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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WALES - GREEN MOUNTAIN, BLACK MOUNTAIN [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Mathieson, Muir (Production individual) 1942
An impressionistic survey, scripted by Dylan Thomas, of Wales at war.
I WAS A FIREMAN [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Cameron, Ken (Production individual) 1943-04
A dramatised documentary reconstruction of the work of London's firefighting services in "the bitter days of winter and spring 1940/41" - before the organisation of the National Fire Service.
WAR IN THE AIR NO 3 - FIFTY NORTH [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Mathieson, Muir (Production individual) 1954
Third film in a series showing the story of air power and its impact on the world. This episode illustrates the defence of the Western oceans.
SOLDIER, SAILOR [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Carrick, Edward (Production individual) 1945
Drama revolving around a convoy "guarded by gun crews of the DEMS (Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships) - sailors of the Royal Navy and Soldiers of the Maritime Royal Artillery [who] sail together under Admiralty Control".
THE NEW BRITAIN [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Mathieson, Muir (Production individual) 1940-10
Presents the Britain of the years following the First World War as a kind of terrestrial paradise in the making ("a future that was to be happier day after day") marred by only one mistake ("we forgot Germany") which has led to the renewal of war.
NIGHT WATCH [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Mathieson, Muir (Production individual) 1941
Dramatised vignette praising the vigilance of ARP wardens.
A SONG OF THANKSGIVING [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Laurie, John (Production cast) 1946
Short patriotric film about how the people of Britain successfully defended themselves during the Second World War.