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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Cesena : Cooks of a Basuto Pioneer Company preparing the midday dinner on Christmas Day, 1944
(art) Made by: Bawden, Edward 1944-12-25
image: the cooks work around various stoves and fires under a wooden roof. Some are chopping wood with axes while others tend the pans and fires.
With the 8th Army Brigade HQ in a Farmyard
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1944
image: A view of a farmyard in which there is a jeep and a camouflaged truck parked. The yard is filled with soldiers. Two, just right of centre are examining a map. In the foreground a civilian woman is standing, facing away from the viewer, holding a...
Women and Children Carrying Baskets of Grapes at Bagnara, Italy
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1943
image: Two women and two girls walk along the side of the road with large baskets balanced on their heads. They are being observed by two Officers driving past in an open jeep with their backs to the viewer.
Soldiers Resting by the Roadside
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1943
image: British soldiers rest by an orchard wall, with two soldiers lying on the wall. In the orchard behind, one soldier picks fruit, watched by another who is leaning across the wall. In the background to the left, another soldier relieves himself. In...