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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An Afternoon Show by an ENSA Company in a NAAFI canteen hut
(art) Made by: Graves, Frank 1941
image: Composite view of the audience (mostly RAF personnel), stage and back-stage during an ENSA show in a NAAFI canteen. An aircraft can be seen through the window back-stage to the right of the composition, where the actors are changing into costume.
A Cinema in the Desert - ENSA, Suez 1943
(art) Made by: Graves, Frank 1943
image: A British soldier stands in a doorway of a makeshift cinema in the Egyptian desert. Within the open air construction is a table and chair, with a wooden planked floor and wooden frame in the foreground. On the wall on the right hand side is a...
American Soldiers Prepare Nissen Hut Stage Prior to ENSA Show, 1943
(art) Made by: Graves, Frank 1943
image: American soldiers and men in civilian clothing move items and curtains on stage in preparation for an ENSA theatrical performance. The stage is set within the curved corrugated roof of a Nissen hut.
An ENSA Party Travels in a Canvas-Covered Lorry
(art) Made by: Graves, Frank 1942
image: Interior of a lorry with the ENSA company sitting among wicker baskets, lit by a single bare light bulb
Veronique
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in blue, set against a white background. image: text only. text: La 1re ARMEE FRANÇAISE (Service Social) présente avec ENSA (ARMÉE BRITANNIQUE) LINA DACHARY et GASTON RICHER dans VERONIQUE Musique d'André...
Sketch book- Various Second World War Scenes
(art) Made by: Eadie, Ian G M 1943
whole: ring-bound sketch book with a leatherette cover image: a variety of subjects varying from portraits and caricatures of military personnel and entertainers to sketches of military training and relaxation. There are also a number of preparatory...
Sketch book- Various Second World War Scenes
(art) Made by: Eadie, Ian G M 1943
whole: ring-bound sketch book with a leatherette cover image: a variety of subjects varying from portraits and caricatures of military personnel and entertainers to sketches of military training and relaxation. There are also a number of preparatory...
Sketch book- Various Second World War Scenes
(art) Made by: Eadie, Ian G M 1943
whole: ring-bound sketch book with a leatherette cover image: a variety of subjects varying from portraits and caricatures of military personnel and entertainers to sketches of military training and relaxation. There are also a number of preparatory...
Sketch book- Various Second World War Scenes
(art) Made by: Eadie, Ian G M 1943
whole: ring-bound sketch book with a leatherette cover image: a variety of subjects varying from portraits and caricatures of military personnel and entertainers to sketches of military training and relaxation. There are also a number of preparatory...
Sketch book- Various Second World War Scenes
(art) Made by: Eadie, Ian G M 1943
whole: ring-bound sketch book with a leatherette cover image: a variety of subjects varying from portraits and caricatures of military personnel and entertainers to sketches of military training and relaxation. There are also a number of preparatory...