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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Brownlee Printing Co Ltd - British War Artists Postcards
part of "Subject files" (war artist archive) Made by: Ministry of Information 1940-11-07
Correspondence regarding Brownlee's requests to reproduce war artists pictures. Includes a set of the postcards by the artists indexed below.
Proposal by Messrs John Murray to Produce a book by Mr Edward Ardizzone
part of "Subject files" (war artist archive) Made by: Ministry of Information 1940-07-04
This publication was proposed to the WAAC in July 1940, by Noel Carrington of John Murray's, after seeing some of Ardizzone's drawings in one of the National Gallery shows. Ardizzone declared himself to be uncertain about writing the text. The file...
Royalties. John Murray (Book produced by Mr Ardizzone 'Baggage to the Enemy')
part of "Subject files" (war artist archive) Made by: Ministry of Information 1943-12-31
Statements and related papers regarding the receipt of royalties on the sales of Edward Ardizzone's book 'Baggage to the Enemy' (John Murray, 1941).
Reproduction of War Artists Pictures for Canteens
part of "Subject files" (war artist archive) Made by: Ministry of Information 1941-02-27
It was proposed to produce lithographs of certain war pictures for sale at cost price to canteens. The images were to be printed by the Baynard Press and sold through the National Gallery. The four images were: * Stanley Spencer - 'Burners' * Paul Nash...
Loans to the Churchill Club
part of "Subject files" (war artist archive) Made by: Ministry of Information 1943-09-26
Correspondence regarding loans of pictures for exhibition at the Churchill Club, at the request of Jane (Lady) Clark. The loans included both mixed and solo exhibitions, including Edward Ardizzone.
Pictures on Loan to the War Office
part of "Subject files" (war artist archive) Made by: Ministry of Information 1942-01-31
Papers regarding loans of pictures to decorate canteens and other locations at the War Office, and their return after the war. There is also reference to Ardizzone's wall decoration for the canteen in the Montague House annexe.
War Artists Biographical Material
part of "Subject files" (war artist archive) Made by: Ministry of Information 1940-01-01
This file comprises letters and related papers from artists, giving biographical information. The artists are indexed below. Also some related papers, regarding the collating of the information, and some biographical summaries produced by the WAAC.
Edward Bawden 1944-1948
part of "Edward Bawden" (war artists archive) Made by: Ministry of Information 1944-01-04
Continuation of previous file, with Bawden's regular, detailed accounts of his activities, and, often, details of works. The first letter concerns the projected exhibition in Baghdad of some of his drawings. He discusses the anti-locust expedition...