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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Collections search

Cultivation on a Slope
(posters) Made by: Brosky 1945-09
whole: the image is positioned in the lower three-quarters. The title is separate and placed in the upper quarter, in red, held within a yellow and green scroll design. The text is separate and located in the lower third, in green and black, held within...
Animals Need Enough Food
(posters) Made by: Brosky 1945-09
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set against a white background. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in brown. The main text is separate and placed in the lower quarter, in black held within a white inset, and...
Good Grazing
(posters) Made by: Brosky 1945-09
whole: the image is positioned in the upper three-quarters. The title is separate and placed in the upper quarter, in green. The text is separate and located in the upper quarter, in white, and in the lower quarter, in brown and in black. All set against...
An African Farm in Hilly Country
(posters) Made by: Brosky 1945-09
whole: the image occupies the whole. The title is integrated and positioned in the lower quarter, in brown and green. The text is integrated and placed across the top edge, in black. All set against a white background. image: a depiction of an African...
Andikia Askari Kila Mwezi [Write to a Soldier Every Month]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1944-11
whole: the four images occupy the majority, each held within a narrow black border. The title is separate and positioned in the upper quarter, in red and blue. The text is separate and located beneath each image, in black. All set against a white...
Sheria Tatu za Ukulima [Three Laws of Agriculture]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the three images are positioned in the lower two-thirds. The title and text are separate and located in the upper third and lower half, in black. The images and main text are held within black borders. All set against a white background. image:...
Women of Kenya - It's Up to You
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the fourteen images are positioned in the upper three-quarters, at the edges, partially held within narrow black borders. The title and text are separate and placed across the majority, in black and in red, partially held within a red border. All...
Trees are Wealth
(posters) Made by: Unknown 1945-09
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set against an orange background. The title is separate and positioned in the lower quarter, in green. The text is separate and placed in the lower quarter, in black, held within an orange inset, and in...
Lima Kukingama Mtelemko [Cultivate Across the Slope]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the main image occupies the lower third, held within a black border. Two smaller images are positioned in the upper half. The title is separate and placed across the bottom edge, in black. The text is separate and located in the upper half, in...
Jinsi Kodi ya Serikali Inavyotumiwa [How Government Tax is Used]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the four images are positioned in the upper quarter and down the right third, each held within a black border. The title and text are separate and placed in the centre left, lower left and across the bottom edge, in black. All set against a white...