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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Europäische Keilerei 1914 [European Brawling 1914]
(posters) Made by: Linge (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority, held within a narrow black border. The title is separate and positioned across the top edge, in black. The text is integrated and positioned lower left, in black. All set against a white background. image: a map of...
Europa im Zweiten Kriegsjahr 1915/16
(posters) Made by: Eddelbuttel, Richard (artist) 1916
whole: the image occupies the whole, held within a narrow green border. The title is integrated and positioned in the top left corner, in green. The text and a small image are separate and positioned lower right, in green, held within a scroll design....
Sommerschau über Europa 1915 [Summer Show over Europe 1915]
(posters) Made by: A K (artist) 1915
whole: the image occupies the whole, held within a black border. The title and text are separate and positioned in the top right corner, in black and red gothic script, and held within a yellow border. image: a map of Europe, with each country...
Pax Britannica
(posters) Made by: Bertoletti, G (artist) 1943
whole: the image occupies the whole. An emblem of a 'V' held within a circle is positioned in the lower left. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper fifth, in red outlined black. image: a full-length caricature of John Bull dressed in a...
Emprunt Français Cinq pour cent 1920 [Five Percent French Loan 1920]
(posters) Made by: Jonas, Lucien (artist) 1920
whole: the image covers the majority of the poster surface, with the title separate and positioned across the top in blue. Further text is located separately across the bottom in black. All set against a white background. image: Marianne, seated on a...
Von Grossen Sammelwert! [Of Great Collecting Value!]
(posters) Made by: Amschewitz, G H (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority, held within a black border. The title is separate and positioned across the top edge, in black. The text is integrated and positioned in the top left corner, also in black. Further text is separate and positioned...