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

Ready for Christmas: the Canteen under St. Martin's-in-the-Fields
(art) Made by: Kapp, Edmond Xavier 1941
image: the interior of an underground canteen under St Martin-in-the-Fields church in London. In the foreground are tables and chairs to the left and stacked chairs to the right. At the far end of the room is the canteen itself, with a man leaning on the...
HOMEMAKER'S WAR GUIDE
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1942
image: information poster with long texts under various headings, interspersed with small explanatory drawings text: [main heading] HOMEMAKER'S WAR GUIDE [sub-headings] PLAN CONSERVE SALVAGE AIR RAID PROTECTION [lower text] VICTORY BEGINS AT HOME - DO...
Sketch book- Various Second World War Scenes
(art) Made by: Eadie, Ian G M 1943
whole: ring-bound sketch book with a leatherette cover image: a variety of subjects varying from portraits and caricatures of military personnel and entertainers to sketches of military training and relaxation. There are also a number of preparatory...
Sketch book- Various Second World War Scenes
(art) Made by: Eadie, Ian G M 1943
whole: ring-bound sketch book with a leatherette cover image: a variety of subjects varying from portraits and caricatures of military personnel and entertainers to sketches of military training and relaxation. There are also a number of preparatory...
Sketch book- Various Second World War Scenes
(art) Made by: Eadie, Ian G M 1943
whole: ring-bound sketch book with a leatherette cover image: a variety of subjects varying from portraits and caricatures of military personnel and entertainers to sketches of military training and relaxation. There are also a number of preparatory...
Sketch book- Various Second World War Scenes
(art) Made by: Eadie, Ian G M 1943
whole: ring-bound sketch book with a leatherette cover image: a variety of subjects varying from portraits and caricatures of military personnel and entertainers to sketches of military training and relaxation. There are also a number of preparatory...
Sketch book- Various Second World War Scenes
(art) Made by: Eadie, Ian G M 1943
whole: ring-bound sketch book with a leatherette cover image: a variety of subjects varying from portraits and caricatures of military personnel and entertainers to sketches of military training and relaxation. There are also a number of preparatory...
Sketch book- Various Second World War Scenes
(art) Made by: Eadie, Ian G M 1943
whole: ring-bound sketch book with a leatherette cover image: a variety of subjects varying from portraits and caricatures of military personnel and entertainers to sketches of military training and relaxation. There are also a number of preparatory...
Sketch book- Various Second World War Scenes
(art) Made by: Eadie, Ian G M 1943
whole: ring-bound sketch book with a leatherette cover image: a variety of subjects varying from portraits and caricatures of military personnel and entertainers to sketches of military training and relaxation. There are also a number of preparatory...
Sketch book- Various Second World War Scenes
(art) Made by: Eadie, Ian G M 1943
whole: ring-bound sketch book with a leatherette cover image: a variety of subjects varying from portraits and caricatures of military personnel and entertainers to sketches of military training and relaxation. There are also a number of preparatory...