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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recording
(sound) Made by: Railton Harris, John V (Production company) 1982
British civilian from Dumbarton, Scotland married to Norwegian sailor, lived in Norway 1945-1950
recording
(sound) Made by: Railton Harris, John V (Production company) 1983
Norwegian civilian student in Drammen, radio operator in Milorg resistance during German occupation 1940-1945; imprisoned in Germany
recording
(sound) Made by: Railton Harris, John V (Production company) 1982
Norwegian civilian schoolboy in Tromso, Norway during German occupation 1940-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Railton Harris, John V (Production company) 1982
Norwegian civilians, teacher and radio operator for Milorg, in Norway during German occupation 1940-1945 [partly in Norwegian]
recording
(sound) Made by: Railton Harris, John V (Production company) 1982
Norwegian civilian active in resistance 1940-1943 and arrested in Korshammer in 1943 during German occupation; imprisoned in Germany [Recorded in Norwegian; typescript in English]
recording
(sound) Made by: Railton Harris, John V (Production company) 1983
Norwegian civilian supporter of Milorg in Norway arrested in 1942 during German occupation 1940-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Railton Harris, John V (Production company) 1982
Six Norwegian civilians, lived in Lillehammer during German occupation 1940-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Railton Harris, John V (Production company) 1982
Norwegian civilian teacher and Milorg District 23 Leader in Gudbrundsal, Norway during German occupation 1943-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Railton Harris, John V (Production company) 1981
Norwegian civilian student in Lillehammer, Norway during German occupation 1940-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Railton Harris, John V (Production company) 1981
Norwegian civilians (two couples) in Bodo, Norway during German occupation 1940-1945