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

Dieppe
(art) Made by: Orpen, William 1917
image: A view of the Café des Tribunaux, Dieppe. There are French soldiers seated around tables outstide underneath the awning, and more soldiers sitting on the balcony. In the bottom left a group of German prisoners of war are being marched into the...
A French Prisoner-of-War
(art) Made by: Ainsworth, Edgar
image: A prisoner sits slumped in a large overcoat, staring out of the frame. His legs are outstretched and his hands are clasped in his lap.
Prisoners-of-War in a Cellar, Tauberbischofsheim
(art) Made by: Ainsworth, Edgar
image: A group of seven uniformed prisoners of war are sitting around in the corner of a cell. In the background there is a small, barred window. One of the prisoners is standing, looking out, another has turned to look at the artist.
A Liberated French Prisoner in Tauberbischofsheim
(art) Made by: Ainsworth, Edgar
image: A prisoner stands facing the viewer with his hands in his pockets. He wears a cap and his uniform is crumpled. He has a cigarette in the corner of his mouth.
Prisoners At Blechhammer
(art) Made by: Spira, Wilhelm 1944
image: a group of prisoners in yellow and blue uniforms being marched onwards by guard in a black coat. They are followed by a group of French POWs and a group of Jewish prisoners.
Le Trophée
(art) Made by: Job
image: a wounded French cavalryman on horseback brandishes a captured German flag, leaning on a British cavalryman also on horseback beside him, his horse's bridle held by a Belgian infantryman on foot. On the road behind them is a column of French...
Le Trophée
(art) Made by: Job
image: a wounded French cavalryman on horseback brandishes a captured German flag, leaning on a British cavalryman also on horseback beside him, his horse's bridle held by a Belgian infantryman on foot. On the road behind them is a column of French...
Impressions d'Exil
(sound) Made by: Conseil General do la Somme (Production company) 1991
Music entitled 'Impressions d'Exil' composed by French soldier and composer wounded in Aisne, France, 1915 and POW in Poland and Germany, 1915-1919. Performed by Orchestre Symphonique d'Europe for Historial de la Grande Guerre, Peronne, France
Les types boches
(art) Made by: Payne, C J 1915
image: A German NCO stands in the foreground reading something from a sheet of paper in his hand to a line of German soldiers, standing on the left. The German soldiers all wear greatcoats and are prisoners of war. A French infantryman stands to the...