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

Royal Flying Corps
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: three photographic images are positioned centre right, centre left and lower centre, each held within narrow black borders. A further image is positioned upper centre. The title is separate and positioned across the top edge, in blue outlined...
Landscape with Flowering Trees, 1911-1912
(art) Made by: Rosenberg, Isaac 1911
image: A countryside scene with a village and a tree in the left foreground.
His Majesty's Army Special Reserve
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the title is positioned across the top, in red and blue. Four small images are placed upper left, upper right, lower left and lower right. The text is arranged down the centre in red and blue, with further text located along the foot of the design...
American Line
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1913
whole: the five images occupy the majority, held within a narrow black border. The title and text are integrated and positioned across the image, in black, in white outlined black, and in red outlined white. Further text is separate and placed along the...
Landscape with River, 1911-1912
(art) Made by: Rosenberg, Isaac 1911
image: A landscape with a river in the centre foreground and farm buildings in the background.
The Road, 1911
(art) Made by: Rosenberg, Isaac 1911
image: A view down a country road with hedges, tall trees and part of a low building in the left foreground.
Head of a Woman "Grey and Red", 1912
(art) Made by: Rosenberg, Isaac 1912
image: A head and shoulders portrait of a woman wearing red clothing.
Trees, 1912
(art) Made by: Rosenberg, Isaac 1912
image: People grouped underneath trees in the countryside.
Sea and Beach, 1910
(art) Made by: Rosenberg, Isaac 1910
image: A beach scene with a groyne and hills in the background.
The Fountain, 1911
(art) Made by: Rosenberg, Isaac 1911
image: A fountain in a park with trees.