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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Your Christmas Gift - Make it a War Savings Christmas
(posters) Made by: Speed, Harold (artist)
WFP 326 Design incorporates 'Bethlehem' by Harold Speed
Thanksgiving Week - Give Thanks By Saving
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1945
WFP 494 PST 18648 is the master copy of a large format version
Make Every Day a National Savings Day in 1946
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1945
WFP 502
Save For Prosperity - The Road Ahead
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1946
WFP 525 One of a series with the same overall title - see PST 21146, PST 21148, PST 21150, PST 21152
Good Holidays Start with Savings
(posters) Made by: Chambers (artist) 1946
WFP 577 PST 18706 is the master copy of a large format version
Support Your Thanksgiving Week - Give Thanks By Saving
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
WFP 465 PST 21119 is the master copy of a small format version
Give Thanks By Saving
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1945
WFP 466 Main part of poster blank for local text PST 21114 is the master copy of a small format version PST 16476 is the master copy of a large format Welsh language version
For Final Victory and After - Keep on Saving
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1945
WFP 439 Central panel of poster is blank for local text PST 18688 is the master copy of a large format version
Give Thanks By Saving
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1945
WFP 467 Main part of poster blank for local text PST 18646 is the master copy of a large format version PST 21116 is the master copy of a small format Welsh language version
Support Your Thanksgiving Week - Give Thanks By Saving
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1945
WFP 469 PST 18644 is the master copy of a large format version