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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Falck, Wolfgang Julius Feodor (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1990-03
German officer cadet trained as pilot with Kameradschaft 31 in Russia, 1932; officer served as instructor with German Air Force in Germany 1934-1936; served with JG 132 ‘Richthofen’ in Germany, 1936-1938; commanded 2/ZG 76 in Germany and Poland, 1938-...
Wilson, Thomas Henry (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1990-04-05
British medical officer served with 21st British General Hospital in France, 1940; POW in Stalag IX C, Hildburghausen, Oflag IX A/H, Spangenburg, Stalag VIII B, Lamsdorf and Stalag VII C, Memingen, Germany, 1940-1945
Lane, Robert Cowley (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1989-06-24
British private served with 7th Bn, King's Royal Rifle Corps in GB and North West Europe, 1939-1940; POW in Germany and Poland, 1940-1945
Gwillim, Richard (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1989-08-03
British gunner served with 155 Field Regt, Royal Artillery in GB, France and Malaya, 1940-1942; POW in Singapore, 1942 including surviving Alexandra Hospital massacre, 2/1942
Hackforth-Jones, Paul (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1993-08-28
British officer served with Middlesex Yeomanry attached to 22nd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery in France and Belguim, 1940; served with Sudan Defence Force Signals in East Africa, 1940-1941; staff officer served with Headquarters, 8th Army...
Topliss, Arthur Harold (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1991-06-13
British driver mechanic served with Royal Tank Corps in GB, 1934-1937; NCO served with 4th Royal Tank Regiment in GB, France and North Africa, 1939-1942; POW in Camp PG 70, Monteurano, Italy, Stalag IV, Muhlberg and Stalag 357, Fallingbostel, Germany,...
IWM interview
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1984
British officer served with 29 Sqdn Royal Flying Corps on Western Front, 1917; POW in Germany, 1917-1918. Served as Head of Air Staff Department, Secret Intelligence Service in London, 1929-1945
Escape to Ballachulish
(sound) Made by: Wilson, James (interviewee/speaker) 1940-08-06
British private's account of his escape after being captured by Germans in France, 1940
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) 1945-06-25
British officer took part in St Nazaire raid 3/1942