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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Exhibition - Other Peoples' Jobs
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
No description available
Black Diamonds - Exhibition
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
No description available
COALMINER [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Strand (Production company) 1943-09
An impression of the world of Charles Jones, a miner in the Rhondda Valley.
THE MAGICIAN [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Paul Rotha Productions (Production company) 1942
Second World War Ministry of Information newsreel trailer advocating fuel economy.
NERO [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor) 1943
Second World War British Ministry of Information newsreel trailer encouraging people not to waste fuel.
COLD COMFORT [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Halas, John (Production individual) 1944
Second World War British Ministry of Information animated cartoon newsreel trailer encouraging people to save fuel.
THE CONJUROR [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Merton Park Studios (Production company) 1944
Second World War British Ministry of Information newsreel trailer using a stage magician to encourage people to save fuel.
GET THE COKE HABIT [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor) 1943
Second World War British Ministry of Information newsreel trailer advising people to use coke and anthracite in order to save coal.
BLACK DIAMONDS [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Verity (Production company) 1943
Second World War British Ministry of Information newsreel trailer warning people not to waste coal
EYES ON TARGET [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor) 1942
Second World War British Ministry of Information newsreel trailer reminding the public of the need for fuel economy.