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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Highfield, Martyn (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2003-01
British officer served with 74th Field Regt, Royal Artillery in GB, North West Europe, North Africa and Sicily, 1939-1944; served as staff officer to Commander Royal Artillery, Headquarters, 49 Div, 1945-1945; served as air liaison officer aboard HMS...
IWM interview
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1992-08-10
British private served with Royal Army Ordnance Corps in GB, 1940-1941; officer served with 19th (Super Heavy Battery), Royal Artillery in GB, 1941-1943; served with 13th Medium Regt, Royal Artillery in GB, 6/1943-12/1943
Bernard, Joan Constance Churchill (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1998-03-23
British civilian student at Oxford University, GB, 1939-1940; private served as secretary with Auxiliary Territorial Service, 5th Anti-Aircraft Div in GB, 1940-1941; served as staff officer with Anti-Aircraft Command in GB, 1942-1944 and with Supreme...
Miller, Lettice (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1994-08
British schoolchild in Gloucestershire, GB, 1914-1918; civilian served with Women's Land Army and volunteer helper with POW's parcels in Hampshire, GB, 1939-1945
Carpenter, Cecil Edward (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1985-10-17
British civilian in London, schoolchild and underground railway worker 1902-1923
Hartford, Pauline Overton (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987
British civilian working in Bank of England offices in Hampshire from 1943, met American soldiers. Courtship, engagement to GI in 1944. Marriage and crossing to USA in 1945, settled in Georgia