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: BBC Radio Kent (Production company) 1990
British driver served in France May-6/1940, captured and POW of Germans
recording
(sound) Made by: BBC Radio Kent (Production company) 1989
German Jewish civilian schoolchild from Stuttgart, refugee to GB 4/1939, brought up by Quaker family in Hull. Volunteered for British, served with East Kent Regt in Ashford and Dover, Kent on intelligence work with German and Italian POWs
recording
(sound) Made by: BBC Radio Kent (Production company) 1990
British soldier served with 6th Bn Royal West Kent Regt in France Apr-6/1940, captured and POW of Germans
recording
(sound) Made by: BBC Radio Kent (Production company)
British airman shot down over Europe, POW in Germany 1944-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: BBC Radio Kent (Production company) 1989
British soldier served with Scots Guards in GB, North Africa and Italy 1939-1944; captured at Anzio and POW in Italy and Germany 1944-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: BBC Radio Kent (Production company)
British civilian mother in Bredhurst, Kent 1939-1945; wife of British soldier abroad and POW; friendship with German POW
recording
(sound) Made by: BBC Radio Kent (Production company)
British soldier served with Irish Guards in France 5/1940; wounded and POW of Germans 1939-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: BBC Radio Kent (Production company) 1989
British soldier served with 5th Bn East Kent Regt (Buffs) in France 1940, captured near Dunkirk and POW of Germans in Germany 1940-1945