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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Sommeschlacht III - Nahkampf [Hand-to-hand Combat]
(art) Made by: Pechstein, Max (artist) 1920
This etching is no. III in the series
Sommeschlacht V - Verwundetentransport [Transporting the Wounded]
(art) Made by: Pechstein, Max (artist) 1920
This etching is no. V in the series
Sommeschlacht VIII - Die Erste Hilfe [First Aid]
(art) Made by: Pechstein, Max (artist) 1920
image: A German soldier kneels on the ground, cradling a badly wounded comrade in his arms. The wounded man appears to be limp and lifeless in his arms. A shell explodes above in the top right corner.
Sommeschlacht IV - Granateinschlag [Exploding Shell]
(art) Made by: Pechstein, Max (artist) 1920
This etching is no. IV in the series
Sommeschlacht I - Titelradierung [Title Etching]
(art) Made by: Pechstein, Max (artist) 1920
This etching is no. I in the series
Sommeschlacht VII - Soldaten beim Schanzen [Soldiers Digging a Trench]
(art) Made by: Pechstein, Max (artist) 1920
This etching is no. VII in the series
Sommeschlacht II - Auf Posten [On Sentry Duty]
(art) Made by: Pechstein, Max (artist) 1920
This etching is no. II in the series
The Storming Of Zeebrugge Mole. St George's Day, 23rd April 1918
(art) Made by: Howarth, Albany 1918
image: a high stone sea-defence wall ('mole') on the left borders a choppy sea. In the centre lies a cruiser, flying the British naval ensign. The vessel lies up against the mole and is seen from the stern where a Lewis gun is mounted. A file of armed...
Sommeschlacht VI - Marschierende Kompanie [Company on the March]
(art) Made by: Pechstein, Max (artist) 1920
This etching is no. VI in the series
11 o'clock Parade : Guards' Depot
(art) Made by: Gross, Anthony (CBE) (RA) 1940
image: a square parade ground with groups of recruits taking part in various drilling exercises. Senior officers inspect the recruits. The square is surrounded by buildings that form the Barracks.