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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Collections search

Back Them Up!
(posters) Made by: F A A (artist) 1940
whole: the image is positioned in the upper three-quarters. The title is separate and placed in the lower quarter, in blue. All set against a yellow background. image: a depiction of a British warship at sea firing her guns. Two more warships are visible...
Don't Help the Enemy!
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1939
whole: the image is positioned in the upper centre, with the title and text separate and placed in the lower three- quarters, in white. All set against a blue background. image: a plain white sovereign's crown. text: DON'T HELP THE ENEMY! CARELESS TALK...
The Navy's Work in Photographs
(posters) Made by: Ministry of Information (publisher/sponsor)
whole: the title and text are positioned across the whole, in blue and in red, set against a white background. image: text only. text: THE NAVY'S WORK IN PHOTOGRAPHS See the SPLENDID EXHIBITION at THE MUSEUM and ART GALLERY, PLYMOUTH ADMISSION FREE....
Exhibition of Battle Photographs in Colour
(posters) Made by: Ministry of Information (publisher/sponsor) 1918
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in black, set against a white background. image: text only. text: MAPPIN ART GALLERY, SHEFFIELD. EXHIBITION OF BATTLE PHOTOGRAPHS IN COLOUR From the Ministry of Information, depicting Scenes and Incidents on...
National Day of Prayer
(posters) Made by: Ministry of Information (publisher/sponsor) 1939
whole: blue text is set over a plain white background and held within a narrow blue border image: text only. text: National Day of Prayer 'PUT YOUR TRUST IN GOD, AS I DO' His Majesty the King ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND PRINTED FOR H.M....
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...
Film Show including - Man Wounded and Cowboy
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
No description available
Film Show including - Up Periscope! and Report from China
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1943
No description available
Film Show including - Danger Area and A.B.C.A.
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1943
No description available