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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The British Sovereign will Win
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915-07
whole: the image occupies the top third, with the title and text below banner form. image: a shilling, sovereign side up, showing the head of George V. text: THE BRITISH SOVEREIGN WILL WIN INVEST IN THE WAR LOAN TO-DAY ASK FOR DETAILS AT NEAREST POST...
To My People
(posters) Made by: Unknown
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...
Wake Up England
(posters) Made by: Unknown 1914-10
whole: the title and text occupy the whole, in white cursive script. All set against a purple background. image: text only. text: G.R. [Royal Charter] 'Wake up England' Complete the Second Half-million
Men of London
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1914-09
whole: the title and text occupy the majority, with the title, in blue, positioned in the upper half, and the text, in red and in blue, positioned in the lower half. The image is positioned top centre. All set against a white background and held within...
The Need for More Fighting Men is Urgent
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1914-08
whole: the title, beneath the Royal Charter, occupies the majority, in red, with the text across the bottom, in blue. All set against a white background and held within a narrow red and blue border. image: text only. text: G.R. [Royal Charter] THE NEED...
Sons of Britain!
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1914
whole: the title, beneath the Royal Charter, occupies the upper half, in blue, with the text below in the lower half, in red. All set against a white background and held within a narrow red and blue border. image: text only. text: G.R. [Royal Charter]...
Young Men of England!
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1914
whole: the title, beneath the Royal Charter, occupies the upper half, in blue, with the text below in the lower half, in red. All set against a white background and held within a narrow red and blue border. image: text only. text: G.R. [Royal Charter]...
Your King and Country Need You
(posters) Made by: Unknown
whole: the title, beneath the Royal Charter, is positioned across the top, with the text below occupying the remainder, both in blue. All set against a white background. image: text only. text: G.R. [Royal Charter] YOUR KING AND COUNTRY NEED YOU EVERY...
Single Men
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915-08
whole: the upper image is positioned across the top and the lower image is positioned across the bottom, both held within blue borders. The title is separate and positioned below the upper image, in red outlined blue, with the text below, in blue, and in...
River Plate Pageant
(art) Made by: PEARS, CHARLES 1918
image: A large rowing boat that appears to be carrying the King and Queen, passes under London Bridge during a ceremonial pageant. There are further boats on the River Thames in the background and Tower Bridge can also be seen through one of London...