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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Snap into it - Men 18-19 1/2 - Home Defence
(posters) Made by: Scott, Frederick George Alfred (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set against a blue background. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in red cursive script. The subtitle is separate and placed in the lower quarter, in white, set against a green...
'Let 'em All Come' - Home Defence Battalions
(posters) Made by: Scott, Frederick George Alfred (artist) 1939
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set against a green background. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in white outlined red cursive script. The subtitle and text are separate and placed in the lower quarter, in...
Let 'em All Come - Home Defence Battalions
(posters) Made by: Scott, Frederick George Alfred (artist) 1940
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set against a green background. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in white outlined red cursive script. The subtitle and text are separate and placed in the lower quarter, in...
Food - Don't Waste It
(posters) Made by: F G C (artist)
whole: the title and text are positioned across the whole, in black and in red, set against a white background. image: text only. text: Food 1 - buy it with thought 2 - cook it with care 3 - use less wheat and meat 4 - serve just enough 5 - use what is...
Put Litter in the Basket
(posters) Made by: A M (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the upper third, with the title and text separate and placed in the lower two-thirds, in black and orange. All set against a white background. image: a full-length depiction of a well-dressed man dropping an empty...
Music - The Mosaic of the Air
(posters) Made by: T M (artist) 1946-06
whole: the eight images occupy the majority. The title is partially integrated and positioned in the upper fifth, in black outlined white, and in black, held within a decorative blue inset. The text is separate and placed at the centre and upper centre,...
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...
'Let Us Go Forward Together'
(posters) Made by: Keely, Pat (artist) 1943
whole: the image is positioned in the upper three-quarters, with two smaller images located in the lower quarter. The title is partially integrated and placed in the lower quarter, in black. The text is separate and placed along the bottom edge, in brown...
No
(posters) Made by: McLaren, Ian (artist) 1967
image: The cloud of a nuclear bomb after it has been detonated in the sea. Printed in jet black on a very white paper. Top third of image. The rest is text. text: NO. 1 Polaris = 4 new universities 1 V-bomber = 7 new schools 1 aircraft carrier = 2 new...