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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Savings Feed All War Machines
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
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Builders - You are Hitting Back
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the main image is positioned in the top left corner, with five other images placed one above another, down the right edge. The title is separate and positioned in the upper third, in orange and in black. The text is separate and placed in the...
Bones Wanted
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whole: the title and text are positioned across the whole, in red and in blue. All held within a red and blue border, and set against a white background. image: text only. text: BONES WANTED Bones make glue for aeroplanes and other essential war...
Bones for Fertilisers
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the lower three-quarters, with a smaller image placed in the lower left. The title is partially integrated and located in the upper half, in black-brown, in brown and in white. The text is separate and placed in the...
This is a Cow Who Smacked Her Lips...
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whole: the five images are positioned over the majority. The title and text are separate and placed beneath the images, as captions, in black. All set against a blue and white background. image: five stylised depictions of the British Isles. In the upper...
Extras for Expectant Mothers
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whole: the image is positioned in the upper half, with the Ministry of Food emblem placed in the lower left, both set against orange panels. The title is partially integrated and located in the upper quarter, in orange, in grey and in black. The text is...
Go To It Chum!
(posters) Made by: Little (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters. The title and text are integrated and placed in the upper quarter, in red and in blue. Further text is separate and located in the lower quarter, in white and in red, set against a black background. A...
Johan Nilsson
(posters) Made by: Pick, Beverley (artist) 1942
whole: the main image occupies the right two-thirds, with a smaller image positioned in the upper left. The title is separate and placed in the centre left, in black. The text is separate and occupies the lower left, in red. The title and text are set...
United Nations for Freedom from Want
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Plan and Grow for Winter
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