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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Ministry of Information Bulletin
(posters) Made by: Ministry of Information (publisher/sponsor) 1941
whole: the image and main text, in blue cursive script, occupy the majority. The title is separate and positioned in the upper quarter, in white, set against a red background. Further text is separate and placed down the right edge, in white against a...
Dit is Jodewin
(posters) Made by: D C (artist) 1943
whole: the image occupies the majority, with the title partially integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in grey and in black. The text is partially integrated and placed in the lower left, in orange, and in white outlined orange, and across the...
More of Our Engines Mean More Landings
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1943-10
whole: the image occupies the majority, with a smaller image positioned in the upper right. The title is separate and placed in the lower quarter, in white and in blue. The text is partially integrated and located in the upper quarter, in black and in...
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...
Sy Hoogedele Winston S Churchill
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the image occupies the majority. The title and text are separate and positioned across the bottom edge, in black, set against a white background. image: a three-quarter length portrait of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. He stands on the...
Come Then - Let Us to the Task
(posters) Made by: Unknown
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...
Your Recreation Huts in Action
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the three images are positioned in the lower three-quarters, each held within a narrow black border. The title is separate and positioned in the upper quarter, in black. The main text is separate and placed in the lower three-quarters, also in...
'May the many owe much to these few', 4 October 1940
(art) Made by: Illingworth, Leslie Gilbert 1940-10-04
image: A line-up of a fully equipped "fighter crew" made up of the British War Cabinet from the Second World War. They stand beside an aeroplane, inspected by Winston Churchill smoking his hallmark cigar.
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...
Come Then - Let Us to the Task
(posters) Made by: Unknown
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...