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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The War Told For You in Pictures - The Empire's Might by Land, Sea and Air
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1941-09-04
whole: the 13 images occupy the majority. The title is separate and positioned along the top edge, in the upper left and lower right, in black. The text is separate and located in the upper centre, held within a narrow black border, and beneath each...
Battle of the Landings - 'A.N.Z.A.C', April 25th 1915
(art) Made by: Hillier, Herbert 1915
image: A view across the sea toward the Gallipoli peninsula, with the sun rising over the high ground of Sari Bair. The two Royal Navy warships HMS Bacchante and HMS Triumph sail alongside the coastline.
The Battle of the Landings - ANZAC - Evening, April 25th 1915
(art) Made by: Hillier, Herbert 1915
image: an annotated sketch of the scene in the evening of the initial landings at Anzac Cove on the western side of the Gallipoli peninsula, looking eastwards. Numerous ships are in the water near the coastline, with splashes in the water showing the...
The Battle of the Landings - ANZAC - 6.30pm Looking East, April 25th 1915
(art) Made by: Hillier, Herbert 1915
image: a heavily annotated sketch of the scene in the evening of the initial landings at Anzac Cove on the western side of the Gallipoli peninsula, looking eastwards. A few ships, including the Royal Navy warship HMS Bacchante, are visible in the water...
Spotting for HMS Queen Elizabeth, April 26th 1915
(art) Made by: Hillier, Herbert 1915
image: a view of the coastline of the western side of the Gallipoli peninsula, in the vicinity of Anzac Cove. The Royal Navy battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Bacchante are visible against the coastline.
Lemnos, April 22nd 1915
(art) Made by: Hillier, Herbert 1915
image: A view of Mudros Bay in Lemnos, looking North-East by East. Warships, transport ships and other vessels are moored in the bay with an Australian Army camp and a village visible on the coastline in the background.
In Mudros Bay - Preparations Completed, April 23rd 1915
(art) Made by: Hillier, Herbert 1915
image: A view of Mudros Bay in Lemnos. An assortment of ships, including a line of numerous lighters tied together, are moored in the bay with the coastline in the background. There is a sketch of a specific boat in the top right corner of the...
The Battle of Egypt: A New Zealand Battery in Action
(art) Made by: Gross, Anthony (CBE) (RA) 1942
image: two soldiers wearing desert uniforms and helmets sit on the ground under a rudimentary shade, suspended above. One is holding the receiver of a field telephone. In the background there are several other soldiers firing artillery guns across the...
The Battle of the Landings - ANZAC - Night, April 25th 1915
(art) Made by: Hillier, Herbert 1915
image: crew members of HMS Manica stand on the deck of the ship trying to view developments on the shore at Anzac Cove on the western side of the Gallipoli peninsula. One man stands on metal stairs with his arm pointing to the land. Beyond them further...
The Battle of the Landings - ANZAC - 5.15pm, April 25th 1915
(art) Made by: Hillier, Herbert 1915
image: A sketch of the scene in the evening of the initial landings at Anzac Cove on the western side of the Gallipoli peninsula. In the left foreground is a transport ship carrying ANZAC infantry, with warships and lighters close by. The coastline runs...