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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HMS Mauritius : Bathing July 1944
(art) Made by: Bone, Stephen 1944-07-01
image: two officers watch as the sailors swim and dive into the sea. There is land in the distance and several other boats moored nearby.
4 Inch Gun on Asdic Trawler, HMS Southern Star
(art) Made by: Bone, Stephen
image: a manned gun emplacement on a trawler. Two men are loading the gun while two others are looking out to sea. An officer is facing the other way with a pair of binoculars. There is a hilly coastline in the background.
HMS Truant
(art) Made by: Bone, Stephen 1942
image: two sailors stand on the deck of HMS Truant which is only partially visible. In the distance there is a fishing boat at anchor and a small island on the horizon.
HM Rescue Tug Samsonia : the 20 inches manilla cable
(art) Made by: Bone, Stephen 1944
image: Seven sailors grappling with a thick cable on the deck of a rescue tug. Most of the cable is placed in a circle on the deck, but parts of it snake between two horizontal slats that cross over the deck of the vessel.
The Look-out, Day. ML 558
(art) Made by: Dodd, Francis (RA) 1918-11-01
image: a sailor stands on deck at the rail, looking out to sea.
The Cook at the Galley Hatch, ML 280
(art) Made by: Dodd, Francis (RA) 1918-11-01
image: a half length sketch portrait of a young sailor emerging from a hatch in the deck. Behind, a rowing boat sits on the stern and other vessels are in the distance.
Repairing the Auxiliary Engine, ML 558
(art) Made by: Dodd, Francis (RA)
image: a left profile three quarter length view of an engineer working on an engine with a hand tool.
The Finished Log. ML 105
(art) Made by: Dodd, Francis (RA) 1918-11-01
image: a naval officer sits in an enclosed space, perhaps the ward room, with the pages of a log laid out on a table before him.
Fo'c's'le, ML 558
(art) Made by: Dodd, Francis (RA)
image: a group portrait of seven sailors in small cabin areas, relaxing in various poses.
Fo'c's'le, ML 105
(art) Made by: Dodd, Francis (RA) 1918-11-01
image: a group portrait of six crew relaxing. All are sitting on benches or at a table, and one is playing a card game.