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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On Reçoit ici [We Receive Here]
(posters) Made by: Bertrand, Pierre (artist) 1917
whole: the title is placed across the top in black against an orange horizontal band. Further text is positioned down the left, in black, with the image located on the right. A second orange band extends along the bottom edge. image: a Romanian POW...
P.O.W. Gives Lecture On History
(art) Made by: Kenner, George 1915-11-01
image: a man stands on a theatre stage, in front of him a second man sits at a table writing. There is a third man sitting to his right with the safety curtain in the background. The audience can be seen in the foreground.
P.O.W. Concert Band-Sunday Evenings
(art) Made by: Kenner, George 1915-10-31
image: a conductor conducting an orchestra on stage at the theatre in Alexandra Palace.
Skating Rink Converted To Sleeping Quarters
(art) Made by: Kenner, George 1916
image: a view from a balcony at the end of the unrecognisable skating rink, looking down on to several rows of beds, each row divided by partitions covered with clothing and other personal belongings. A guard is patrolling on the balcony opposite.
POW Morning Recreation October 1915
(art) Made by: Kenner, George 1915-10-01
image: a view looking up the hill towards Alexandra Palace. The lawn is full of prisoners strolling, lying on the grass or reading newspapers. In the foreground one prisoner is standing on a rug exercising, wearing only socks and shorts.
Counting-In at Five O'Clock
(art) Made by: Kenner, George 1915-11-04
image: Prisoners of War line up to go back in to Alexandra Palace, watched by the guards.
Sunday Morning Divine Service
(art) Made by: Kenner, George 1915-11-01
image: a priest stands on a theatre stage in front of a make-shift alter with candles. He is surrounded by kneeling figures. The congregation watch from the stalls.
Recreation Grounds Divided Into Battalions by Wire Fence
(art) Made by: Kenner, George 1915-10-26
image: a view looking across the hill which has been divided vertically into sections using barbed wire fencing. Prisoners of War stroll around in each section beneath the trees.
Recreation Grounds Divided Into Battalions by Wire Fence
(art) Made by: Kenner, George 1915-11-03
image: a view looking up at Alexandra Palace with Prisoners of War walking alongside a barbed wire fence with a sentry box in the foreground.
P.O.W. Tailor Worshop In Hallway
(art) Made by: Kenner, George 1915-11-02
image: a man wearing a cap and jacket stands with a tailor in a corridor examining some pattern books, under a sign in German advertising the company. Behind them finished work parcels hang on the wall. On the other side of the corridor there are tailors...