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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Gray - The Soldier - The Fighter
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918-12
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in black and set against a yellow background. image: text only. text: GRAY The Soldier The Fighter HE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU! GIVE HIM THE CHANCE THE MAN WHO DID. VOTE FOR GRAY Published by T. V. PRETTY, 77, Queen'...
Vote for Captain MacNaghten
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918
whole: a portrait format, with the text, in red, arranged in banner form over a plain background. image: text only. text: VOTE FOR CAPT. MACNACHTEN AND THE RESTORATION OF THE PEOPLE'S RIGHTS. Printed and Published at the Oxonlan Press, Oxford.
Our Army is Fighting Corrupt Militarism
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918
whole: a portrait format, with the text, in white and blue, arranged in banner form over a blue background. image: text only. text: OUR ARMY is fighting CORRUPT MILITARISM JOIN THE NATIONAL PARTY which is fighting CORRUPT POLITICS APPLY TO LOCAL...
A Mass Meeting
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in black and set against a white background. image: text only. text: PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION 1918 ROMFORD DIVISION COALITION CANDIDATE CAPTAIN A. E. MARTIN A MASS MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE ELECTRIC THEATRE...
Captain H Higgins Now Appeals...
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918
whole: a landscape format, with the text, in red, arranged in banner form over a plain background. image: text only. text: CAPT. H. HIGGINS NOW APPEALS, not to the Military Tribunal, but to THE ELECTORS OF OXFORD for THEIR VOTES. SEND A SOLDIER TO...
Vote for Captain MacNaghten
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918
whole: a portrait format, with the text, in red, arranged in banner form over a plain background. image: text only. text: VOTE FOR CAPT. MACNACHTEN AND WORK AND FAIR PLAY FOR THE BOYS WHO FOUGHT AND WON. Printed and Published at the Oxonlan Press, Oxford.
Vote for Captain Higgins and No Conscription
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918
whole: a landscape format, with the text, in red, arranged in banner form over a plain background. image: text only. text: VOTE FOR CAPT. HIGGINS AND NO CONSCRIPTION Printed and Published by the Oxford Chronicle Company Ltd., High Street, Oxford.
Captain H Higgins - Fought for the People...
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918
whole: a landscape format, with the text, in red, arranged in banner form over a plain background. image: text only. text: CAPT. H. HIGGINS Fought for the People in France and is the best Man to Protect your interests at Home. VOTE FOR HIGGINS Printed...
Coalition Candidate - Captain A E Martin
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918-11
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in black, and set against a white background. image: text only. text: PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION 1918 ROMFORD DIVISION COALITION CANDIDATE CAPTAIN A. E. MARTIN COPY OF LETTER FROM MR. LLOYD GEORGE AND MR. BONAR LAW...
Vote for Capt. Martin and Secure Justice for Our Sailors and Soldiers
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918-12
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in black, and set against a white background. image: text only. text: PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION. DECEMBER 14th, 1918. VOTE FOR CAPT. MARTIN AND SECURE JUSTICE FOR OUR SAILORS AND SOLDIERS. Printed and Published by...