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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A Leader of Leaders
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set within a gilt frame design. The text occupies the lower third, held within a scroll design. image: a three-quarter length portrait of David Lloyd-George, facing the viewer and delivering a speech...
A Head to Contrive
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set within a gilt frame design. The text is positioned in the lower third, held within a scroll design. image: a three-quarter portrait of a British politician in formal dress. He stands facing the...
He Rightly Lives
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set within a gilt frame design. The text is positioned in the lower third, held within a scroll design. image: a full-length portrait of Admiral Lord Nelson standing against a dark landscape. text: A.S....
A Leader Sage
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set within a gilt frame design. The text occupies the lower third, held within a scroll design. image: a full-length portrait of President Woodrow Wilson, who strides towards the viewer raising his top...
Sam Brierley
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918-05
whole: the title is positioned in the upper left in black. The image is placed upper right. The text is arranged in columnar fashion down the left-hand side and the lower right-hand side. All held within a brown white frame against a white background....
National Service - National Security - No Shirking
(posters) Made by: Unknown 1917
whole: the image is positioned in the upper third. The title is separate and positioned in the lower two-thirds, in black. The text is separate and positioned in the lower quarter, also in black. Further text is integrated and positioned in the upper...
National Service
(posters) Made by: Scott, Septimus E (artist) 1917
whole: the image occupies the majority, with a smaller image positioned in the upper right. The title is separate and positioned along the top edge, in white, held within a black area. The text is integrated and positioned in the lower quarter, in black...
Dr Flora Murray: Endell Street Hospital, London
(art) Made by: Spare, Austin O
image: a portrait of Dr Flora Murray sitting at a desk in an office at Endell Street hospital in London, looking down at something on the surface of the desk. The hand of a colleague is visible on the desktop to the left, showing that Murray shares the...
Lord Kitchener Says
(posters) Made by: Bassano [after] (artist) 1915-09
whole: the image occupies the left half, held within a red border. The title and text are separate and positioned in the right half, in yellow. All are set against a black background and held within a yellow border. image: a head and shoulders...
He did his Duty - Will You do Yours?
(posters) Made by: Bassano, Alexander [after] (artist) 1914
whole: the image occupies the upper two-thirds. The title is separate and positioned across the bottom, in brown. All set against a white background. image: a framed portrait of Lord Roberts of Kandahar, with his sword, baton, plumed hat and Victoria...