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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AMERICANS IN BRITAIN, 1942 - 1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Off Duty: A group of United States soldiers taking a nine week course at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, listen to a lecture given by the famous actress Miss Flora Robson (not pictured).
AMERICANS IN BRITAIN, 1942 - 1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Black GIs in Britain: Two black soldiers working in the supply depot of a United States Army camp.
AMERICANS IN BRITAIN, 1942 - 1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Off Duty: United States troops take tea with the rector and his wife on the vicarage lawn, with Burton Bradstock church in the background.
AMERICANS IN BRITAIN, 1942 - 1945
part of "AMERICAN (US) EMBASSY SECOND WORLD WAR PHOTOGRAPH LIBRARY: CLASSIFIED PRINT COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: United States Army Signal Corps photographer
United States troops arrive in England: members of the US Signal Corps enjoy coffee and doughnuts served by the Red Cross on a train which is carrying them to their base after their arrival in Britain.
AMERICANS IN BRITAIN, 1942 - 1945
part of "AMERICAN (US) EMBASSY SECOND WORLD WAR PHOTOGRAPH LIBRARY: CLASSIFIED PRINT COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: United States Army Signal Corps photographer
Black GIs in Britain: An exception to the general rule, a mixed team of black and white United States soldiers play American football.
AMERICANS IN BRITAIN, 1942 - 1945
part of "AMERICAN (US) EMBASSY SECOND WORLD WAR PHOTOGRAPH LIBRARY: CLASSIFIED PRINT COLLECTION" (photographs)
The United States Army in Britain: United States troops in Britain receive final training in realistic battle conditions. Silhouetted against the sky, a 500-caliber anti-aircraft machine gun of an M-4 tank being manned by United States troops.
AMERICANS IN BRITAIN, 1942 - 1945
part of "AMERICAN (US) EMBASSY SECOND WORLD WAR PHOTOGRAPH LIBRARY: CLASSIFIED PRINT COLLECTION" (photographs)
The United States Army in Britain: Members of the United States Medical Corps examine and dress a wounded soldier inside the camouflaged hole which is the collecting unit's headquarters. The photograph was taken during a Medical Corps practice evacuation...
AMERICANS IN BRITAIN, 1942 - 1945
part of "AMERICAN (US) EMBASSY SECOND WORLD WAR PHOTOGRAPH LIBRARY: CLASSIFIED PRINT COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: US Official photographer
The United States Army in Britain: United States soldiers in Britain attend a class in tank identification. Using model tanks the soldiers, from Pennsylvania, practise quick identification.
AMERICANS IN BRITAIN, 1942 - 1945
part of "AMERICAN (US) EMBASSY SECOND WORLD WAR PHOTOGRAPH LIBRARY: CLASSIFIED PRINT COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: United States Army Signal Corps photographer
Arriving: Americans en route to Northern Ireland. US soldiers and Army nurses are shown on the deck of the ship bringing them to Britain.
AMERICANS IN BRITAIN, 1942 - 1945
part of "AMERICAN (US) EMBASSY SECOND WORLD WAR PHOTOGRAPH LIBRARY: CLASSIFIED PRINT COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: United States Army Signal Corps photographer
Women in the United States Forces in Britain: United States Army nurses arrive in England. Helmeted, wearing full field dress and carrying their kit and one day's K rations, US nurses leave their transport ship in England after crossing the Atlantic.