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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FIELD MARSHAL LORD KITCHENER AT SCAPA FLOW, 5 JUNE 1916
part of "KINGSWELL C A" (photographs) 1916-06-05
Lord Kitchener boards HMS IRON DUKE from HMS OAK at 12.25pm prior to lunching with Admiral Lord Jellicoe at Scapa Flow on 5 June 1916.
King's Cross Anti-aircraft Gun In Action
(art) Made by: Gray, Ronald 1917
image: A scene depicting an anti-aircraft gun firing up into the night sky. The gun is manned by young naval personnel in uniform, overseen by an older bearded officer standing in the foreground. Several searchlight beams are visible in the sky, and a...
Evening Quarters : The look-out at Cannon Street Anti-Aircraft Station
(art) Made by: Gray, Ronald 1917
image: An anti-aircraft post overlooking the City of London, with Monument visible to the left. In the foreground, three naval personnel in white caps stand around a gun that is aimed skywards. Several searchlight beams illuminate the sky above them.
A Coast Defence : an 18-pounder anti-aircraft gun, Tyneside, 1917
(art) Made by: Lavery, John (Sir) (RA) (RSA) 1917
image: Searchlights scan the night sky over the coast at an anti-aircraft installation. One of the two guns is firing, with the flash from the barrel illuminating the scene.
Princess Mary's Gift Fund pipe
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Tobacco pipe associated with (but separated from) a Princess Mary's Gift Fund (1914) Box. The Gift Fund was inaugurated by Princess Mary in October 1914 to provide a gift for every serviceman at the front or at sea ('Class A') for the first Christmas of...
Princess Mary's Gift Fund 1914 Box, Class A smokers
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Princess Mary's Gift Fund (1914) Box. The Gift Fund was inaugurated by Princess Mary in October 1914 to provide a gift for every serviceman at the front or at sea ('Class A') for the first Christmas of the War. The majority of gifts were for smokers and...
Princess Mary's Gift Fund 1914 Box, Class A smokers
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Princess Mary's Gift Fund (1914) Box. The Gift Fund was inaugurated by Princess Mary in October 1914 to provide a gift for every serviceman at the front or at sea ('Class A') for the first Christmas of the War. The majority of gifts were for smokers and...
Princess Mary's Gift Fund 1914 Box, Class A smokers
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Princess Mary's Gift Fund (1914) Box. The Gift Fund was inaugurated by Princess Mary in October 1914 to provide a gift for every serviceman at the front or at sea ('Class A') for the first Christmas of the War. The majority of gifts were for smokers and...
Princess Mary's Gift Fund 1914 Box, Class A smokers
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Princess Mary's Gift Fund 1914 Box. The Gift Fund was inaugurated by Princess Mary in October 1914 to provide a gift for every serviceman at the front or at sea ('Class A') for the first Christmas of the First World War. The majority of gifts were for...
The Appam, London Docks
(art) Made by: Lavery, John (Sir) (RA) (RSA) 1916
image: The dazzle camouflage painted SS Appam moored at London Docks, shown starboard side on. In the water before her are a few barges and cranes are visible on the dockside.