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: Boulting, Roy (recorder) 1944-11-16
German propaganda broadcast on Radio Arnhem relaying 'Jerry Calling' programme from Bremen with music and mock humour aimed at distressing troops and letters from six named Allied POWs commenting on conditions 1944 [in English]
recording
(sound) Made by: Boulting, Roy (recorder) 1944-11-16
German propaganda broadcast on Radio Arnhem announcing rules of essay competition for British prisoners in Stalag 20B, 11/1944 [in English]
6.Just An Ordinary Bunch Of Women
(sound) Made by: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Production company) 1984-07-15
'Just an ordinary bunch of women': compilation comprising recollections of Australian women with the Australian Army Nursing Service, POWs of Japanese in Sumatra and Japan 1942-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Windfall Films (Production company) 1999-11-04
German guard at Oflag 4 C, Colditz and local civilian living nearby
recording
(sound) Made by: Unknown (interviewee/speaker) 1939-09-19
American correspondent's account of meeting British airmen in German captivity following raid on Kiel, Germany, 9/1939
recording
(sound) Made by: Unknown (interviewee/speaker) 1942-04-12
British soldier on experiences as prisoner of war, 1942
Just An Ordinary Bunch Of Women
(sound) Made by: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Production company) 1984-07-15
Australian women with the Australian Army Nursing Service, POWs of Japanese in Sumatra and Japan 1942-1945.
recording
(sound) Made by: Unknown (interviewee/speaker) 1945-06-25
British officer took part in St Nazaire raid 3/1942
Face to Face With Rommel
(sound) Made by: Unknown (interviewee/speaker) 1943-05-24
British Royal marine commando officer on raid at Bardia, Libya 20/4/1941; captured by Germans, met Rommel
recording
(sound) Made by: Unknown (interviewee/speaker) 1943-12-03
British prisoners of war escape through German lines in Italy 1943