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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map, France
(maps)
Second World War period silk escape map (for issue to Special Operations Executive personnel), an example of surplus stock, which was sold to female Air Ministry staff in Adastral House at the end of the war for two shillings and sixpence each. The 'maps...
map, Germany and Central Europe
(maps)
Second World War period silk escape map (for issue to Special Operations Executive personnel), an example of surplus stock, which was sold to female Air Ministry staff in Adastral House at the end of the war for two shillings and sixpence each. The 'maps...
Sir Arthur Street, KCB, KBE, CMG, CIE, MC
(art) Made by: Carr, Henry 1942
image: a seated, half-length portrait of Sir Arthur Street, wearing a suit.
Volunteer for Flying Duties
(posters) Made by: Air Ministry (publisher/sponsor)
whole: the image occupies the majority, with the title integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in red and in black. The text is integrated and located in the lower left, also in red and in black. image: a half-length photograph of a RAF pilot...
THE AIR MINISTRY, 1939-1945.
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Agency photographer
The Air Council in session at Adastral House, London: Air Chief Marshal Sir Wilfrid R Freeman, Vice-Chief of the Air Staff.
THE AIR MINISTRY, 1939-1945.
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Air Force official photographer
Captain H H Balfour MP, Under Secretary of State for Air, sitting at his desk at the Air Ministry, London.
THE AIR MINISTRY, 1939-1945.
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Agency photographer
The Air Council in session at Adastral House, London: (left to right); Captain H H Balfour, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Air and Vice President of the Air Council, Rt Hon Sir Archibald Sinclair, Secretary of State for Air and President of...
THE AIR MINISTRY, 1939-1945.
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Agency photographer
The Air Council in session at Adastral House, London: Rt Hon Sir Archibald Sinclair, Secretary of State for Air & President of the Air Council (left), and Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles F A Portal, Chief of the Air Staff.
THE AIR MINISTRY, 1939-1945.
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Air Force official photographer
View of the interior of the Wireless Cabin of the Central Forecasting Station at Dunstable, Bedfordshire, showing WAAF and RAF radio operators recording meteorological reports from aircraft and ships.
THE AIR MINISTRY, 1939-1945.
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Air Force official photographer
Portrait of Sir Archibald Sinclair, Secretary of State for Air.