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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WITH BRITAIN'S MONSTER GUNS IN ACTION [Main Title]
(film) Made by: British Topical Committee for War Films (Production company) 1918
Compilation film of heavy British guns on the Western Front, 1916-1918.
SCENES IN BRUSSELS [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1918
The state entry of the King and Queen of Belgium into Brussels, 22nd November 1918.
GERMAN OFFENSIVE 13 [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1918
I. British troops in and near Amiens in the Somme area, Western Front, in the first days of May 1918.
HAIG AND HIS ARMY COMMANDERS ON 11TH NOVEMBER 1918 [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1918
Events in Field Marshal Haig's day, 11 November 1918.
THE KING'S VISIT TO FRANCE AUGUST 1918 [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1918
Patchy review of King George V's visit to the Western Front, August 1918.
COLONIAL PRESSMEN [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor) 1918
Unedited British record of leading journalists of the Dominions of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa visiting the British zone of the Western Front, September 1918.
SCENES IN CAMBRAI 2 [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1918
Cambrai after its liberation, including a visit by Field Marshal Haig and Prime Minister Clémenceau, Western Front, probably 9th October 1918.
ROYAL TOUR OF THE KING OVER FRANCE [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1918
King George V's visit to the British Army in France and Belgium, 1st-9th December 1918.