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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WAAC - Every Fit Woman Can Release A Fit Man
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper two-thirds, held within a black border. The title is divided and partly integrated across the top edge, and partly separate across the lower centre, in black. The text is separate and positioned in the lower third, in...
What in the End will Settle this War? - Trained Men
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: long landscape format, with the title and text in black, set against a bright yellow background. image: text only. text: What in the end will settle this war? TRAINED MEN It is YOUR DUTY to become ONE PUBLISHED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY RECRUITING...
Lend your Strong Right Arm to Your Country
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: design takes the form of a clenched fist and muscular forearm. Title is incorporated on the forearm, in green outlined white, and separate, in white. The text is separate, in white. All set against a green background. image: see above. text: LEND...
Lend Your Strong Right Arm to Your Country
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1914
whole: design takes the form of a clenched fist and muscular forearm. The title and text are incorporated and placed along the forearm, in red and black. image: see above. text: LEND YOUR STRONG RIGHT ARM TO YOUR COUNTRY ENLIST NOW PUBLISHED BY THE...
Why are you Stopping Here when your Pals are Out There?
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1914
whole: long lanscape format, with the text in white against a purple background. image: text only. text: Why are you stopping HERE when your pals are out THERE? PUBLISHED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY RECRUITING COMMITTE, LONDON. POSTER No.27. H. AND C. GRAHAM L....