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

Food for Your Garden from Your Garden
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the six main images are positioned in the lower two-thirds, each held within a narrow black border. Another image is placed in the upper left. The title is separate and located in the upper quarter, in black and in brown. The text is separate and...
Lend a Hand on the Land at a Farming Holiday Camp
(posters) Made by: Evans, Eileen (artist) 1943
whole: the image, which incorporates white text and has a vignetted edge, fills the majority of the design. It is set on a plain white background. image: an oversized garden fork with a miniature scene resting on the tines, depicting volunteers...
Winter Meals from a Well-planned Plot
(posters) Made by: Henrion, Frederic Henri Kay (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority. The title is integrated and positioned across the top edge, in brown and in green. The main text is partially integrated and placed in the lower quarter, in black and in green. Further text is integrated and...
Dig For ... Plenty
(posters) Made by: Le Bon, Mary (artist)
No description available
'Off the Ration' Exhibition - Regents Park Zoo
(posters) Made by: MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (publisher/sponsor) 1939
whole: the image is positioned in the upper half with a line of red text at the top. Text, in red and black, is placed at the bottom with small lettering immediately beneath the image and the main title superimposed over large red lettering. image: a...
Dig for Victory
(posters) Made by: MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (publisher/sponsor)
whole: the image is placed in a central position with text, in black, in the top left and top right. Red text is positioned underneath and all is set against a plain white background. image: rear view of a small boy wearing a white hat, white shorts and...
Women's Land Army
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
PST 0127 is the mastrer copy of a large format version
County Garden Produce Committee
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1947
Central panel is blank for local information
Lend a Hand on the Land
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1945
E/45 One of a series of posters using the same design - master copies PST 20629, PST 20631, PST 20633, PST 20635
Lend a Hand on the Land
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1945
D/45 One of a series of posters using the same design - master copies PST 20629, PST 20631, PST 20633, PST 20635