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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War Loan
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: the title, subtitles and image are held within a red and blue frame. The title is placed across the top in red, with the image central, and the subtitles below in black and underlined red. image: an open leather wallet and a pound note amongst a...
One Pound for 15 Shillings and Sixpence
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1916-07
whole: the title is placed across the top in red, with the text below, in blue and red. All held within a red and blue frame and set against a white background. image: text only. text: £1 for 15s 6d War Savings Certificates [terms, conditions and...
Do you Think
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: the text is in red and black, arranged in banner form and held within green border. image: text only. text: GVR DO YOU THINK MY 5s WON'T HELP THE WAR LOAN DO YOU REALIZE THOUSANDS MAY BE THINKING THE SAME DO YOU KNOW IF EACH OF US SAVED 5s A WEEK...
War Loan - Back the Empire with Your Savings
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: the title and text are in white and light brown, and are arranged below the image against a black background. image: a lion stood facing the viewer, seen almost in silhouette against a light brown background. text: WAR LOAN BACK THE EMPIRE WITH...
War Loan
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: the title is in red and yellow, arranged above and below the image, with the subtitle across the bottom. All set against a black background. image: an explosion, with text at the centre. text: WAR 5s LOAN INVEST TO-DAY APPLY AT NEAREST POST OFFICE...
Help your Country
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: the title and text are arranged in banner form, held within a yellow border against a white background. image: a red roundel with a yellow frame. text: HELP YOUR COUNTRY Invest 5s To-day in the WAR LOAN Apply at nearest Post Office PUBLISHED BY...
War Loan
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: the title is placed across the top, with the image placed centre, and the text and subtitle across the bottom. All set against a green background and held within a white border. image: a large five shilling coin, dated 1915, featuring St George...
Turn your Silver into Bullets
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: the title is in red, and positioned top left and above the image. The image and text are set against a turquoise background. image: a pair of cupped hands overflowing with shillings. As the shillings drop they transform into bullets, falling past...