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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Notley, William Ronald (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1996-05-03
British gunner served as driver with 155th Field Regt, Royal Artillery in Malaya, 1941-1942; POW in Changi Jail, Singapore, Kinkaseki Camp, Taiwan and 6 Branch Camp, Omine Coal Mine, Yamaguchi, Japan, 1942-1945
Carter, Francis Edward (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1999-02-11
British private served with 1st Bn Gloucestershire Regt in Korea, 1950-1951; POW in North Korea, 1951-1953
Benson, Barbara (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1995-12-11
British civilian in GB, 1939-1945; married American serviceman and emigrated to US, 1946
Biglin, Charles Peter Joseph (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1993-11-09
British civilian schoolchild in Hull and Market Weighton, GB, 1939-1945
Munn, George Arthur (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1993-01-17
British civilian schoolchild and civilian in Longfield, GB, 1939-1945; NCO served with Pioneer Corps in GB, 1945-1947
Rossi, Gaetano (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1992-11-23
Italian priest interned in Worth Mill, Whitchurch and Metropol Internment Camps in GB, 1940; parish priest in Glasgow, GB, 1940-1945
Gibson, William Alexander (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1996-09-26
British NCO served with 1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Berlin, Germany, 1949-1950; served with 1st Bn Royal Ulster Rifles in Korea, 1951; POW in North Korea, 1951-1953
Miller, Lettice (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1994-08
British schoolchild in Gloucestershire, GB, 1914-1918; civilian served with Women's Land Army and volunteer helper with POW's parcels in Hampshire, GB, 1939-1945
Dale, Stephen (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1994-08-26
German Jewish civilian imprisoned in Sachsenhausen camp, 1938; emigrated to GB, 1939; refugee in GB, 1939-1940; internee in GB and Hay Camp, Australia, 1940-1942; private served with Pioneer Corps in GB, 1942-1944; served with Special Operations...
Biglin, Agnes Nancy (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1993-11-09
British civilian schoolchild in Hull, GB, 1939-1945