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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Collections search

cap badge, National Fire Service.
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: M
The anodised nature of the badge suggests post War or very late Second World War.
Steel Helmet, Civilian pattern: Supplementary Fire Party
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: C C and S Limited 1941
The London Blitz of 1940 highlighted the inadequacies of the authorities to gain control. The ARP in all their forms were stretched to capacity, therefore when 1kg magnesium incendiary bombs crashed through roofs later to ignite undetected, the...
brassard, British, Civilian Evacuation Officer, London County Council
(uniforms and insignia) 1940
Donor worked as a teacher in Church Road School, Stoke Newington, London, before and during the Second World War, with periods spent accompanying parties of evacuees.
Trousers, civilian (Demob suit)
(uniforms and insignia)
When servicemen completed their period of war service they went to a demobilisation centre for processing where their uniform and personal kit was exchanged for a civilian style clothing, known as a 'demob suit'. The man had a choice of clothing and this...
Waistcoat, civilian (Demob suit)
(uniforms and insignia)
When servicemen completed their period of war service they went to a demobilisation centre for processing where their uniform and personal kit was exchanged for a civilian style clothing, known as a 'demob suit'. The man had a choice of clothing but this...
Jacket, civilian (Demob suit)
(uniforms and insignia)
When servicemen completed their period of war service they went to demobilisation centre for processing where their uniform and personal kit was exchanged for a civilian style clothing, known as a 'demob suit'. The man had a choice of clothing but this...
badge, civilian, Great Western Railway worker
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: Fattorini & Sons Ltd , Birmingham
Blue enamel strip along the centre of the oval shaped badge. Above the band is an embossed locomotive.
Coat (Wool Pile) ATS Teddy Bear Coat
(uniforms and insignia)
Second World War period overcoat of the type worn by members of the British Army's Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) - female personnel who worked the anti-aircraft artillery predictor ranging equipment and later, the searchlight sites, during cold...
badge, British, Women's Home Defence Force
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: Collins, London
Second World War, British Home Front, Women's Home Defence Force (WHD) badge. An unofficial organisation founded by Dr Edith Summerskill (nicknamed 'Flossie Bang Bang'), Labour MP for Fulham West, in December 1941. No uniform was worn just this enamel...
Utility Housecoat: women’s, civilian
(uniforms and insignia)
With the Nation's resources committed for a prolonged war, industry and food production were stretched and focused on the war effort. Feeding and clothing the civilian population therefore was achieved by strict government control, in the form of...