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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Sammelt die Obstkerne [Collect Fruit Stones]
(posters) Made by: Gipkens, Julius (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the right half. The title and text are separate and placed in the upper three-quarters, in yellow. Further text is separate and located along the bottom edge left and bottom edge centre, in black. The image, title and...
Pflanzt Öl! [Plant Oil!]
(posters) Made by: Gipkens, Julius (artist)
whole: the image occupies the whole, with the title and text integrated and positioned at the centre, in white. image: the title and text are inscribed upon a sign which is placed in a field of poppies and sunflowers. A bird sits upon the sign and sings...
Pflanzt Öl! [Plant Oil!]
(posters) Made by: Gipkens, Julius (artist)
whole: the image occupies the whole, with the title and text integrated and positioned at the centre, in yellow. image: the title and text are inscribed upon a sign which is placed in a field of poppies and sunflowers. A bird sits upon the sign and sings...
Sammelt Obstkerne zur Oelgewinnung! [Collect Fruit Stones for Oil Production!]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1917
whole: the title is positioned in the upper third, in red gothic script. The text occupies the remainder, in black gothic script, with some text held within a red border. All set against a white background. image: text only. text: Sammelt Obstkerne zur...
Sammerlt Obstkerne für Ölegewinnung [Collect Fruit Stones to Extract Oil]
(posters) Made by: Gipkens, Julius (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the lower two-thirds. The title is separate and placed in the upper third, in white and light blue. The text is separate and located in the lower quarter, in light blue. A white text inset with a yellow border is...
Fischer, Schafft Tran Heran! [Fishermen, Bring Train Oil!]
(posters) Made by: Gipkens, Julius (artist) 1917
whole: hole: the image occupies the upper two-thirds, with the title separate and positioned in the lower quarter, in white gothic script. The text is separate and located in the lower quarter, in white and in grey gothic script. image: a seal turning to...