atmosphere of the hospital, acquire hospital etiquette, and practice bandaging". Some nurses try out their bandaging skills on each other,...
STUDENT NURSE: LIFE AT ST HELIER HOSPITAL, CARSHALTON, SURREY, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Student nurse Joyce Collier hands the surgeon a pair of forceps during an operation to remove a patient's appendix in the Operating Theatre at St Helier Hospital. Both wear rubber gloves and masks, which consist of four layers of linen.
STUDENT NURSE: LIFE AT ST HELIER HOSPITAL, CARSHALTON, SURREY, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Under the glare of the bright theatre light, student nurse Joyce Collier (left) assists a surgeon during an operation to remove a patient's appendix. Joyce hands the surgeon each instrument as required and is responsible for all the instruments at the...
DOMESTIC WORK IN HOSPITALS, ST HELIER HOSPITAL, CARSHALTON, SURREY, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A cook prepares steak and kidney puddings for patients in the hospital kitchen at St Helier Hospital, Carshalton. The original caption is keen to emphasise that although quantity is needed, quality is in no way compromised and the cook takes 'meticulous...
DOMESTIC WORK IN HOSPITALS, ST HELIER HOSPITAL, CARSHALTON, SURREY, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A wide view of the large kitchens at St Helier Hospital, Carshalton. In the foreground, a kitchen maid operates a large vegetable mincer and in the background, another cook stirs a huge vat of stew.
STUDENT NURSE: LIFE AT ST HELIER HOSPITAL, CARSHALTON, SURREY, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Sheets, pillows, overalls and curtains are repaired by a team of women sitting at sewing machines in the laundry attached to St Helier Hospital, Carshalton. It is essential that linens are clean and plentiful, as they are in constant use in a hospital.