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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Ministry of Information Bulletin
(posters) Made by: Ministry of Information (publisher/sponsor) 1941
whole: the image and main text, in blue cursive script, occupy the majority. The title is separate and positioned in the upper quarter, in white, set against a red background. Further text is separate and placed down the right edge, in white against a...
DESERT VICTORY [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Anderson, G (Production individual) 1943-03-06
Film of the battle of El Alamein.
Come Then - Let Us to the Task
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1940
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in red and black, set against a white background. All held within a decorative black border of stylised waves, featuring anchors, compasses and other nautical imagery. image: text only. text: COME THEN LET US...
Come Then - Let Us to the Task
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1941
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in red and black, set against a white background. All held within a decorative black border of stylised waves, featuring anchors, compasses and other nautical imagery. image: text only. text: COME THEN LET US...
PRELUDE IN AFRICA (ledger title) [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor) 1943
Roughly-edited film apparently relating to the closing stages of the Allied North African campaign of 1942-43.
WORDS FOR BATTLE [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor) 1941-04
Laurence Olivier reads extracts from patriotic and inspirational prose and poetry against an illustrative montage of film.
GAUMONT BRITISH NEWS ISSUE 797: Mr Churchill returns to Britain [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Gaumont British News (Production company) 1941-08-20
The return of Winston Churchill (WSC) from the 'Atlantic Charter' meeting with Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1941.
BRITAIN AT BAY [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Addinsell, Richard (Production individual) 1940-08
An inspirational film produced immediately after the fall of France, with commentary by J B Priestley.
BUILDING FOR VICTORY [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Pathe (Production company) 1941
A compilation of film of factory production of war material in Britain and throughout the Empire.
THE DAY THAT SAVED THE WORLD [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor) 1942-08
Looks back two years to the climax of the Battle of Britain on September 15, 1940.