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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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.
An Armoured Cruiser, Showing Fracture. Divers Going Down to Investigate
(art) Made by: Wheatley, John (ARA) 1918
image: A close-up view of the side of a 'dazzle' painted ship. There is a large hole in the side, the metal exterior torn back to reveal a dark red interior. Just outside the hole there is a small swell with air bubbles rising to the surface. In the...
THE HOME FRONT 1914 - 1918
part of "SPORT & GENERAL PRESS AGENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) 1914-12
Ruins of the Bennett house in Scarborough caused by one of the shells fired by the German battlecruisers SMS DERFFLINGER and SMS VON DER TANN on 16 December 1914, when a force of German warships under Admiral von Hipper shelled Hartlepool, Scarborough...
THE HOME FRONT 1914 - 1918
part of "SPORT & GENERAL PRESS AGENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) 1914-12
Damage to the lighthouse on Vincent's Pier, Scarborough, caused by shells from the German battlecruisers SMS DERFFLINGER and SMS VON DER TANN when the town was bombarded on the morning of 16 December 1914.
THE ROYAL NAVY IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR
part of "IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM PHOTOGRAPH ARCHIVE COLLECTION" (photographs)
Bank Holiday under war. Members of the British public observe with interest mobilisation at Sheerness from the private vessel Princess of Wales, registered at Rochester.