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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Collections search

"Wipers" - Maquette for the Hoylake War Memorial, West Kirby
(art) Made by: Jagger, Charles Sargeant
image: a maquette of a British infantrymen, shown full length brandishing a rifle with bayonet attached. He stands with a German pickelhaube at his feet.
Soldier Lighting a Pipe
(art) Made by: Hartwell, Charles Leonard (RA)
No description available
Seated Soldier with a Child
(art) Made by: Hartwell, Charles Leonard (RA) 1920
No description available
Soldier Blowing a Bugle
(art) Made by: Hartwell, Charles Leonard (RA)
No description available
Lieutenant-Commander R S Armitage, GC, RNVR
(art) Made by: Skeaping, John Rattenbury
whole: a bronze sculpture of the head of Lieutenant-Commander Robert S Armitage GC RNVR.
Wing Commander James E ('Johnnie') Johnson : DSO and 2 Bars, DFC and Bar
(art) Made by: Gerrard, Alfred Horace (Professor) 1945
whole: Bust of Johnson
A Crusader, 1918
(art) Made by: Jackson, C d'O Pilkington 1920
No description available
Sergeant Pat Kenneally, VC
(art) Made by: Bissett, Douglas Robertson 1944
whole: Head of Kenneally
Déporté Politique, 1945 [Political Prisoners, 1945]
(decorations and awards) Made by: Bazor, L 1945
obverse design: a kneeling prisoner, with hands tied behind his back, looks up at a cross of Lorraine. Other prisoners are being beaten up by German guards in a background frieze. obverse text: MAUTHAUSEN 18.11.41 5.5.45 DEPORTE POLITIQUE [Political...
Wing Commander John C Button : DSO, DFC and American DFC
(art) Made by: Gerrard, Alfred Horace (Professor) 1945
whole: Head of Wing Commander John C Button