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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Harris, Walter 'Wally (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2000
British NCO served with Light Aid Detachment, Royal Army Ordnance Corps attached to 168 Bde in GB, 1939-1941; served with LAD, RAOC/Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers attached to 90th Field Regt, Royal Artillery in GB, Iraq, Egypt and Sicily in GB...
Dodd, Lionel Cyril Henry (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1998
British NCO served with 2/7th Bn, Royal West Surrey Regt in GB, Iraq and North Africa, 1940-1943; served as officer with Mortar Platoon, Support Coy, 16th Durham Light Infantry in Middle East, Italy, Greece and Austria, 1944-1946; served with 2/5th Bn,...
Chapman, Harry (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2004-07
British NCO served with with 9th Bn, Manchester Regt in GB, North West Europe, Iceland, North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Greece and Austria, 1930-1945
Gentleman, David William (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2008-07-03
British civilian artist and anti-war activist in GB, 1960s-2008 including design work with Stop the War Coalition, 2001-2008
Stanley, Vera (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1987-02
British civilian worked with Women's Land Army Timber Corps in Suffolk and Wales, 1942-1946
Elliott, David Scotchford (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1995
British stretcher bearer served with 141st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps in GB, France and Belgium, 1939-1940. Present at evacuation of Dunkirk 1940. Served as officer with 107th Regt, Royal Artillery in North Africa 1942; served with 107...
Swann, Irene 'Bunny' (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1990-02-01
British civilian student in GB, 1914-1919; civilian living in London, 1939-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Davies, Peter N (Production company) 1975-10
British Territorial officer served with 87th Field Regt, Royal Artillery in GB 1938-1940. Adjutant of 1st Indian Anti-Aircraft Regt in India and Singapore 1941-1942; captured in Singapore 15/2/1942 . POW of Japanese in Singapore and Thailand 2/1942-8/...
recording
(sound) Made by: BROM (Production company) 1997
British civilian served with Home Guard and Auxiliary Units in Suffolk, GB, 1940-1944
recording
(sound) Made by: Chaplin, Ray (Production company) 2006
British civilian served with Auxiliary Units in Suffolk, GB during Second World War