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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Monico, Peter John Emile (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1983-09-23
British officer served as adjutant with 7th Bn, King's Royal Rifle Corps in GB and North West Europe 1939-1940. Captured during defence of Calais, POW
Razzell, Alfred Charles (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1991
British NCO served with 8th Bn Royal Fusiliers in GB and on Western Front, 1914-1917; POW in Germany, 1917-1918
Davies Scourfield, Edward Grismond Beaumont 'Gris (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1982-10-13
British officer served with 2nd Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps in GB and France, 1938-1940 including defence of Calais, 5/1940; POW in Germany, 1940-1945
Lawrence, John Enoch (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1985
British serviceman taken German POW in 5/1940 near Boulogne, France. Held in Schubin, Poland. 1944 transferred to Fallingbostel, walked from Breslau on Silesia Death March, released April/1945
Moss, Edward George Bartholomew (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1983-04-12
British officer served as adjutant with 3rd Royal Tank Regt in North West Europe 1940; captured at Calais 5/1940, POW
Doe, Edward (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1983-12-21
British NCO served with 2nd Bn, King's Royal Rifle Corps in GB and North West Europe, 1939-1940. Captured at Calais, 26/5/1940
Phillips, Horace Cyril (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1983-05-09
British NCO served as NCO with 1st Bn, Welsh Guards in GB and North West Europe, 1934-1940. Captured in Cassel sector, ca 5/1940
Pardoe, Philip (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1982-12-13
British officer served with 2nd Bn, King's Royal Rifle Corps in GB and North West Europe 5/1940. Captured at Calais 26/5/1940: POW
Hoy, Denis Leslie (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1983-11-07
British private served with 7th Bn, King's Royal Rifle Corps in GB and North West Europe 1939-1940. Captured at Calais 5/1940: POW
Haynes, Philip Francis (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1983-11-01
British officer served with 4th Bn Royal West Kent Regt in GB and North West Europe 1932-1940. Captured at Morbecque 27/5/1940: POW