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

HMS Order No 75 - HMAS Sydney [Port]
(art) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1917
whole: a schematic drawing for Dazzle camouflage, featuring a hand-drawn and hand-painted port view of a warship. Four superstructure details are placed above the main design. All text is hand-lettered. image: a port view of the Royal Australian Navy '...
HMS Order No 75 - HMAS Sydney [Starboard]
(art) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1917
whole: a schematic drawing for Dazzle camouflage, featuring a hand-drawn and hand-painted starboard view of a warship. All text is hand-lettered. image: a starboard view of the Royal Australian Navy 'Chatham Class' cruiser HMAS Sydney.
HMS Order No 108X - Gunboat Design H [Starboard]
(art) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918-06-13
whole: a schematic drawing for Dazzle camouflage, featuring a hand-drawn and hand-painted starboard view of a patrol gunboat. Five superstructure details and a stern detail are arranged above the main design. The design includes aerial plans of the ship'...
HMS Order No 107X - Gunboat Design G [Port]
(art) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918-06-13
whole: a schematic drawing for Dazzle camouflage, featuring a hand-drawn and hand-painted port view of a patrol gunboat. Two superstructure details are arranged above the ship, in the top right. The design includes aerial plans of the ship's layout above...
HMS Order No 109X - Gunboat Design I [Starboard]
(art) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918-06-13
whole: a schematic drawing for Dazzle camouflage, featuring a hand-drawn and hand-painted starboard view of a patrol gunboat. Two superstructure details and a bow and stern detail are arranged above the main design. The design includes aerial plans of...
HMS Order No 108X - Gunboat Design H [Port]
(art) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918-06-13
whole: a schematic drawing for Dazzle camouflage, featuring a hand-drawn and hand-painted port view of a patrol gunboat. The design includes aerial plans of the ship's layout above and below deck. All text is hand-lettered. image: a port view of a Royal...
HMS Order No 106X - Gunboat Design F [Starboard]
(art) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918-06-13
whole: a schematic drawing for Dazzle camouflage, featuring a hand-drawn and hand-painted starboard view of a patrol gunboat. Five superstructure details are arranged above the ship, in the top left. The design includes aerial plans of the ship's layout...
HMS Order No 105X - Gunboat Design E [Port]
(art) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918-06-13
whole: a schematic drawing for Dazzle camouflage, featuring a hand-drawn and hand-painted port view of a patrol gunboat. A stern and bow detail is arranged above the ship, in the top left. The design includes aerial plans of the ship's layout above and...
HMS Order No 107X - Gunboat Design G [Starboard]
(art) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918-06-13
whole: a schematic drawing for Dazzle camouflage, featuring a hand-drawn and hand-painted starboard view of a patrol gunboat. Two superstructure details and a bow and stern detail are arranged above the ship, in the top left. The design includes aerial...
HMS Order No 106X - Gunboat Design F [Port]
(art) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918-06-13
whole: a schematic drawing for Dazzle camouflage, featuring a hand-drawn and hand-painted port view of a patrol gunboat. A stern and bow detail is arranged above the ship, in the top left. The design includes aerial plans of the ship's layout above and...