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...
To Enjoy the Fruits of Victory - Save Now
(posters) Made by: Hilder, Rowland (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the upper three-quarters, held within a brown border. The title is separate and placed in the lower quarter, in brown, and in green with brown shadowing. The text is separate and located in the lower quarter, in green...
For Final Victory and After - Keep on Saving
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1945
WFP 438 Central panel of poster is blank for local text PST 21112 is the master copy of a small format version
Thanksgiving Week - Give Thanks By Saving
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1945
WFP 483 PST 21124 is the master copy of a small format version
We've Great Things To Do - Keep On Saving
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1945
WFP 400 PST 21104 is the master copy of a small format version
Wings for Victory - Our Target - 20 Fighters 20 Bombers
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1943
WFP 266 Variant of PST 18416 with additional text
Wings for Victory - Our Target
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1943
WFP 266
We've Great Things To Do - Keep On Saving
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1945
WFP 401 PST 18624 is the master copy of a large format version
The Most You Can Save is the Least They Deserve
(posters) Made by: Elgar (artist)
WFP 385 PST 18484 is the master copy of a larger format version
The Most You Can Save is the Least They Deserve
(posters) Made by: Elgar (artist)
WFP 386 PST 18486 is the master copy of a smaller format version