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 and Food-craft Exhibition
(posters) Made by: J D A P (artist)
whole: the image occupies the whole. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in yellow outlined white. The text is integrated and placed in the lower left, in yellow, and across the bottom edge, in white. All set against a purple...
[Urdu Text] [India]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the upper three-quarters. The title and text are partially integrated and placed in the upper quarter, in red and in black, held within a white inset and red border. The main text is separate and placed in the lower...
Your Mobile Canteen in Action
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the three images occupy the majority, each held within a narrow black border. The badge of the Ceylon colonial flag is placed in the lower right, held within a black circular border. The title and text are separate and positioned in the upper...
La Comunidad Británica de Naciones [The British Commonwealth of Nations]
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the main image occupies the majority, with a series of smaller images positioned across the bottom edge. The title is separate and placed across the top edge, in yellow, set against a black background. The main text is separate and located in the...
Wheat - Methods of Using Wheat and Wheat Flour
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the nine images are positioned in the lower three-quarters, with a yellow wheat sheaf design placed along the top edge and bottom edge. An emblem, consisting of a hand holding a sword set against the outline of Ceylon, is placed in the lower left...
Make Up the Balance
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1944-05
whole: the image is positioned in the upper three-quarters. The title is separate and placed in the upper quarter, in blue, and in white with red shadowing. The text is separate and located in the lower quarter, in white, set against a red background....
Grow More Food
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
No description available
They Must Have Tyres
(posters) Made by: Fernando, G S (artist) 1944-04
whole: the image is positioned in the upper two-thirds, set against a blue background. The title is partially integrated and placed in the upper quarter, in burgundy. The text is separate and located in the lower quarter, in orange, set against a...
National Savings Week [Sinhala Text]
(posters) Made by: Candappa, R S R (artist) 1944-10
whole: the image is positioned in the upper four-fifths, held within a brown border. The title and text are integrated and placed in the upper fifth, in blue outlined brown, and in the lower quarter, in blue. Further text is separate and placed in the...
Join the Ceylon National Home Front
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1943-03
whole: the image is positioned in the upper four-fifths. The title and text are separate and located along the top edge and in the lower fifth, in red, held within red and white insets. Further text is integrated and placed across the image, in red, held...