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 ROYAL VISIT TO THE LEYLAND FACTORY, ENGLAND, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
HM King George VI talks to a female machine operator during a royal visit to the Leyland factory.
HM KING GEORGE VI VISITS A STEEL HELMET AND MUNITIONS FACTORY, UK
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
HM King George VI talks to workers as they make helmets at a factory, somewhere in Britain.
HM KING GEORGE VI VISITS A STEEL HELMET AND MUNITIONS FACTORY, UK
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A row of female factory workers cheer and wave HM King George VI at the end of his visit to their factory, somewhere in Britain.
HM KING GEORGE VI VISITS A STEEL HELMET AND MUNITIONS FACTORY, UK
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
HM King George VI examines piles of steel helmets in various stages of manufacture during a visit to a factory, somewhere in Britain.
HM KING GEORGE VI VISITS A STEEL HELMET AND MUNITIONS FACTORY, UK
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
HM King George VI examines piles of plastic helmets in various stages of manufacture during a visit to a factory, somewhere in Britain.
HM KING GEORGE VI VISITS A STEEL HELMET AND MUNITIONS FACTORY, UK
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
HM King George VI laughs as he examines equipment during a visit to a factory, somewhere in Britain.
A ROYAL VISIT TO THE LEYLAND FACTORY, ENGLAND, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
HM King George VI and HM Queen Elizabeth talk to a woman operating a fuse testing machine during a visit to the Leyland factory.
Carbine, Machine, Sten, 9mm Mk 2
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: RSAF Enfield
The Sten 'Machine-Carbine' was the standard submachine-gun of the British and Canadian armies during the Second World War. Mk 2 version was produced on a larger scale than any other model. At least 2,600,000 were manufactured, by six different...
VICTORY PARADE IN LONDON, ENGLAND, UK, 8 JUNE 1946
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Men and women of the National Fire Service (NFS) follow behind women of the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) as they march past the Saluting Base in the Mall. HM King George VI and HM Queen Elizabeth stand on the dais, the King taking the Salute....
VICTORY PARADE IN LONDON, ENGLAND, UK, 8 JUNE 1946
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Men of the Royal Air Force march past the Saluting Base in the Mall. HM King George VI and HM Queen Elizabeth stand on the dais, the King taking the Salute. Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret can be also be seen, seated further back on the dais.