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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Wollaston, Alan Arthur (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1991-03-07
British NCO served with 3rd Royal Tank Regt at Calais, France, Greece and North Africa, 1940-1941; served with Headquarters, 10th Armoured Brigade in North Africa, 1942-1943; served with Headquarters, 29th Armoured Brigade in North West Europe, 1944
Webb, Gordon Geoffrey Henry (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1989-05-07
British officer served with 4 Commando in GB, during Lofotens Raid in Norway, Dieppe Raid in France and in North West Europe, 1940-1945
Kennett, Kenneth Cecil (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1989-08-03
British NCO served with 4 Commando in GB during Lofotens Raid in Norway, during Boulogne and Dieppe Raids in France and in North West Europe, 1940-1945
Behrens, Hans (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1994-06-10
German signaller served with German Air Force and 9th Panzer Div in North West Europe, 1944-1945; POW in US and GB, 1945-1946
Gibbons, Harry (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2001-11-08
British NCO served with Glider Pilot Regt in GB and North West Europe, 1944-1945; POW in Stalag 357, Fallingbostel, Germany, 1945
Newhouse, Frank (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2001-12-13
British private served with Parachute Regt at Arnhem, Netherlands, 9/1944. Captured by Germans. POW in Germany and Czechoslovakia, 1944-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Army Film and Photographic Unit TYY 005 F37 (Production company) 1944-09-30
German prisoners marching single file on rough ground, some talking, Calais, France, 1944
recording
(sound) Made by: Army Film and Photographic Unit TYY 004 F36 (Production company) 1944-09-30
German prisoners marching out of step and talking, Calais, France, 1944
recording
(sound) Made by: Army Film and Photographic Unit TYY 004 F34 (Production company) 1944-09-30
German prisoners marching out of step, halting, talking, Calais, France, 1944
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]