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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Ladies Emergency Committee of the Navy League
(posters) Made by: Leddie, P (artist) 1918
whole: the image occupies the whole, with the title integrated and positioned across the top edge, in blue. The text is integrated and positioned lower left and across the bottom, in blue. All set against a white background. image: a German nurse pours a...
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...
Spectacle de Gala
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1916-06-30
whole: the title is positioned in the upper quarter, with the text occupying the remainder, in black. The text is divided by black horizontal lines. The corners of the poster are coloured red, with the remainder set against a yellow background. image:...
Journée Patriotique [Patriotic Day]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1916-07-16
whole: the title is positioned in the upper quarter, with the text occupying the remainder, both in blue. The text is divided into sections by a number of vertical and horizontal blue lines. All set against a white background. image: text only. text:...
Have You Heard?
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1943-10
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in black, set against a white background. image: text only. text: HAVE YOU HEARD? ITALY has declared War on Germany -- But England and her Allies are still in the War, 'up to the neck'; our splendid men are...
Comforts Day
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918
whole: the title is positioned along the top edge, in blue. The text occupies the remainder, in red and blue. All set against a white background. image: text only. text: COMFORTS DAY TUESDAY, MAY 21ST. FOR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS GIVE US THE MEANS TO HELP....
Give - to the Red Cross
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority. The title and text are separate and positioned in the lower third, in red, and in blue outlined white. All set against a blue, light blue and white background, held within a narrow blue border. image: a depiction...
St Andrew's Day
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918-11-29
whole: the image occupies the whole, with the title integrated and positioned centre left, in red. The text is integrated and positioned centre right and lower centre, in black. All held within a wide white border. image: head and shoulders depiction of...
Society of St George
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the centre, with the title separate and positioned in the upper quarter, in black Gothic script. The text is separate and positioned lower right and lower left also in black Gothic script. Further text is separate and positioned...
Pay the Piper - What About Your Share?
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the main image occupies the majority of the upper two-thirds and is held within a narrow black border, with a smaller image positioned lower centre. The title is separate and positioned across the top edge, in red cursive script, with the subtitle...