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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Attack on Taranto, 11 November 1940
(art) Made by: Hamilton, John 1972
image: A reconstruction of the British raid on Taranto with shipping, flares and searchlights in a night sky. The Italian fleet at anchor in the harbour is under attack from aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm. Searchlight beams shine brightly up into the...
Second Battle of Sirte, 22nd March 1942
(art) Made by: Hamilton, John 1972
image: A reconstruction of a scene during the Second Battle of Sirte in the Mediterranean. A Royal Navy warship, shown port side on, sails towards other shipping visible on the horizon. There is a large plume of black smoke from the ship's funnel and...
Battle of Matapan, 28 March 1941
(art) Made by: Hamilton, John 1972
image: A reconstruction of a scene during the Battle of Cape Matapan in the Mediterranean. The Royal Navy battleship HMS Warspite is shown port side on along with another vessel visible in the far right. The scene is illuminated by three bright...
Aircraft Attacking Four Ships in the Mediterranean
(art) Made by: Hamilton, John 1972
image: A reconstruction of a scene in the Mediterranean, with several ships under aerial attack from low-flying aircraft. The ships are surrounded by white plumes of sea spray from the fire of the aircraft. The buildings of a coastal town are visible in...