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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Gasometer in Déliverande: Series of sketches for work in IWM
(art) Made by: Richards, Albert
image: A view of the base of a gasometer with ladders mounted on its side. In the foreground there are a number of pipes, taps and valves.
Conveyor Belt: Series of sketches for work in IWM
(art) Made by: Richards, Albert
image: A sketch of a conveyor belt next to a pylon.
Sketch: Series of sketches for work in IWM
(art) Made by: Richards, Albert
image: A sketch of the French landscape with a damaged fence running across the composition.
Scissus. St Aubin - Benouville Road: Series of sketches for work in IWM
(art) Made by: Richards, Albert
image: A very loose sketch of a canopy erected amongst some greenery.
Corpse: Series of sketches for work in IWM
(art) Made by: Richards, Albert
image: A soldier's body lying on the ground, surrounded by debris. He is lying on his back with eyes open.
Caen: Series of sketches for work in IWM
(art) Made by: Richards, Albert
image: A street in Caen with rolls of barbed wire in front of the houses. There is a red and white stipped flag with a blue diamond in the centre in the lower right corner of the page.
La Délivrande: Series of sketches for work in IWM
(art) Made by: Richards, Albert
image: A view of a path running along a river bank towards some houses and a windmill surrounded by trees, clustered at the point where the river curves to the right.
Roadside Workers: Series of sketches for work in IWM
(art) Made by: Richards, Albert
image: One figure stands in the foreground holding something in the air. A second stands behind him and appears to be digging at a roadside.
La Délivrande Bypass: Series of sketches for work in IWM
(art) Made by: Richards, Albert
image: A small steamroller parked on the side of a path running passed a walled garden. Further along the path there are two figures are walking away from the artist, past a row of ambulances.
La Déliverande: Series of sketches for work in IWM
(art) Made by: Richards, Albert
image: A flat landscape with dramatic plumes of smoke rising into the sky.