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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Red Cross or Iron Cross
(posters) Made by: Wilson, David & W F B (artist)
whole: title placed across the top edge, in black and in red. The image occupies the upper half, held within a narrow black border. The text is arranged over the lower half, in black and in red, set against a flecked green background. image: a German...
German Words and German Deeds
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the title is positioned along the top edge, in red. The text is positioned across the remainder, in red and black, held within a series of narrow red borders. All set against a white background. image: text only. text: 23. GERMAN WORDS AND GERMAN...
Your Tanks in Action
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the four images are positioned in the lower three-quarters, each held within a narrow black border. The title is separate and positioned in the upper quarter, in black. The text is separate and placed in the lower three-quarters, also in black. A...
Your Tanks in Action
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the four images are positioned in the lower three-quarters, each held within a narrow black border. The title is separate and positioned in the upper quarter, in black. The text is separate and placed in the lower three-quarters, also in black....
Your Bombers in Action
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the four images are positioned in the lower three-quarters, each held within a narrow black border. A shield featuring a man holding a spear, a palm tree and a Union Flag is placed in the lower right, held within a black circular border. The title...
Your Bombers in Action
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the four images are positioned in the lower three-quarters, each held within a narrow black border. A badge featuring an elephant and a tree is placed in the lower right, held within a black circular border. The title and main text are separate...
War Pictorial - British Commandos Land at Dawn
(posters) Made by: Unknown 1944
whole: the six images occupy the majority, each held within a white border. The title is separate and positioned across the top edge, in black, held within a red inset. The subtitle and text are separate and placed at the centre and centre right, in...
War Pictorial - German Warriors - Myth and Reality
(posters) Made by: Unknown 1944
whole: the 11 images occupy the majority, with 8 images held within a white border. The title is separate and positioned across the top edge, in black, held within a red inset. The subtitle and text are separate and placed in the upper centre and lower...
War Pictorial - The Master Race
(posters) Made by: Unknown 1944
whole: the seven images occupy the majority, some held within white borders. The title is separate and positioned across the top edge, in black, held within a red inset. The text is separate and placed in the upper left and with each image as a caption,...