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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The British Sovereign will Win
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915-07
whole: the image occupies the top third, with the title and text below banner form. image: a shilling, sovereign side up, showing the head of George V. text: THE BRITISH SOVEREIGN WILL WIN INVEST IN THE WAR LOAN TO-DAY ASK FOR DETAILS AT NEAREST POST...
One Pound for 15 Shillings and Sixpence
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1916
whole: the title is placed across the top, with the subtitle across the bottom, both in blue. Further text is in blue. All held within a blue frame and set against a white background. image: text only. text: £1 FOR 15s 6d TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF...
Women's War Services - An Exhibition
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918-02
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in black and in red, set against a white background and held within a black border. image: text only. text: Copy as printed. For information only [ink stamp] WOMEN'S WAR SERVICES WOMEN'S ARMY AUXILIARY CORPS...
Royal Flying Corps
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1917-12
whole: the title is positioned across the top edge, in red, with the text below occupying the remainder, in black and in red. All set against a white background. image: text only. text: ROYAL FLYING CORPS. A MEETING WILL BE HELD AT [blank] LIEUT. ALSTON...
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...
Hello! American and British Soldiers
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority of the left half, with the title separate and positioned upper left in red outlined black, and across the upper quarter, in brown. The text is separate and positioned mainly over the right half, in green, in brown,...
Jeanne d'Arc [Joan of Arc]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1917
whole: the title is positioned in the upper left, with the text occupying the remainder, in red. All red against a white background. image: text only. text: Sous le haut Patronage de M. LE PRESIDENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE LL. MM. LE ROI ET LA REINE D'...
Le Foyer du Soldat [Soldiers’ Hostels]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the title and text occupy the centre and lower centre, in black, with the image forming a decorative border. All set against a white background. image: two classical columns supporting a heavily decorated architrave. The flags of the Allied...
A Tank Worker from Nigeria
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the image occupies the majority, with a smaller image placed in the lower left, held within a blue circular inset. The title and text are separate and positioned in the lower fifth, in black. All set against a white background and held within a...
From India to Play Her Part in Britain's Medical Service
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the image occupies the majority, with a smaller image placed in the lower left, held within a blue circular inset. The title and text are separate and positioned in the lower fifth, in black. All set against a white background and held within a...