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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Collections search

Chungkai Camp 1943-44: Regimental Christmas Card
(art) Made by: Gimson, George Stanley 1943
image: A view of Father Christmas wearing a red loin cloth and traditional hat. He is climbing through a bamboo fence, carrying a sack on his shoulder.
Military Police
(art) Made by: Clark, John Cosmo
image: A German military policeman wearing a large overcoat, cap and clogs, standing with his hands in his pocket.
"Headquarters" - A Caricature of Gordon Brinley Richards
(art) Made by: Orpen, William
image: a half-length caricature of Gordon Brinley Richards in uniform, his head hanging forward shown in profile and mouth agape.
Improperly Dressed
(art) Made by: Searle, Ronald William Fordham 1943
image: a soldier dressed in a patched, ragged uniform stands to attention in front of a large officer seated at a small table. The Officer is bare-chested and his shorts are also patched. text:'I will not tolerate my men in this camp being improperly...
Caricature of an Australian soldier with a Portuguese soldier
(art) Made by: Magot, L (Artist) 1917-05
No description available
Caricature of two Russian officers
(art) Made by: Magot, L (Artist) 1917-05
No description available
Caricature of two Portuguese officers
(art) Made by: Magot, L (Artist) 1917-05
No description available
Caricature of a Belgian officer
(art) Made by: Magot, L (Artist) 1917-05
No description available
The Couple: caricature of a British soldier with a bulldog
(art) Made by: Magot, L (Artist) 1917-05
No description available
Caricature of a British military policeman and a French soldier
(art) Made by: Magot, L (Artist) 1917-05
No description available