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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Food - Don't Waste It
(posters) Made by: F G C (artist)
whole: the title and text are positioned across the whole, in black and in red, set against a white background. image: text only. text: Food 1 - buy it with thought 2 - cook it with care 3 - use less wheat and meat 4 - serve just enough 5 - use what is...
She Helps her Boy to Save Ships
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority, with the title integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in orange outlined white and brown. The text is separate and positioned in text panels in the lower right, in white, and across the bottom edge, in...
She Helps her Boy to Victory
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority, with the title integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in red outlined brown. The text is separate and positioned in text panels in the lower right, in white, and across the bottom edge, in brown and in...
The Nation's S.O.S.
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1917-12
whole: the image is positioned in the upper centre, with the title and text occupying the remainder, in black and in red. All set against a white background. image: an anchor emblem, with the words 'National Safety' inscribed on a scroll beneath. text:...
I Risked my Life to Bring you Food
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority, held within an orange border. The title and text are separate and positioned in a white text panel in the lower left, in orange outlined black, and in black. Further text is separate and positioned across the top...
Save or Starve
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1917-12
whole: the image is positioned in the centre, with two smaller images positioned in the upper left and upper right, held within narrow black borders. The title and text are partially integrated and positioned across the majority, in black. All set...
Food Economy
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1917-11
whole: the image occupies the majority. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper centre, in black. The text is separate and positioned in the lower quarter, in black. All set against a white background. image: a depiction of an anchor. text:...
League of National Safety
(posters) Made by: League of National Safety (publisher/sponsor)
whole: the image is positioned in the left half, with the title separate and positioned in the upper half, in brown. The text is separate and positioned in the lower left, in brown and in brown cursive script. Further text is integrated and positioned in...