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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Renew Weekly Season Ticket on Way Home
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper two-thirds. The title is integrated and positioned across the centre, in red. The main text is integrated and placed in the upper two-thirds, in black and in black cursive script. Further text is separate and located...
Staggering Results
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the three images are positioned in the lower three-quarters, set against a yellow background. The title is separate and placed in the upper quarter, in white and yellow, set against a blue background. The main text is integrated and located in the...
Cheap Day Tickets to London
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the title and main text occupy the majority, in black, set against a white background, and held within an orange decorative border. Further text is placed in the lower quarter, in white and ornage. image: text only. text: CHEAP DAY TICKETS TO...
Steering London Through Daylight and Blackout - Faithfully
(posters) Made by: Fitton, James (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set against a blue and yellow background. The title is separate and positioned in the lower quarter, in white, set against a black background. The text is integrated and placed in the upper centre, in...
Linking Home and Factory - Turning the Wheels of War
(posters) Made by: Fitton, James (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set against a blue background. The title is separate and positioned in the lower quarter, in white, set against a black background. The text is integrated and placed in the centre left, in white. The...
Rubber is Precious - Travel Only When You Must
(posters) Made by: Fitton, James (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set against a blue and green background. The title is separate and positioned in the lower quarter, in red, set against a green background. The text is integrated and placed in the centre, in white. The...
Stop and Let Your Eyes Get Used to it
(posters) Made by: Fitton, James (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the upper half, set against a blue background. The title is separate and placed in the lower half, in red. The text is separate and located in the lower half, in black. The title and text are set against a yellow...
Staff
(posters) Made by: Fitton, James (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority. The title is separate and positioned across the top edge, in red. The main text is separate and located in the upper quarter and lower quarter, in black. Further text is integrated and positioned across the centre...
Ten Million Passengers a Day
(posters) Made by: Fitton, James (artist)
whole: the image occupies the whole. The title is integrated and positioned in the centre, in blue outlined white. The text is integrated and placed in the lower quarter and upper centre, in white. The emblem of London Transport is positioned in the...
It's Dangerous to Flag a Bus with Your Torch
(posters) Made by: Fitton, James (artist) 1941-11
whole: the image occupies the upper two-thirds, set against a purple background. The title is separate and located in the lower third, in yellow, set against a blue background. The London Transport logo is located in the lower centre. image: a night-time...