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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Faith in Canada - Use it all for Victory Bonds
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the image occupies the upper two-thirds, with the title integrated and positioned upper left, in green outlined black. The subtitle is separate and positioned in the lower third, in yellow, against a dark blue background. All held within a dark...
Victory Bonds Will Help Stop This - Kultur Vs. Humanity
(posters) Made by: Unknown 1918
whole: the image covers the whole, with the title integrated and positioned in the upper third, and the subtitle integrated and positioned across the bottom, both in light blue. image: a Canadian soldier supports the lifeless body of a nurse as he swims...
Yours not to Do and Die - Yours but to Go and Buy Victory Bonds
(posters) Made by: Unknown 1918
whole: the image occupies the upper half, with the title separate and positioned in the lower half, in dark brown and in red outlined dark brown. The text is separate and positioned lower right, in dark brown. All set against a light brown background....
Allons! Finissons la Besogne [Come On! Let's Finish the Job]
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the image occupies the upper two-thirds. The title is separate and positioned in the lower third, in green, with the text separate and also positioned in the lower third, in red, both set against a brown background. All held within a black border...
Come On! Let's Finish the Job
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the image occupies the upper two-thirds. The title is separate and positioned in the lower third, in green, with the text separate and also positioned in the lower third, in red, both set against a brown background. All held within a black border...
Pave the Way to Victory
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the image occupies the whole, held within a narrow black border. The title is integrated and positioned upper left, in red, with the text integrated and positioned lower left, in red outlined black. image: three Canadian Army trucks drive along a...
Hâtons leur Retour [Let's Hasten their Return]
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the image occupies the whole, held within a narrow black border. The title is integrated and positioned upper left, in red, with the text integrated and positioned lower left, in red outlined black. image: three Canadian Army trucks drive along a...
Back Him Up! - Buy Victory Bonds
(posters) Made by: Unknown 1918
whole: the image covers the whole, held within a deep red and grey border. The title and subtitle are integrated and positioned at the bottom, in white and red. image: a full-length Canadian infantryman, with his back to the viewer, looking towards the...
Bring Him Home with the Victory Loan
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whole: the image covers the upper three-quarters, with title positioned separately below, in red against a black background. image: a smiling Canadian infantryman sitting facing the viewer, either on a quayside or on board ship. The soldier's knapsack...
Be Yours to Hold it High!
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whole: the image covers the majority, with the title integrated and positioned upper left, in white. The text is separate and positioned across the bottom edge, in orange against a dark brown background. image: Victory holds up a flaming torch,...