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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WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Munitions production: Production at some factories was hit by war-time bombing. On 3 March 1945 a rocket bomb made a direct hit on the Dunlop Rubber Company at Edmonton in north London. This started a fire which burnt down buildings where clothing for...
WAR INDUSTRY: SALVAGED TIMBER, UK, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A general view of a large warehouse, somewhere in Britain, showing piles of salvaged timber being stored for future re-use.
WAR INDUSTRY: SALVAGED TIMBER, UK, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A busy scene at a depot for salvaged timber, somewhere in Britain, as a truck load of timber is delivered.
WAR INDUSTRY: SALVAGED TIMBER, UK, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Women war workers remove nails from salvaged timber at a workshop, somewhere in Britain, in order that the timber can be reused.
SALVAGE IN WARTIME BRITAIN: BOY SCOUTS VISIT A PAPER MILL, UK, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A group of Boy Scouts from Eton College enjoy afternoon tea in the canteen during their visit to a paper mill, somewhere in Britain. Members of the Boy Scout Movement played a huge part in the paper salvage campaigns across the country during the War....
SALVAGE IN WARTIME BRITAIN: BOY SCOUTS VISIT A PAPER MILL, UK, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A group of Boy Scouts from Eton College examine the pulping machine during their visit to a paper mill, somewhere in Britain. Members of the Boy Scout Movement played a huge part in the paper salvage campaigns across the country during the War.
SALVAGE IN WARTIME BRITAIN: BOY SCOUTS VISIT A PAPER MILL, UK, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A group of Boy Scouts from Eton College examine a pile of boards which have been made from waste paper during their visit to a paper mill, somewhere in Britain. Members of the Boy Scout Movement played a huge part in the paper salvage campaigns across...
SALVAGE IN WARTIME BRITAIN: BOY SCOUTS VISIT A PAPER MILL, UK, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A group of Boy Scouts from Eton College walk between piles of salvaged materials during their visit to a paper mill, somewhere in Britain. Members of the Boy Scout Movement played a huge part in the paper salvage campaigns across the country during the...
SALVAGE IN WARTIME BRITAIN: BOY SCOUTS VISIT A PAPER MILL, UK, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A group of Boy Scouts from Eton College are shown cartridge wads during their visit to a paper mill, somewhere in Britain. Members of the Boy Scout Movement played a huge part in the paper salvage campaigns across the country during the War.
SALVAGING MATERIAL FROM THE WRECKAGE OF A BOMB DAMAGED FACTORY, c 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
War workers push a trolley load of timber poles which they have salvaged from the remains of a bombed out factory across a yard, somewhere in Britain. Behind them can be seen other workers gathering materials and the twisted remnants of the factory...