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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WEST INDIANS IN BRITAIN DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
West Indian Labour Force in Britain: The Chairman of Merseyside Labour Supply Committee greets a party of Jamaican technicians on behalf of the Minister of Labour.
WEST INDIANS IN BRITAIN DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
West Indian Labour Force in Britain: A group of Jamaican technicians, who had recently arrived in Britain, leave buses outside West India House.
WEST INDIANS IN BRITAIN DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
West Indian aid to Britain: The people of Jamaica supply a Crusader tank to Britain: Lieutenant Colonel Yeo (left, from the War Office) and Major General J S Crawford (Deputy Director General of Fighting Vehicle Production) at the hand-over of the tank...
JAMAICAN TECHNICIANS ARRIVE IN BRITAIN, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Jamaican technicians, newly-arrived in Britain, enjoy a game of cards in their hostel. They have travelled to Britain to train and work in various factories in Merseyside.
JAMAICAN TECHNICIANS ARRIVE IN BRITAIN, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Jamaican technicians, newly-arrived in Britain, read magazines and write letters home as they relax in their dormitory. They have travelled to Britain to train and work in various factories in Merseyside.
JAMAICAN TECHNICIANS ARRIVE IN BRITAIN, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A group of Jamaican technicians, newly-arrived in Britain, sit in armchairs and read newspapers and magazines in the lounge at West India House. On the coffee table can be seen a copy of 'The Manchester Guardian Weekly'. They have travelled to Britain...
JAMAICAN TECHNICIANS ARRIVE IN BRITAIN, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Jamaican technicians, newly-arrived in Britain, enjoy lunch at West India House. They have travelled to Britain to train and work in various factories in Merseyside.
JAMAICAN TECHNICIANS ARRIVE IN BRITAIN, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Jamaican electricians, newly-arrived in Britain, register for employment. Standing, third from left, is Alderman C McVey, Chairman of the Merseyside Labour Supply Committee, who has come to greet the technicians on behalf of the Minister of Labour.
JAMAICAN TECHNICIANS ARRIVE IN BRITAIN, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Jamaican technicians, newly-arrived in Britain, enjoy a game of billiards in their hostel. They have travelled to Britain to train and work in various factories in Merseyside.
JAMAICAN TECHNICIANS ARRIVE IN BRITAIN, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A group of Jamaican technicians smile from the window of their railway carriage as they arrive in Britain to train and work in various factories in Merseyside.