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

A Leader of Leaders
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set within a gilt frame design. The text occupies the lower third, held within a scroll design. image: a three-quarter length portrait of David Lloyd-George, facing the viewer and delivering a speech...
National Service
(posters) Made by: Scott, Septimus E (artist) 1917
whole: the image occupies the majority, with a smaller image positioned in the upper right. The title is separate and positioned along the top edge, in white, held within a black area. The text is integrated and positioned in the lower quarter, in black...
Soldiers' Life in the French Trenches
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1914-11-27
whole: the title is positioned in the centre third, in blue. The text is positioned in the upper third and lower third, also in blue. All set against a white background. image: text only. text: DAILY TELEGRAPH Saturday, November 28. SOLDIERS' LIFE IN THE...
THE HOME FRONT 1914 - 1918
part of "STATESMEN AND PERSONALITIES OF GREAT BRITAIN AND HER ALLIES 1914 - 1918" (photographs)
Personalities: David Lloyd George, Chancellor of the Exchequer until 1915; Minister of Munitions May 1915 - December 1916; Prime Minister and Leader of the National Coalition Government December 1916- December 1918.
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...
toby jug, David Lloyd George
(souvenirs and ephemera)
First World War period patriotic, humorous and inspirational British portrait ceramic (in the form of a 'Toby Jug') of Mr David Lloyd George (Minister of Munitions 1915, Prime Minister 1916 to 1922).
figure, David Lloyd George
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Lord Roberts Memorial Workshops for Disabled Soldiers and Sailors (Fulham, London)
David Lloyd George, Prime Minister from 1916 to 1922, is seen here carrying the pole of 'patriotism' while balancing on the political tightrope. This wooden caricature figure was made at the Lord Roberts Memorial Workshops for Disabled Soldiers and...
GOVERNMENT AND PROPAGANDA DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR, 1918
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Lewis G P 1918
A formal group photograph of the Imperial War Cabinet in the garden of 10 Downing Street, 1918. The Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, can be seen seated in the centre of the front row. He is stroking his pet dog.
DAVID LLOYD GEORGE
part of "IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM PHOTOGRAPH ARCHIVE COLLECTION" (photographs)
Portrait of David Lloyd George.
THE FIRST WORLD WAR 1914 - 1918: GREAT BRITAIN: PERSONALITIES
part of "IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM PHOTOGRAPH ARCHIVE COLLECTION" (photographs)
Half length portrait of David Lloyd George during a speech in Dundee, Scotland. The Liberal Lloyd George combined with the Conservatives to overthrow Asquith's Coalition Government in December 1916, and himself assumed the office of Prime Minister.