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: Barraclough Carey (Production company) 1992
British NCO served with 8th Bn Royal Fusiliers in GB and on the Western Front, 1914-1917. POW in Germany, 1917-1918
recording
(sound) Made by: Barraclough Carey (Production company) 1992
British serviceman wounded and captured at Arnhem, 9/1944. POW in Germany, 1944-1945.
Channel 4: The Battle of Goose Green
(sound) Made by: Barraclough Carey/Channel 4 (Production company) 1996
Argentine officer served with Argentinian Army units at battle of Darwin Hill during Falklands/Malvinas war 1982 [In Spanish; English typescript]
Channel 4: The Battle of Goose Green
(sound) Made by: Barraclough Carey/Channel 4 (Production company) 1996
Argentinian soldier served with Argentine Army units at battle of Darwin Hill during Falklands/Malvinas war, 1982 [In Spanish; English typescript]
Channel 4: The Battle of Goose Green
(sound) Made by: Barraclough Carey/Channel 4 (Production company) 1996
Argentinian officer served with Argentine Army units at battle of Darwin Hill during Falklands/Malvinas war, 1982 [In Spanish; English typescript]
Channel 4: The Battle of Goose Green
(sound) Made by: Barraclough Carey/Channel 4 (Production company) 1996
Argentinian commander of Argentine Army units at Darwin and Goose Green during Falklands/Malvinas war 1982 [In Spanish; English typescript]
Channel 4: The Battle of Goose Green
(sound) Made by: Barraclough Carey/Channel 4 (Production company) 1996
Argentinian soldier served with Argentine units at battle of Darwin Hill during Falklands/Malvinas war, 1982 [In Spanish; English typescript]
Channel 4: The Battle of Goose Green
(sound) Made by: Barraclough Carey/Channel 4 (Production company) 1996
Argentinian soldier served with Argentine Army units at battle of Darwin Hill during Falklands/Malvinas war, 1982 [In Spanish; English typescript]
recording
(sound) Made by: Barraclough Carey (Production company) 1992
British NCO served as navigator with 10 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1943; POW in Germany, 1943-1945