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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Royal Flying Corps
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: three photographic images are positioned centre right, centre left and lower centre, each held within narrow black borders. A further image is positioned upper centre. The title is separate and positioned across the top edge, in blue outlined...
Ordre de Mobilisation Générale [Order for General Mobilisation]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1914
whole: the image is positioned upper centre, with the title separate and below across the upper centre, in black. The text is separate and positioned across the top edge and in the lower half, in black. All set against a white background. image: two...
You Can Hit Back with Your Savings Too!
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the lower four-fifths. The title is separate and placed in the upper fifth, in black. The text is partially integrated and located in the lower fifth, in red, held within a blue inset. All set against a white background...
The Attack Begins in the Factory
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, held within a yellow border. The title and text are separate and positioned in the lower quarter, in black, set against a yellow background. image: a full-length depiction of a British infantryman...
Facts of the Fight for the Factory
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the upper half, held within an orange border. The title is separate and placed along the top edge, in white, set against a blue background. The text is separate and placed in the lower half, in black, and in white held...
Facts of the Fight for the Factory
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the upper half, held within an orange border. The title is separate and placed along the top edge, in white, set against a blue background. The text is separate and placed in the lower half, in black, and in white held...
Builders - You are Hitting Back
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the main image is positioned in the top left corner, with five other images placed one above another, down the right edge. The title is separate and positioned in the upper third, in orange and in black. The text is separate and placed in the...
Back Them Up!
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the upper three-quarters, held within a yellow border. The title and text are separate and placed in the lower third, in black, and set against a yellow background. image: a depiction of a group of British 'Commando'...
La Victoire du Droit [The Victory of Right]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918
whole: the six separate images are positioned down the centre, each held within a black border. The title is separate and positioned in the upper quarter, in red. The text is separate and occupies the remainder, in red and in black. Black borders divide...
Back Them Up!
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the upper three-quarters. The title and text are separate and placed in the lower third, in black. All set against a yellow background. image: full-length depictions of a group of British infantrymen charging into battle...