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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Group System
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915-12
whole: the title is positioned across the top in red, with the text arranged over the remainder, also in red. All are set against a plain white background. image: text only text: GROUP SYSTEM. Enlistment in Groups will RE-OPEN ON MONDAY, January 10th,...
The Prime Minister's Advice to the Young Unmarried Men...
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915-11
whole: the title is positioned across the top in black. The main text, including a quotation, is arranged over the remainder, also in black. All are set over a plain white background. image: text only. text: THE PRIME MINSTER'S ADIVE TO THE YOUNG...
Join Under the Group System
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915-11
whole: the title is positioned across the top, with the main text arranged over the remainder, all in black. All are set over a plain white background. image: text only. text: JOIN UNDER THE GROUP SYSTEM (1) IT IS SIMPLE AND FAIR. Everybody is placed in...
Cynllun Arglwydd Derby [The Lord Derby Plan]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915-12
whole: the title is positioned across the top in red, with the text arranged over the remainder, also in red. All are set against a plain white background. image: text only. text: CYNLLUN ARGLWYDD DERBY. CYFUNDREFN YR ADRANNAU. Ail-agorwyd y Cynllun...
Under Lord Derby's Scheme...
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915-11
whole: the text is arranged in banner form, in red over a plain white background. A red Royal Seal heads the design. image: Royal Seal. text: UNDER LORD DERBY'S SCHEME A MERE PROMISE TO ENLIST IS OF NO VALUE. If a man wishes to be placed in a Group he...
County Palatine Artillery
(posters) Made by: J C [British] (artist) 1914
whole: the image is positioned centrally, held within a narrow black border. The title is separate and positioned across the top edge, in red. The text is separate and positioned in the upper quarter, in blue, and in the lower quarter, in red and in blue...
Telephone
(equipment)
Telephone from the office of the British Secretary of State for War. This telephone stood on the desk of the Secretary of State for War throughout the First World War. It was used in succession by Mr Herbert Asquith, Field Marshal Lord Kitchener, Mr...