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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WOMEN IN INDUSTRY DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR, LONDON, c 1918
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Lewis G P 1918
A general view of the central hall of Crowndale Works, an anti-gas mask factory, in Camden Town, London. A mass of women sit shoulder to shoulder on long tables to prepare the glass for the mask eyepieces.
WOMEN IN INDUSTRY DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR, LONDON, c 1918
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Lewis G P 1918
A general view of women at work in the varnishing room of Crowndale Works anti-gas mask factory in Camden. They are sitting at tables to finish the glass for the masks. On the left of the photograph, one woman pushes a sack barrow of masks.
INDUSTRY DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Lewis G P 1914
A female worker varnishes splinterless glass to be used in gas masks at the Crowndale Works, Camden Town, London, during the First World War.
INDUSTRY DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Lewis G P 1914
Female workers gauging splinterless glass for use in gas masks at the Crowndale Works in Camden Town, London, during the First World War.
INDUSTRY DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Lewis G P 1914
Women gauging splinterless glass for use in gas masks at the Crowndale Works in Camden Town, London, during the First World War.
INDUSTRY DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Lewis G P 1914
A female worker gauging splinterless glass for use in gas masks at the Crowndale Works in Camden Town, London, during the First World War.
INDUSTRY DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Lewis G P 1914
Female workers gauging splinterless glass for use in gas masks at the Crowndale Works in Camden Town, London, during the First World War.
INDUSTRY DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Lewis G P 1914
Female workers producing glass pieces for use in gas masks at the Crowndale Works, Camden Town, London, during the First World War.
INDUSTRY DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Lewis G P 1914
Female workers at tables where glass used for gas masks is cleaned and where the glass pieces are placed into ovens seen on the right to harden the dope at the Crowndale Works, Camden Town, London, during the First World War.
INDUSTRY DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Lewis G P 1914
Female workers doping splinterless glass to be used in gas masks at the Crowndale Works, Camden Town, London, during the First World War.