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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AIR RAID DAMAGE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR.
part of "HOME OFFICE FIRST WORLD WAR AIR RAID DAMAGE COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Home Office photographer 1917-07
Firemen hose down the smouldering remains of Cox's Court off Little Britain in the City of London after a Gotha air raid on 7 July 1917.
AIR RAID DAMAGE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR.
part of "HOME OFFICE FIRST WORLD WAR AIR RAID DAMAGE COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Home Office photographer 1917-06
The damaged facade of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, following a devastating air raid by 20 Gotha GVs on 13 June 1917. This was the first of two daylight Gotha GV raids on London. Piles of timber and brick rubble can be seen in the foreground, and the...
AIR RAID DAMAGE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR.
part of "HOME OFFICE FIRST WORLD WAR AIR RAID DAMAGE COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Home Office photographer 1918-01-28
The ruins of Messrs Odhams Printing Works, 93 Long Acre, London, which was bombed by two giant Gothas in the worst bombing incident of the war. A bomb fell on the pavement immediately under the north wall of the building and exploded in the basement. A...
AIR RAID DAMAGE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR.
part of "HOME OFFICE FIRST WORLD WAR AIR RAID DAMAGE COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Home Office photographer 1917-10
Air Raids and Bomb Damage: Air raid damage outside Swann & Edgars store in Piccadilly where a 100 kilogram bomb fell on 19 - 20 October 1917. Five of the eleven Zeppelins involved in the attack were destroyed.
AIR RAID DAMAGE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR.
part of "HOME OFFICE FIRST WORLD WAR AIR RAID DAMAGE COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Home Office photographer 1917-06
Air Raids and Bomb Damage: The interior of the mechanics' workshop at the Royal Mint, damaged in the first daylight raid on London by Gotha aircraft on 13 June 1917.
AIR RAID DAMAGE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR.
part of "HOME OFFICE FIRST WORLD WAR AIR RAID DAMAGE COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Home Office photographer 1915-10
Air Raids and Bomb Damage: Damage to a terraced house in Beech House Road, Croydon. Five Zeppelins raided London on 13 - 14 October 1915.
AIR RAID DAMAGE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR.
part of "HOME OFFICE FIRST WORLD WAR AIR RAID DAMAGE COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Home Office photographer 1917-09
A close up view of damage to the pavement outside the Eaglet Public House on Seven Sisters Road, caused by a 50 kilo bomb during a raid on the night of 29 - 30 September 1917. Men can be seen at work clearing debris. In the background, a large group of...
AIR RAID DAMAGE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR.
part of "HOME OFFICE FIRST WORLD WAR AIR RAID DAMAGE COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Home Office photographer 1917-09
A general view of the damage to the Eaglet public house, on the corner of Seven Sisters Road, London, following an air raid. A 50 kilo bomb was dropped during a raid on the night of 29- 30 September 1917. Timber and debris litters the street, and wooden...
AIR RAID DAMAGE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR.
part of "HOME OFFICE FIRST WORLD WAR AIR RAID DAMAGE COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Home Office photographer 1917-09
The Royal Academy: a 50 kilogram bomb fell through the roof of No 9 Gallery at the Royal Academy and exploded on impact with the brick arch which formed the Gallerys floor. A hole was blown through the arch into the basement but no casualties were...
AIR RAID DAMAGE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR.
part of "HOME OFFICE FIRST WORLD WAR AIR RAID DAMAGE COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Home Office photographer 1917-10
Air raid damage in Albany Road, Camberwell, London following the Zeppelin raid of 19 - 20 October 1917. A 600 kg bomb fell at the rear of the premises not far from the corner, completely demolishing three houses and seriously damaging twelve others. 10...