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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Rats and Pilferers
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the image is positioned in the central third. The title and text are separate and placed in the upper quarter, in red, and in the lower half, in black. All set against a white background. image: a stylised depiction of a rat. text: RATS AND...
Great Britain's War Effort - Number Four
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1945-06
whole: the image is positioned in the lower three-quarters, held within a brown border. The title is separate and placed in the upper quarter, in blue and orange. The main text is integrated and located in the lower three-quarters, in blue. Further text...
This Man Is Not Your Mate
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the image is positioned in the upper half. The title and text are separate and positioned in the lower half, in red and in black. Further text is integrated and located in the upper centre, held within a speech bubble. All set against a white...
Help British Guiana to Work for Victory
(posters) Made by: Nunney
whole: the image is positioned in the upper three-quarters, held within a grey border. The title and text are separate and located in the lower quarter, in red. All set against a white background. image: a shoulder-length depiction of a British Guianan...
Your Help Will Bring Victory
(posters) Made by: Nunney
whole: the image is positioned in the upper four-fifths, held within a black border. The title is separate and located in the lower quater, in black. All set against a white background. image: a three-quarter length depiction of an Indian man cutting...
Dig for Victory
(posters) Made by: Nunney
whole: the four images are positioned in the upper three-quarters. The title is separate and located in the lower quarter, in red. The text is separate and placed in the upper third and lower quarter, in black. All set against a white background. image:...
Crack for Victory
(posters) Made by: Nunney
whole: the four images are positioned in the upper three-quarters. The title is separate and located in the lower quarter, in red. The text is separate and placed in the upper third and lower quarter, in black. All set against a white background. image:...
Tap for Victory
(posters) Made by: Nunney
whole: the four images are positioned in the upper four-fifths, held within grey and black borders. The title is separate and located along the bottom edge, in black. The text is separate and placed beneath each image as a caption, in black. All set...
Milk, Hides and Skins of Nigeria
(posters) Made by: Okoye, Frederick
whole: the image occupies the majority, held within a black border. The title is separate and positioned along the bottom edge left, in black. image: a scene set in a Nigerian village. In the centre, a man milks a cow; several women then carry the milk...
It Takes This to Bring the Food You're Eating
(posters) Made by: Pluck, J Hedley 1942-04
whole: the image occupies the majority. The title and text are integrated and placed in the upper fifth and lower quarter, in black. All set against a white background. image: a full-length depiction of a member of the Merchant Navy. He stands, leaning...