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-Commander N K Tod, DSC, RN : "HMS Norfolk"
(art) Made by: Dring, William (RA) 1942
image: A head and shoulder portrait of Lieutenant-Commander N K Tod in civilian clothing, looking down to the right.
Lieutenant-Commander E Mack, DSO, DSC, RN : "HMS Eclipse"
(art) Made by: Dring, William (RA) 1942
image: A full length portrait of Lieutenant-Commander E Mack sitting in an arm chair reading and smoking a pipe.
Sub-Lieutenant (A) E F Lee, DSO, RN
(art) Made by: Dring, William (RA) 1942
image: A three-quarter length portrait of the Sub-Lieutenant in uniform with his arms crossed. There is a plane in the background behind him.
Mrs E V Welby : Superintendent WRNS, Plymouth
(art) Made by: Dring, William (RA) 1942
image: Portrait of Mrs E V Welby in uniform sitting at a desk. She is reading a letter. On the table in front of her are two black telephones.
Able Seaman J J Disney, DSM
(art) Made by: Dring, William (RA)
image: A half-length portrait of Able Seaman J J Disney in uniform.
Sergeant L G Johnson, RM
(art) Made by: Dring, William (RA) 1941
image: Profile portrait of a Sergeant in uniform & steel helmet holding a rifle with both hands.
Captain W H Dothie, MC, RA
(art) Made by: Dring, William (RA) 1941
image: A head and shoulder portrait of Captain W H Dothie in uniform.
Chief Petty Officer T W Palmer : DSM "HMS Tigris"
(art) Made by: Dring, William (RA) 1942
image: A half-length portrait of Chief Petty Officer T W Palmer sitting with his arms crossed. Behind him are several dials and levers, giving the impression of an engine room.
Morgan : mentioned in dispatches, "HMS Thunderbolt"
(art) Made by: Dring, William (RA) 1942
image: A head and shoulder portrait of a submariner in uniform.
Lieutenant D S McN V Campbell : DSC and Bar, RN
(art) Made by: Dring, William (RA) 1942
image: A half-length portrait of Lieutenant D S McN V Campbell in uniform, shown in profile, leaning over a map with some chart dividers.