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

Buy War Savings Certificates
(posters) Made by: Burton, Charles (artist) 1919
whole: the image is placed at the top, held within a black frame, with the title and text below. All set against a deep blue background. image: a shipbuilding scene, featuring workers in the foreground and the bow and keel of a vessel under construction...
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...
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...
Every Pound Invested in National War Bonds
(posters) Made by: A J (artist) 1918
whole: the title is arranged across the top and subtitle along the bottom, with the image central. All set against a black background. image: a shipbuilding scene, featuring workers in the foreground and the bow and keel of a vessel under construction in...
Repairing a Fracture in a Torpedoed Merchant Ship
(art) Made by: Wheatley, John (ARA) 1918
image: A close-up view of a section of the hull of a torpedoed Merchant Navy ship. The section of hull is badly damaged, with a large hole. The ship is in drydock and so is supported by large planks of wood, with two workers visible in the lower...
Divers at Work Repairing a Torpedoed Ship
(art) Made by: Wheatley, John (ARA) 1918
image: A torpedo-damaged ship being repaired. A group of men in the right bottom corner of the composition are visible at work, with two men inside the ship seen in the bottom left corner.
A Sketch In Portsmouth Harbour
(art) Made by: Allfree, Geoffrey Stephen 1918
image: A view of Portsmouth harbour, with several ships moored or at anchor.
Remember the Lusitania!
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: the title is positioned across the top in red, with the main text placed below, in two columns, in black. A subtitle, in red, is applied at the foot of the design. All are set against a plain white background and held within a narrow red border....
Remember the Lusitania
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915-05
whole: the title heads the design, with a subtitle and accompanying text located at the foot, all in red. The main text occupies the centre, in black. All are set against a plain white background and held within a black border. image: text only. text:...
The Bulldog Sailors' and Soldiers' Club Flag Day
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
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...