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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Inside the Eagle Hut, Aldwych
(art) Made by: Rushbury, Henry (Sir) (RA)
image: a group of American soldiers and sailors sit and stand before a large map of the USA mounted on the wall of the YMCA Eagle Hut at Aldwych.
The Eagle Hut, Aldwych
(art) Made by: Rushbury, Henry (Sir) (RA)
image: a view across the wooden buildings of the American YMCA Eagle Hut in Aldwych, constructed adjacent to St Mary le Strand church, which is visible immediately behind. Two horse-drawn carts full of American soldiers are on the road in front of the...
In a YMCA Hut
(art) Made by: Rushbury, Henry (Sir) (RA)
image: an interior view of a large open room in a YMCA hut filled with military personnel. In the left foreground a few soldiers, newly arrived, stand with their kit. Across the rest of the foreground, soldiers sit and stand chatting, with most of them...
AMERICANS IN BRITAIN DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
part of "IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM PHOTOGRAPH ARCHIVE COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Nicholls Horace
A Land Girl chats with an American soldier, somewhere in the British countryside. The original caption reads: "Comme il faut", which roughly translates as "As it is necessary" or "As it must be".
AMERICANS IN BRITAIN DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
part of "IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM PHOTOGRAPH ARCHIVE COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Nicholls Horace
A portrait of a young American soldier laden with kit as he prepares to board a train for the Front.
CHILDREN ON THE HOME FRONT DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
part of "IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM PHOTOGRAPH ARCHIVE COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Nicholls Horace
Boy Scouts give out chocolate and cigarettes to departing American troops at Winchester railway station during the First World War.
THE HOME FRONT 1914 - 1918
part of "SPORT & GENERAL PRESS AGENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) 1917-08-15
The Forces at Home: American troops in England. A parade with the Stars and Stripes carried in front down Piccadilly in London.