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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Squad Drill on the Prom, Blackpool, April 1941
(art) Made by: Keay, Tom 1941
image: A view along the Promenade and beach at Blackpool. There are airmen on parade along the length of the promenade, and Blackpool Tower can be seen in the background.
Landscape near Jalarpet, Madras State, January 1943
(art) Made by: Keay, Tom 1943
image: A landscape with exotic foliage and hills in the background.
Coolies Clearing a Camp Site Disturb a Large Python - Dimapur, January 1943
(art) Made by: Keay, Tom 1943
image: A group of Indian labourers standing around a large jungle tree looking up at a large snake entwined in the branches. A figure on the left taunts the snake with a long stick.
Camp at Dimapur, January 1943
(art) Made by: Keay, Tom 1943
image: A view of a jungle camp showing troops resting and a tent pitched among buttressed trees.
Landscape, Madras State
(art) Made by: Keay, Tom 1943
image: An ink sketch of an Indian landscape with three figures.
Naga Hills and the Road to Imphal, near Kohima, February 1943
(art) Made by: Keay, Tom 1943
image: A view over the Naga hills with terraced sides from an elevated position on the Imphal road. There are three figures and a lorry in the centre mid-distance.
Widening the Dimapur - Imphal Road, February 1943
(art) Made by: Keay, Tom 1943
image: A view along the Imphal Road. Two lorries pass a gang of Indian labourers cutting into the hillside to widen the road.
Second Camp at Imphal, June / July 1944
(art) Made by: Keay, Tom 1944
image: Looking down onto a thatched hut in a jungle setting. Two figures make their way up a steep stairway cut into the hill.
Second Camp at Imphal, June / July 1944
(art) Made by: Keay, Tom 1944
image: A thatched hut in a jungle setting with washing hanging on a line from two trees, and a seated figure.
Deserted Village - First Camp at Imphal, March 1943
(art) Made by: Keay, Tom 1943
image: A deserted village with derelict buildings.