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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Learn How to Keep Fighting Fit - An Exhibition On Your Health
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
No description available
HEALTH IN WAR [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Cameron, Ken (Production individual) 1940-11
Takes the opportunity of a simple explanation of the wartime changes in public health policy to make some mild propaganda.
LIVING WITH STRANGERS [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Realist (Production company) 1941-07
Consideration of the social problems arising out of evacuation.
BLOOD TRANSFUSION [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Paul Rotha Productions (Production company) 1941
Documentary on blood transfusion, made with the cooperation of the Medical Research Council and the Blood Transfusion Units of Britain's fighting services.
DIPHTHERIA V [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Strand (Production company) 1944
Second World War British Ministry of Information newsreel trailer reminding parents of the benefits of having their children immunised against diphtheria.
DIPHTHERIA VI [Main Title]
(film) Made by: W M Larkins and Company (Production company) 1943
Second World War British Ministry of Information newsreel trailer warning mothers of the deadly consequences of their child contracting diphtheria and stressing the need for immunisation.
DEFEAT TUBERCULOSIS (1942 version) [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Seven League (Production company) 1942
In explaining that tuberculosis can be cured if treated early enough, the film appeals for awareness of the real nature of the 'threat' of the disease.
FIRST AID POST [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Searle, Francis A (Production individual) 1942
An instructional film illustrating the functions of a First Aid Post, the correct administrative techniques and the procedure for receiving different types of casualty.
CIVIL DEFENCE AMBULANCE [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Searle, Francis A (Production individual) 1942
An instructional film on correct administrative routine at CD ambulance stations and procedure when on duty in a raid, in the form of a 'day in the life' of a typical station including a full-scale practice alert.
FIRST AID ON THE SPOT [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Searle, Francis A (Production individual) 1943
A mobile first aid unit staffed by nurses prepares for action. In a typical enemy action incident, immediate action to stop casualties bleeding is taken by workers on the spot. The mobile first aid unit arrive having first collected a doctor and deal...