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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Harrington & Richardson Automatic Ejecting .32 Hammerless
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Harrington & Richardson Arms Co. Worcester, MA, USA
This revolver was taken from an unknown German spy in Britain during the First World War. It was passed to the museum in 1920, by MI7(b), the branch of the intelligence services responsible for press and propaganda. The revolver featured in a display...
fuel gauge from the German airship SL11
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Maximall
Fuel gauge salvaged from the First World War German Army airship SL11, which was shot down in flames at Cuffley, Hertfordshire by Lieutenant William Leefe Robinson (39 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps) on 2-3 September 1916. The SL11 was the first airship to...
piece of wire from the German Zeppelin SL11
(vehicles, aircraft and ships)
Piece of wire from the rigging of the First World War German airship SL11made into a souvenir 'package' and sold to raise money for the Red Cross. The SL11 was shot down in flames at Cuffley, Hertfordshire by Lieutenant William Leefe Robinson (39...
ring made of salvaged metal from the German airship SL11
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Fragment of salvaged metal from the First World War German airship SL11 made into finger ring and sold to raise money for the Red Cross. The airship was shot down in flames at Cuffley, Hertfordshire by Lieutenant William Leefe Robinson on 2-3 September...
View Overlooking London
(art) Made by: Kenner, George 1915-10-13
image: a view looking down over London from Alexandra Palace with POWs walking around on the hill, watched from several watchtowers. In the foreground one prisoner holds up a large model yacht.
Making The Engine 'Britain's Efforts and Ideals'; Making Aircraft
(art) Made by: Nevinson, C R W 1917
image: a factory interior with belt driven machinery. The composition is dominated by belts running from overhead drive wheels. A worker with overalls and flat cap is operating a lathe while another watches.