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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For Britain
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, held within a yellow border. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper left, in yellow. The text is separate and placed in the lower quarter, in brown and in black, set against a yellow...
Defend Your Freedom
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the upper two-thirds, held within a narrow white border. The title is integrated and placed along the top edge, in burgundy. The text is partially integrated and located in the lower half, in burgundy and in blue, held...
Johan Nilsson
(posters) Made by: Pick, Beverley (artist) 1942
whole: the main image occupies the right two-thirds, with a smaller image positioned in the upper left. The title is separate and placed in the centre left, in black. The text is separate and occupies the lower left, in red. The title and text are set...
Saving the Soil of the West Indies to Grow More Food
(posters) Made by: Nunney (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority, held within a blue border. The title and text are separate and positioned in the lower fifth, in black. All set against a white background. image: a depiction of West Indian agricultural workers working in their...
Join Your Street Group
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To Enjoy the Fruits of Victory - Save Now
(posters) Made by: Hilder, Rowland (artist)
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Join the Army and See the World
(posters) Made by: British Army (publisher/sponsor)
whole: two images are positioned across the top edge and in the lower third, with four circular images positioned in the centre right, upper right, centre left and upper left, all held within green and yellow borders. The title is separate and positioned...
Make Hay While the Sun Shines
(posters) Made by: Pick, Beverley (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the upper three-quarters held, on three sides, within a white border. The title is separate and placed in the lower quarter, in black, held within a blue scroll design. The text is separate and placed in the lower...
Work for a Record Harvest
(posters) Made by: Pick, Beverley (artist)
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Free Ships for the Second Front
(posters) Made by: Pick, Beverley (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the upper three-quarters held, on three sides, within a white border. The title is separate and placed in the lower quarter, in black, held within a blue scroll design. The text is separate and placed in the lower...