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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Collections search

ZEPPELIN RAIDS AGAINST GREAT BRITAIN DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
(photographs) Made by: Unknown Photographer
Kapitanleutnant Heinrich Mathy
Collection: MORROW MAY CRAIG (MISS)
(photographs) Made by: Unknown Photographer
Cloth-bound photograph album containing 195 black and white photographic prints relating to the service of Miss May Craig Morrow in the Voluntary Aid Detachments (VAD) during the First World War. Photographs consist of scenes taken at Auxiliary Home...
Collection: STEPHENSON J A
(photographs) Made by: Unknown Photographer 1914
Postcards showing the results of the German Naval bombardment of Hartlepool on 16 December 1914. Scenes include damage to houses in Brougham Terrace, Carlton Terrace, Central Estate, Lily Street, Mary Street, Moor Terrace, Old Town, Rockside Cliff...
GERMAN NAVAL BOMBARDMENT OF HARTLEPOOL, 16 DECEMBER 1914
part of "STEPHENSON J A" (photographs) Made by: Unknown Photographer 1914
Damage inflicted to housing in Central Estate, Hartlepool, during the Imperial German Navy's bombardment of the town on 16 December 1914.
GERMAN NAVAL BOMBARDMENT OF HARTLEPOOL, 16 DECEMBER 1914
part of "STEPHENSON J A" (photographs) Made by: Unknown Photographer 1914
British soldiers standing with unexploded shells after the Imperial German Navy's bombardment of the town on 16 December 1914.
GERMAN NAVAL BOMBARDMENT OF HARTLEPOOL, 16 DECEMBER 1914
part of "STEPHENSON J A" (photographs) Made by: Unknown Photographer 1914
Damage inflicted to housing in Sussex Street, Hartlepool, during the Imperial German Navy's bombardment of the town on 16 December 1914.
Collection: STEVENS JOHN (MR)
(photographs) Made by: Unknown Photographer
Photographic postcards of groups and individual British Army personnel from the First World War. These include the Signals Section of 2nd Mounted Brigade; Private P W Davy of 'C' Company, 9th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers at Parkhouse Camp and Private...