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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Train to be a Nurse
(posters) Made by: Rix (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the lower four-fifths. The title is partially integrated and located in the upper fifth, in orange and in blue. The text is separate and placed along the bottom edge, in blue. The title and text are set against a dark...
An Escalator in an Underground Factory
(art) Made by: Dobson, Frank (RA) 1944
image: crowds of women factory workers in white overalls descend an escalator. A figure with a bicycle goes up the escalator on the other side.
Land Drainage: Overtime
(art) Made by: Casson, Bernard
image: a rural scene with women of the Women's Land Army working on land drainage. Four cranes are being used to create and maintain a series of drainage ditches filled with water. One of these cranes to the left has sunk into a water-logged patch of...
WAR INDUSTRY: STEN GUN PRODUCTION, UK, c 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Mrs Wardle makes Sten gun parts at an ordnance factory somewhere in Britain.
WAR INDUSTRY: STEN GUN PRODUCTION, UK, c 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Mrs Penny Ferringer wears protective goggles as she works on a grinder at an ordnance factory, somewhere in Britain.
Machines in an Underground Factory
(art) Made by: Dobson, Frank (RA) 1944
image: the interior of a room of a factory situated in the London underground system. Machinery is placed on either side of the room, particularly prominent in the right foreground. Three women are working at machinery, with their backs to the viewer in...
Blood Transfusion: Filtering Serum
(art) Made by: Gibbs, Evelyn 1943
image: a woman in a gown and mask, with her back to the viewer, is seated in front of medical equipment set up on a bench. She is filling a plasma bottle, and more bottles stand in a crate to her right.
WOMEN'S LAND ARMY
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR PRESS AGENCY PRINT COLLECTION"
Land girls in the courtyard of Arundel Castel listening to an address by the Duke of Norfolk. The Women's Land Army were entertained by the Duke of Norfolk, England's Premier Duke, who opened the courtyard and grounds of historic Arundel Castle for a big...
SHE MARRIED HER BOSS: ROMANCE OF SUSSEX LAND-GIRL AND FARMER
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR PRESS AGENCY PRINT COLLECTION"
The Bride and Bridegroom leaving Chalvington Church after their wedding through the Land-Girl Guard of Honour. Miss Gladys Dunning came from South Africa some time ago and settled down in Hastings. Then the war started and she decided that her place in...
WOMEN'S LAND ARMY
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR PRESS AGENCY PRINT COLLECTION"
Land Girls resting on the terrace of the School of Agriculture. Land Girls are trained at the East Sussex County Council School of Agriculture, Plumpton, Sussex. They have a four week's course, after which they go on various farms.