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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To My People
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whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in red and in black. All set against a white background. image: text only. text: BUCKINGHAM PALACE. TO MY PEOPLE. At this grave moment in the struggle between my people and a highly organised enemy who has...
Wanted - Men for the Army Remount Department
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
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Army Service Corps
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Recruits Wanted for His Majesty's Grenadier Guards
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1914-08
whole: the image occupies the majority, held within an black and blue border. The title is separate and positioned across the top, with the text separate and positioned across the bottom, both in blue and in red. Further text integrated and positioned...
Wanted - Men for the Army Remount Department
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915-03
whole: the image is placed at the centre, with the title separate and placed above in the upper third, in black and in red. The text is separate and placed upper centre, in black, and in the lower half, in black and in red. All set against a white...
Women Urgently Wanted for the WAAC
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The Scrap of Paper - Enlist Today
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1914
whole: the image is positioned centrally, held within a black border. The title is positioned across the top and the subtitle across the bottom, both in red. The text occupies the majority of the poster, in black and in red, some held within black...
The Bulldog Sailors' and Soldiers' Club Flag Day
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whole: the title and text, in red, are arranged over a turquoise plaque design, which is set over a monochromatic image. image: main image is of four warships sailing through a rough sea. Smaller image is of a bulldog standing on a scroll inscribed 'SOME...
Wanted for Overseas 63rd Battery
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915-09
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Go! It's Your Duty Lad
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whole: the image mainly occupies the upper left, with the title separate and positioned upper right and centre right, in black. The text is separate and positioned in the lower quarter, also in black. All set against a yellow background, and held within...