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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WRNS [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Addinsell, Richard (Production individual) 1941-11
The work of the Women's Royal Naval Service, presented in the framework of the story of a Wren's first posting.
THE VOLUNTEER [Main Title]
(film) Made by: The Archers (Production company) 1943
Inspirational short drama telling the story of Fred Davey, Ralph Richardson's one-time dresser, who joins the Fleet Air Arm. His career is followed from the day he enters until the point where he finds himself responsible for the maintenance of a Seafire...
WRNS (ledger title) [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor) 1918
Work by members of the Women's Royal Naval Service at a Royal Navy coastal torpedo boat base on the south coast of England, probably 1917 or 1918.
CLYDE-BUILT [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Hughes, Ken (Production individual) 1943-09
Shipbuilding on the Clyde.
CORVETTES [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Luff, A H (Production individual) 1941-09
A 'Flower' class corvette in convoy-protection rôle, presented as typical of a new class of ships designed to counter the Nazi threat to British supplies.
WITH THE EYES OF THE NAVY [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor) 1918
RAF cooperation with the Royal Navy at the end of the First World War.
HM MOTOR LAUNCHES [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Gaumont British News (Production company) 1942-06
The construction and functions of Naval Motor Launches.
HM MINELAYER [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Carr, James (Production individual) 1941-09
An impression of the work of Minelayers, in the framework of the story of a 'typical' operation.
MEN FROM THE SEA [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Hughes, Ken (Production individual) 1943-08
Fictional 'case histories' are used to illustrate what follows a U-boat attack for the crews of damaged ships.
UP PERISCOPE [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Lee, Jack (Production individual) 1943
A shortened version of the feature length CLOSE QUARTERS, shot inside a submarine, using "officers and men of His Majesty's submarines."