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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WOMEN RUN A BOAT: LIFE ON BOARD THE CANAL BARGE 'HEATHER BELL', 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
After lunch, Mrs and Miss March relax in the doorway of their barge before beginning to unload their cargo of flour.
WOMEN RUN A BOAT: LIFE ON BOARD THE CANAL BARGE 'HEATHER BELL', 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Miss March helps to unload the cargo of flour by guiding the sack as it is pulled up into the warehouse. On the sacks are the words 'T S Townshend 2/ 6 Albion Flour Mill 1941 Worcester'.
WOMEN RUN A BOAT: LIFE ON BOARD THE CANAL BARGE 'HEATHER BELL', 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Before the flour is unloaded, Mrs March prepares the vegetables for lunch on board the 'HEATHER BELL'. She stands in the sunshine in the brightly-painted doorway of the barge to peel the potatoes, a basket of leeks and other vegetables beside her.
WOMEN RUN A BOAT: LIFE ON BOARD THE CANAL BARGE 'HEATHER BELL', 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Before the flour is unloaded, Mrs March prepares the vegetables for lunch on board the 'HEATHER BELL'. She stands in the sunshine in the doorway of the barge to peel the potatoes, a basket of leeks and other vegetables beside her.
WOMEN RUN A BOAT: LIFE ON BOARD THE CANAL BARGE 'HEATHER BELL', 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
On the roof deck of the 'HEATHER BELL', Miss March pours water from a brightly coloured can into the kettle to make a cup of tea.
WOMEN RUN A BOAT: LIFE ON BOARD THE CANAL BARGE 'HEATHER BELL', 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Mrs March prepares bread and butter on a pull-down table in the tiny cabin of the 'HEATHER BELL'. Behind her, horse brasses, cushions and a small vase of flowers brighten up the wooden barge interior.
WOMEN RUN A BOAT: LIFE ON BOARD THE CANAL BARGE 'HEATHER BELL', 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
On arriving at the warehouse where the barge is to be unloaded, Miss March stows the top strings which have kept the cloths near the flour in place during transit.
WOMEN RUN A BOAT: LIFE ON BOARD THE CANAL BARGE 'HEATHER BELL', 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
After a brief stop to remove a blockage from the propellor blades of the 'HEATHER BELL', Miss March pushes off from the back to send the barge on its way again.
WOMEN RUN A BOAT: LIFE ON BOARD THE CANAL BARGE 'HEATHER BELL', 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Miss March helps to unload the cargo of flour from her barge by holding the end of a rope on the other side of the pulley which the warehouse hand is using to haul the sack into the warehouse. On the sacks are the words 'T S Townshend 2/ 6 Albion Flour...
WOMEN RUN A BOAT: LIFE ON BOARD THE CANAL BARGE 'HEATHER BELL', 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
After unloading the barge, Miss March swings the 'HEATHER BELL' around in order to head downhill towards the collieries to collect a load of slack. They will probably be travelling away from Tipton Green on the Cotterill Colliery Branch of the...