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

Telephone
(equipment) 1914
Telephone from the office of the First Lord of the Admiralty. This telephone stood on the desk of the First Lord of the Admiralty throughout the First World War. It was used in succession by Mr Winston Churchill, Mr Arthur Balfour, Sir Edward Carson,...
figure, Winston Churchill
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Winston Churchill, portrayed here as 'Britannia', was an outstanding member of Asquith's Cabinet. During his term of office as First Lord of the Admiralty from 1911, a Naval War Staff was established and the new Queen Elizabeth class battleships, armed...
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
part of "A COLLECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF WINSTON CHURCHILL" (photographs) 1918-10-08
The Minister of Munitions Winston Churchill inspects a production line for heavy guns during a visit to Beardmores Munitions Works in Glasgow on 8 October 1918.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
part of "A COLLECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF WINSTON CHURCHILL" (photographs) 1918-10-09
The Minister of Munitions Winston Churchill is escorted through the yard at Georgetown's filling works near Glasgow by women workers during a visit on 9 October 1918.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
part of "A COLLECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF WINSTON CHURCHILL" (photographs) 1918-10-09
The Minister of Munitions Winston Churchill meets female workers at Georgetown's filling works near Glasgow during a visit on 9 October 1918.
WAR INDUSTRY DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
part of "A COLLECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF WINSTON CHURCHILL" (photographs) 1918-10-09
The Minister of Munitions Winston Churchill is escorted through the yard of Georgetown's filling works near Glasgow by female workers during a visit on 9 October 1918.