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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Worsley, John (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1978
British civilian artist served as midshipman aboard HMS Laurentic on Northern Patrol, 1939-1940; officer served aboard HMS Lancaster in Atlantic, 1940-1941 and aboard HMS Devonshire in Indian Ocean and Mediterranean, 1941-1943; served with Special...
recording
(sound) Made by: Lane, Tony (Production company) 1988
British civilian worked as bell-boy and waiter aboard Merchant Navy passenger ships in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, 1933-1939; served with Merchant Navy in Atlantic and Mediterranean, 1939-1942; survived sinking of HMHS Gloucester Castle in south...
recording
(sound) Made by: BBC T28047 (Production company) 1940-02-23
Speech by British First Lord of the Admiralty at London Guildhall luncheon for officers and men of HMS Ajax and HMS Exeter, 23/Feb/1940. Battle of River Plate tributes. Rescue of British POWs from Altmark by HMS Cossack "...amid the tangles of one-sided...
Zarod, Kazimierz Adam (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1991-02-12
Polish civilian worked as civil servant in Poland, 1939; inmate in Labour Camps 21 and 17, Pechova, Russia, 1940-1941; private served with Polish Army in Russia and Persia, 1941-1942
recording
(sound) Made by: Lane, Tony (Production company) 1988
British civilian seaman served on Duquesa, captured by Admiral Scheer, 1940; POW in Bordeaux and Milag Nord 1940-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Lane, Tony (Production company) 1988
British civilian seaman on Mopan, sunk 10/1940 and POW in Marlag, 1940-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Lane, Tony (Production company) 1988
British civilian galley boy on Berengaria and chef on T124 duties on Andania, sunk in Denmark Straits, 6/1940; also served on Queen Elizabeth carrying troops and POWs worldwide 1941-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Lane, Tony (Production company) 1988
British civilian bosun's mate on Laconia 1939 and Scythia 1940; sunk on Laconia 1942 and taken prisoner of war; received disabled discharge c1942
recording
(sound) Made by: Lane, Tony (Production company) 1988
British civilian third mate on Athelking, sunk in 1939; POW on Yugoslavian ship Durmitor and in Italian Somaliland 1939-1941; served on Clare Lilley in Atlantic convoy, sunk off Halifax 1942; served on Empire Ray and Erin on Atlantic, Mediterranean and...
recording
(sound) Made by: Lane, Tony (Production company) 1988
British civilian apprentice on Scientist, sunk in 1939; POW on Yugoslav ship Durmitor and in Merca camp, Italian Somaliland, 1940-1941; also served on Barrister, sunk in Mediterranean 1943; also served on Director, including witness of enemy raid on Bari...