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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Tidiness Prevents Accidents
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the whole, with the title integrated and positioned in the upper third, in white. The text is integrated and placed across the bottom edge, in black. image: the hand of a factory worker picking up a nut and bolt from the floor....
Start from Scratch
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the upper three-quarters. The title is separate and placed in the upper quarter, in red. The text is separate and located in the lower third, in red and in black. All set against a white background. image: a depiction of...
Be Wise ... Guard Your Eyes
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority, with the title separate and positioned in the upper left, in brown, and in the lower quarter, in orange and brown. All set against a white background. image: a depiction of an owl wearing safety goggles sitting...
Hands for the Defence of Britain!
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image is positioned around the edges of the upper half, with the title separate and positioned in the upper centre, in black. The image and title are set against a white background. The text is separate and positioned in the lower half, also...
You Can Help to Build Me a Plane
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the upper two-thirds, partially set against a blue background. The title is partially integrated and placed in the lower half, in red and in black. The text is separate and placed in the lower quarter, in black, held...
Victory Is in Your Hands!
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the seven images are positioned in the lower three-quarters. The title and text are separate and placed in the upper quarter and lower quarter, in black and in white. All set against a red background. image: the six upper images depict three women...
Who Left That? (recto) This Is Wrong - Lift This Way (verso)
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: The poster is double-sided. Side 1: the image occupies the majority. The title is integrated and positioned across the central third, in blue and in white. The text is separate and placed along the bottom edge, in blue. All set against a white...
Handle Carefully (recto) Mind Your Toes (verso)
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: The poster is double-sided. Side 1: the image is positioned in the upper two-thirds. The title and text are separate and positioned in the upper fifth and lower third, in pink, held within brown insets. Further text is separate and placed along...
Train to Win
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1940
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters. The title is integrated and located in the upper quarter, in black. The text is separate and placed in the lower quarter, in blue, in red and in white, set against a black background. image: a shoulder-...
You Can Help to Build Me a Gun
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the upper two-thirds, partially set against a brown background. The title is partially integrated and placed in the lower half, in red and in black. The text is separate and placed in the lower quarter, in black, held...