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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There Are Sovereigns Rusting by the Roadside - Take them to the Salvage Dump
(posters) Made by: Davidson, C L (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority. The title and text are separate and positioned in the upper two thirds, in black. All held within a narrow black border and set against a white background. image: a depiction of a group of artillery shells, a...
SOS - Save Our Salvage
(posters) Made by: Ford, Thomas J G (artist) 1918-07
whole: the image occupies the whole. The title is integrated and positioned in the lower half, in red and white. The text is integrated and positioned in the upper left, in white. image: a depiction of the remains of a war damaged building. Artillery...
Pick 'Em Up
(posters) Made by: Owen, A J (artist)
whole: the image occupies the whole. The title is integrated and positioned along the top edge, in yellow outlined black. The text is integrated and positioned in the upper quarter and lower right, in black. All held within a narrow black border and set...
Salvos of Shells for the Huns - Can be obtianed from Salvage
(posters) Made by: Unknown
Ink stamp 'Salvage Officer, I Corps' and ink inscription No. 'I.S. 59' and Date '23.6.18'
Save Our Salvage
(posters) Made by: Spence, John
No description available
SOS - Save Our Salvage
(posters) Made by: Ford, Thomas J G 1918
Press A Two ink stamps 'Salvage Officer I Corps, one with ink inscription 'I.S. 59' and '23.6.18' PST 13415 is the master copy of the printed version of this poster
Aladdin - Salve Something Today in the Theatre of War
(posters) Made by: Ford, Thomas J G
No description available
Salvage - Material Saved ...
(posters) Made by: Donn, R
'Bulldog' stamp with ink inscription 'R Donn', in margin
Pick 'Em Up
(posters) Made by: Owen, A J
PST 13432 is the master copy of the published version of this poster
There Are Sovereigns Rusting by the Roadside - Take them to the Salvage Dump
(posters) Made by: Davidson, C L
France 99 (3) PST 13419 is the master copy of the published poster