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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Eaton, Tom (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1996
British officer served with 4th Bn Royal Norfolk Regt in GB and Singapore, Malaya, 1936-1942; POW in Singapore, Malaya, 1942-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Carlton Productions (Production company) 2001
American officer served with US Army in Pacific, 1941-1942, including Bataan death march; POW of Japanese, 1942-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Morris, Eric (Production company) 1980
American NCO in HQ Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group and 2nd lieutenant, Provisional Infantry Bn, Army Air Corps in Philippines, 1941-1942; POW in Japan 1942-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Morris, Eric (Production company) 1980
American NCO served with Army Air Corps in Philippines, 1941-1942; POW in Japan 1942-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Morris, Eric (Production company) 1980
American adjutant of 2nd Bn, 57th Infantry Regt Philippine Scouts, North Luzon Force and Bataan Defence Force, 1941-1942; wounded 1941 and POW in Japan 1942-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Morris, Eric (Production company) 1980
American gunner served with 59th Coastal Artillery Corps in Philippines, 1941-1942; POW in Japan, 1942-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Morris, Eric (Production company) 1980
American NCO served with 2nd Bn, 31st Infantry Regt, and quartermaster sergeant with Philippine Scouts in Philippines, 1941-1942; POW in Philippines and Japan, 1942-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Morris, Eric (Production company) 1980
American NCO in 1st Marine Defence Bn (Cavite Marines) in Philippines, 1941-1942; POW in Japan 1942-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Morris, Eric (Production company) 1980
American NCO served with 194th Tank Bn, California National Guard in Philippines, 1941-1942; POW in Japan, 1942-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Morris, Eric (Production company) 1980
American private served with 19th Bombardment Group, Army Air Corps from Clarke and Del Monte Fields, Philippines 1941-1942; POW in Japan 1942-1945