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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Gymry Sengl! [Unmarried Welshmen!]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1916-02
whole: the title is positioned across the top, with the text arranged in banner form over the remainder. All text is in green set over a light orange-brown background. image: text only text: GYMRY SENGL! DEWISWCH fynd i'r Fyddincyn Dydd Gwyl Dewi Bydd...
Attest Now
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1916
whole: the title is positioned across the bottom edge, with the text above occupying the remainder of the poster, both in brown, set against a white background, and held within a brown border. image: text only. text: MILITARY SERVICE ACT, 1916 Every man...
Single Men are Urged not to Put Off Voluntary Enlistment or Attestation
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1916-02
whole: the text, in red, is arranged against a plain white background and held within a simple red border. image: text only. text: SINGLE MEN are urged NOT TO PUT OFF VOLUNTARY ENLISTMENT OR ATTESTATION UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT THEIR CHANCE WILL BE GONE AT...
At Ddynion Sengl Wedi Eu Rhoddi... [To Starred or Badged Single Men...]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1916
whole: the title is positioned across the top edge, with the text below occupying the remainder of the poster, both in blue, set against a white background, and held within a blue border. image: text only. text: AT DDYNION SENGL WEDI EU RHODDI DAN SEREN...
Adystiwch Yn Awr [Report Now]
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1916
whole: the title is positioned across the bottom edge, with the text above occupying the remainder of the poster, both in brown, set against a white background, and held within a brown border. image: text only. text: DEDDF GWASANAETH MILWROL, 1916 Ddydd...