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

The Effects of Over-cooking and Keeping Hot
(posters) Made by: George Him & Jan Le Witt 'Lewitt-Him' (artist)
whole: The image fills the majority of the design, with text in red and black positioned at the bottom. image: A chimney with smoke in the shape of vegetables rising into the air. text: THE EFFECTS OF OVER-COOKING AND KEEPING HOT. Vitamin value,...
In the Orchard (An Impression). France, 15th November 1916
(art) Made by: Anderson, William McDougall 1916-11-15
image: a small, loose sketch of an orchard, with most of the trees appearing to be saplings.
Ministry of Food Sugar ration card
(souvenirs and ephemera) 1918
No description available
Our Country First - If Spruce Will Win the War, the Kaiser's Licked
(posters) Made by: Allen, E T (artist)
No description available
Step On It! Dig For Victory Now!
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
image: A foot digging with a spade text: Step on it! Dig Now - Don't Delay - Get your garden ready to grow your own vegetables - especially the kinds you can store. Apply to your local Council for an allotment and dig with all your might. Vegetables...
Save a Loaf a Week - Help Win the War
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918
design: loaf of bread and serrated bread knife lying across the face of a freshly sliced crust. Upper left the emblem of the US Food Administration - the US shield of arms enclosed by ears of corn text: "UNITED STATES FOOD ADMINISTRATION" (upper left...
House Manager
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1917
No description available
Save the Meat for the Boys at the Front
(posters) Made by: Britton, L N (artist) 1918
design: still-life, comprising fish and lemon on platter, cooked turkey, slice of cheese and bowl of eggs. At lower left corner the emblem of the US Food Administration - the heraldic shield of the USA enclosed by ears of corn named (centre right) : "L N...