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

The War Refugees' Camp, Earl's Court 1918
(art) Made by: Rushbury, Henry (Sir) (RA) 1918
image: In the foreground a group of refugees stand and sit underneath an archway. The group is predominantly made up of women, as well as four young children and two men, one of whom has a white beard and is lighting a pipe. In the background through the...
Come Lad Slip Across and Help
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: the image covers the whole, framed within a dark brown border. The title is incorporated into the the image and superimposed across the bottom in dark brown. image: a British artilleryman, standing on a yellow map of France and Belgium, links...
Britain's Battle for Freedom
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the title is positioned above centre, in white outlined black. The text is positioned above and below, in black and in white. All set against a grey background. image: text only. text: Help to end the War by enlisting in the gallant British Army,...
National Service Women Clerks Wanted at Once
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the main image occupies the centre third, held within a dark blue border. The title is separate and positioned in the upper third, in dark blue, and held within a dark blue border. A second smaller image is positioned top edge centre. The text is...
Joan of Arc Saved France
(posters) Made by: Thomas, Bert (MBE) (artist) 1918
whole: the title is placed across the top in grey. The subtitle is placed across the bottom in grey and red, in banner form. The image is placed in the upper two-thirds. image: a simple, red-outlined drawing of Joan of Arc, dressed in armour and with her...
Why More Men are Needed
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: the title is positioned across the top, in white outlined green. The text, a quote, is arranged below the title in white. All are set against a black background and held within a green border. image: text only. text: WHY MORE MEN ARE NEEDED 'It is...
Britain's Battle for Freedom
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915-01
whole: the title is positioned above centre, in white outlined black. The text is positioned above and below, in black and in white. All set against a grey background. image: text only. text: Help to end the War by enlisting in the gallant British Army,...
Boys Come Over Here You're Wanted
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915-03
whole: the image covers the whole, with the title incorporated and arranged down the right-hand side in black. image: a three-quarter length photographic image of a British infantryman facing right and peering with his hand raised to his brow. He stands...
Why More Men are Needed
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: the title is positioned across the top, in white outlined green. The text, a quote, is arranged below the title in white. All are set against a black background and held within a green border. image: text only. text: WHY MORE MEN ARE NEEDED 'It is...
Boys! Come along You're Wanted
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915-04
whole: the image covers the whole, with the title incorporated and positioned down the right-hand side in black. image: a black silhouette image of a British infantryman facing right and peering with his hand raised to his brow. He stands against yellow...