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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BUTTERFLY BOMB [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Birt, Louise (Production individual) 1944
Short instructional film telling how to deal with anti-personnel bombs.
TOWARDS THE OFFENSIVE [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Air Ministry (Production sponsor) 1943
After opening with a voice (probably US President Franklin D Roosevelt) promising imminent offensive operations, the film shows 'round the clock' preparations for the offensive, especially in the air.
You Never Know Who's Listening - Careless Talk Costs Lives
(posters) Made by: Fougasse (artist)
PST 0142 is the same design in a smaller format
Freedom Shall Prevail!
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
image: Soldiers from the Allied countries line up on either side of a 'V' for Victory constructed from the flags of the corresponding nations. The nations are: Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Southern Rhodesia, Newfoundland, South Africa, India...
WILLING HANDS [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Carr, James (Production individual) 1944-10
The work of the WVS at a fairly late stage in the war.
The Empire's Strength - Do you know that the Colonies
(posters) Made by: Ministry of Information (publisher/sponsor) 1939
image: A worker in the foreground tapping a rubber tree. Two other workers are shown tapping trees in the background on either side of the image. text: The Empire's Strength. DO YOU KNOW THAT THE COLONIES produce over half the world's rubber and a third...
FOOD FROM THE EMPIRE [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Merton Park Studios (Production company) 1940
Film showing the food contributions supplied to Britain by various colonies and dominions.
NIGHT AND DAY [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Oswald, H E (Production individual) 1945
An impression of a typical day of the continuous "arduous, often monotonous work" of the men of 311 Squadron, Coastal Command (Czechoslovak Air Force).