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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Lieutenant-Colonel A S Pearson : DSO and BAR, 1 Bn, 1st Parachute Brigade
(art) Made by: Carr, Henry 1943
image: A head portrait of Lieutenant-Colonel A S Pearson wearing a beret, looking to the right.
A Mountain Battery : lifting the cradle up the hill
(art) Made by: Luard, Lowes Dalbiac
image: A view looking down on a group of British soldiers attempting to pull a supply of shells up a mountain, along a path through the rocks. Two soldiers at the top of the mountain strain to pull the rope attached to the cradle, while five other...
A Mountain Battery : in the mule-lines
(art) Made by: Luard, Lowes Dalbiac
image: Two mules rear up while the groom attempts to grab the reins. Two other mules stand by and watch.
General Spaatz : Air Commodore-in-Chief, American Air Force
(art) Made by: Carr, Henry 1943
image: a head and shoulder portrait of General Spaatz in uniform.
Sergeant Edwards, MM, 9th Queen's Royal Lancers
(art) Made by: Elwes, Simon (RA) 1942
image: A head and shoulders portrait of Edwards, who has turned to his left to face the viewer. He is wearing a desert issue shirt, with the badge of the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers on the shoulder epaulette, and a forage cap.
Corporal Guise DCM, Rifle Brigade
(art) Made by: Elwes, Simon (RA) 1942
image: A head and shoulders portrait of Guise, who has turned to his left to face the viewer. He wears a desert issue shirt, with the ribbon of his Distinguished Conduct Medal visible on his chest.
Major Burckhardt : a German parachute expert
(art) Made by: Freeth, Hubert Andrew (RA) 1942-06-13
image: A head and shoulder portrait of Major Burckhardt wearing an army cap and a shirt.
Major The Reverend Bach ; a German combatant pastor
(art) Made by: Freeth, Hubert Andrew (RA) 1942
image: A head and shoulder portrait of Major The Reverend Bach, facing slightly to the right. He is in uniform with an iron cross around his neck.
Generale Buttafuoco
(art) Made by: Freeth, Hubert Andrew (RA) 1942
image: A head and shoulder portrait of General Buttafuoco in uniform, facing slightly away from the viewer.
General J P von Ravenstein
(art) Made by: Freeth, Hubert Andrew (RA) 1941
image: A head portrait of General J P von Ravenstein, looking towards the right.