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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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...
Britain's Sea Power is Yours!
(posters) Made by: Thomas, Walter (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority, with the Admiralty seal placed in the upper right. The title is separate and positioned along the top edge and bottom edge, in red. The text is integrated and placed in the lower right, in white. All set against a...
Britain's Sea Power is Yours!
(posters) Made by: Thomas, Walter (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority, with the Admiralty seal placed in the lower left. The title is separate and positioned along the bottom edge, in white, set against a grey background. The text is integrated and placed in the lower right, in white...
Women of the Forces
(posters) Made by: Jones (artist)
whole: the three images are positioned in the upper half, with a smaller image positioned at the top edge centre. The title is partially integrated and placed in the upper quarter, in red and in black. The text is partially integrated and located in the...
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...
Four-and-a-Half Percent War Loan
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: the title and text are in red and blue against a white background, and arranged in banner form within a red and blue frame. image: the Royal Charter, positioned top centre. text: G R 4½% WAR LOAN SUBSCRIPTIONS HERE 5s UPWARDS PUBLISHED BY THE...
Savings Are Like the Best Books
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the upper quarter, partially set against a white panel. A smaller image is located in the lower centre, partially set against a brown panel. The title is separate and placed in the lower three-quarters, in brown. The...
'Raise the Standard' of War Savings
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the whole. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in blue. image: a depiction of a Union Flag, with a gold star containing a National Savings badge added in the top left corner, being raised on a flagpole...
The Sound Business Man's Investment - National War Bonds
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1919-03
whole: the title is placed across the top half, with the subtitle in the lower half, both in bright yellow and separated by the Chancellor's seal. Arranged in banner form against a blue-grey background within a white border. image: the seal of the...
Buy Your War Bonds Now!
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918
whole: the title is placed lower left, in grey-blue and speckled red against a black background. The image is positioned above at the upper right. image: a quarter segment of a Royal Flying Corps insignia roundel. text: BUY WAR BONDS NOW No.74.