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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German Gunner and British Prisoners of War, Tripoli 1942
(art) Made by: Charlton, Arthur 1942
image: A sketch of a German gunner about to board a plane used to ferry British Prisoners of War to Italy. The pilot wears a parachute pack and a headphone set. He is standing on a wooden platform used for access to the aeroplane. There are a group of...
RSM E Gibson, Prisoner of War, Tripoli, 1942
(art) Made by: Charlton, Arthur 1942
image: A portrait sketch of a soldier wearing a cap, Sam Browne belt, and smoking a pipe.
Prisoner of War Hut, Tuturano, Italy 1943
(art) Made by: Charlton, Arthur 1943
image: The interior of a Prisoner of War hut, showing wooden bunk beds and the overcrowding. Figures occupy the beds and stand in the aisle between them.
Prisoner of War Hut, Tuturano, Italy 1943
(art) Made by: Charlton, Arthur 1943
image: A sketch of the interior of a Prisoner of War hut, showing wooden bunk beds. Three Prisoners of War lie on the upper bunks, the central figure talks to another man facing them. There are various personal belongings lying around, including a Red...
Prisoner of War, Tripoli 1942
(art) Made by: Charlton, Arthur 1942
image: A portrait sketch of a soldier wearing a woollen cap, possibly a South African Prisoner of War.
Sleeping Quarters, Tuturano Prisoner of War Camp, Italy 1943
(art) Made by: Charlton, Arthur 1943
image: A sketch of the interior of a Prisoner of War hut, with wooden bunk beds. In the left of the composition a soldier unpacks a Red Cross parcel. To his left a soldier lies on a bunk reading, and next to him another soldier sits on a pile of blankets...
The Cookhouse, Prisoner of War Camp, Bari, Italy 1943
(art) Made by: Charlton, Arthur 1943
image: A Prisoner of War camp. There are a group of white painted buidings with red tiles in the middle distance. There are several trees in front of the buildings, figures dotted around, and a donkey and cart on the left of the image.
Prisoner of War Camp, Bari, Italy, 1943
(art) Made by: Charlton, Arthur 1943
image: The interior of a building showing the Prisoner of War sleeping quarters at Bari. There is a view down the length of the building through two arched doorways. There are figures sitting on what appears to be wooden bunks, and others walking along...
Prisoner of War, Tuturano, Italy 1943
(art) Made by: Charlton, Arthur 1943
image: A portrait of a British Prisoner of War.
Sergeant-Major Brown, Prisoner of War, Italy 1943
(art) Made by: Charlton, Arthur 1943
image: A head and shoulder portrait sketch of a British Prisoner of War in uniform.