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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Remember the Dead but Don't Forget the Living [Poppy Appeal]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1990
Same design and text as PST 9422, with a variant image
Richard Went Off to War in 1950 - His Wife is Still Waiting for him to Return [Poppy Appeal]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1990
Same design and text as PST 9422, with a variant image
Give Thanks [Poppy Appeal]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1990
Printed on thin yellow paper, may be a printer's proof Same text as PST 9418 with a variant image of Big Ben
Give Thanks [Poppy Appeal]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1990
Printed on thin yellow paper, may be a printer's proof Same text as PST 9418 and PST 9419, with a variant image of the Houses of Pariliament in portrait format
Give Thanks for Those Who Stood in Their Way [Poppy Appeal]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1990
No description available
Remember the Dead but Don't Forget the Living [Poppy Appeal]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1990
Same design and text as PST 9425, with a variant image
Give Thanks [Poppy Appeal]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1990
Same text as PST 9419, with a variant image of a public house
For Queen and Country
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1988
No description available
The Great War - an Exhibit and Symposium
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1997
No description available
Here Lies a Survivor of the Falklands War - May He Rest in Peace [Poppy Appeal]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1990
No description available