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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2nd and 3rd May - The Belgrano
(art) Made by: Kirkwood, John 1990
image: A large red door-bell is collaged onto the canvas. It is surrounded by a thick splattering of red paint which drips down onto a group of men at the base of the composition. Their heads and shoulders float in a dark background, their faces are...
With Singing Hearts and Throaty Roarings...., 1983
(art) Made by: McFadyen, Jock 1983
image: A series of figures, with only their heads and shoulders visible, are gathered together at a dockside with a warship recently returned from the Falklands looming over them in the background. There is a coffin covered with a British Union Jack flag...
Precision Mosquito Hunt Only $1 Billion per Day
(art) Made by: Bell, Steve 1991
image: a large elephant wearing an American baseball cap and with a basket of bombs and missiles on its back, stands in a water-filled shell hole typical of the First World War. A sign bearing the title is placed in the mud in the foreground. The...
Peace - Giant
(art) Made by: Keane, John 1990
image: a large shadowy structure set against a blue sky, a corrugated iron fence and grassy landscape in the foreground.
Follow the Fuhrer, Over the Snows
(art) Made by: Nash, Paul 1942
image: an apocalyptic vision of a horde of screaming skulls rising up from the depths of the landscape. Included in the centre is a cut out of Hitler's open mouth, moustache and nose, incorporating a collage element into the composition. The ground...
Follow the Fuhrer Above the Clouds, 1942
(art) Made by: Nash, Paul 1942
image: a surreal depiction of a squadron of German aircraft flying over a sunlit cloudscape, accompanied by a huge flying shark.
Coastal Command
(posters) Made by: Foss, Jonathan
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