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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The British Sovereign will Win
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915-07
whole: the image occupies the top third, with the title and text below banner form. image: a shilling, sovereign side up, showing the head of George V. text: THE BRITISH SOVEREIGN WILL WIN INVEST IN THE WAR LOAN TO-DAY ASK FOR DETAILS AT NEAREST POST...
Stamp it on Your Memory
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918
whole: the title is in red and positioned lower right. The image is placed upper left, incorporating the subtitle. All are set against an off-yellow background. image: a red postage stamp franked with a rectangle bearing the subtitle. text: BUY NATIONAL...
To My People
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in red and in black. All set against a white background. image: text only. text: BUCKINGHAM PALACE. TO MY PEOPLE. At this grave moment in the struggle between my people and a highly organised enemy who has...
Men of London
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1914-09
whole: the title and text occupy the majority, with the title, in blue, positioned in the upper half, and the text, in red and in blue, positioned in the lower half. The image is positioned top centre. All set against a white background and held within...
Your King and Country Need You
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the title, beneath the Royal Charter, is positioned across the top, with the text below occupying the remainder, both in blue. All set against a white background. image: text only. text: G.R. [Royal Charter] YOUR KING AND COUNTRY NEED YOU EVERY...
Motor Drivers Required for the Army Service Corps
(posters) Made by: Pollex, V C (artist) 1915
whole: the image occupies the upper half, with the title and text arranged over the remainder, in white outlined blue. All are set against a dark blue background. The Royal Charter is positioned at the top. image: a depiction of a British Army officer...
To the Women of Britain
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: the title and text are arranged over the whole, in black. Set against an orange background and framed within green, orange and black borders. image: text only. text: TO THE WOMEN OF BRITAIN. 1. You have read what the Germans have done in Belgium....
The New Armies
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1941-10-19
whole: the title is positioned in the upper quarter beneath the Royal Charter, with the text below occupying the remainder, both in red. All set against a white background. image: text only. text: G. [Royal Charter] R. THE NEW ARMIES More Men are Needed...
Rally Round the Flag
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the image is placed in the upper third, with the title below, in red, and the text occupying the lower half, in blue and in red. All set against a white background and held within narrow blue and red borders. image: a Union Flag. text: RALLY ROUND...
Where to Enlist for the Regular Army
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1914-09
whole: the title, headed by the Royal Charter, is positioned in the upper quarter, in blue, with the text below occupying the remainder, in red and in blue. All set against a white background and held within blue and red borders. image: text only. text:...