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

Remember Scarborough!
(posters) Made by: Kemp-Welch, Lucy (artist) 1915
whole: the image occupies the majority held within a wide black border. The title is positioned across the top, with the text across the bottom, both in white. image: a full-length depiction of Britannia, wearing a helmet and holding a Union Flag in her...
Territorial Force - County of London
(posters) Made by: Ibbetson, Ernest (artist) 1915-04
whole: the image occupies the upper third, with the title integrated, in blue. The text is separate and positioned in the lower two-thirds, in red gothic script, and in black. A small image is positioned lower left. All set against a white background and...
Buy National War Bonds
(posters) Made by: National War Savings Committee (publisher/sponsor) 1917-11
whole: the image and title are integrated, with the title arranged below the image and displayed upon a plaque. All held within an ornate gilt frame design. image: Britannia seated and holding a wreath. The sea and cliffs form the background behind her....
Every Man - What is Your Answer to Your Country's Call?
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: a small monochrome image is positioned across the top. The title is placed below the image, in red, with the text arranged over the remainder, in red and blue. All are set against a plain light orange-brown background. image: two union flags flank...
Every Man - What is Your Answer to Your Country's Call?
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: a small monochrome image is positioned across the top. The title is placed below the image, with the text arranged over the remainder, all in black. All are set against a plain blue background. image: two union flags flank an image of Britannia...
Women Wanted Urgently
(posters) Made by: Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (publisher/sponsor)
whole: the image is positioned in the upper third. The title is separate and positioned across the centre, in red. The text is separate and positioned in the lower two-thirds, in black. The title and text are set against a white background and held...