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: nnn (recorder) 1963
British NCO held as POW in Germany, 1915-1918
recording
(sound) Made by: nnn (recorder) 1963
British NCO served as despatch rider on Western Front, 1914; POW in Erfurt, Goettingen, Cassel and Soltau Camps, Germany, 1914-1918
recording
(sound) Made by: BBC (Production company) 1963
British signaller served aboard HMS Indefatigable during Battle of Jutland, 31/5/1916
recording
(sound) Made by: BBC (Production company) 1963
British private served with B Coy, 2nd Bn Queen's Own Royal West Kents in Mesopotamia, 1915-1916; present during siege of Kut-el- Amara, 5/12/1915-29/4/1916; POW in Turkey, 1916
recording
(sound) Made by: BBC (Production company) 1964
German officer served with 36th Prussian Div on Western Front, 1917-1918
recording
(sound) Made by: BBC (Production company) 1964
British NCO served with 1st Bn Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in Mesopotamia, 1915-1916; present at siege of Kut-el-amara, 12/1915-4/1916; POW in Turkey, 1916-1918.
recording
(sound) Made by: Montagu (Production company) 1952-12
American Marine Corps officer commanded 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Korea 1952, shot down 8/7/1952 and taken POW [Chinese propaganda recording about US bacteriological bombing of North Korea]
recording
(sound) Made by: Montagu (Production company) 1952-12
American Marine Corps officer served with Marine Aircraft Group in Korea 1952, shot down 8/7/1952 and taken POW [Propaganda recording about US bacteriological bombing of North Korea]