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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The Tube: October 1940
(art) Made by: Topolski, Feliks 1940-10-01
image: The interior of Leicester Square underground station with figures lying asleep on the floor of the station platform. There is a large man sitting smoking a pipe in the foreground, and several ARP wardens wearing helmets standing further down the...
An Escalator in an Underground Factory
(art) Made by: Dobson, Frank (RA) 1944
image: crowds of women factory workers in white overalls descend an escalator. A figure with a bicycle goes up the escalator on the other side.
A Medical Aid Post in a Tube Station. Sister has a new patient
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1941
image: A sister greets a woman and small boy who are entering the room. Behind her is a table with kettle, teapot and cups.
In a Medical Aid Post : back view of sister
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1941
image: A sister is seem with her back to the viewer talking to a man leaning against the wall. Behind them is curtained cubicle and a cabinet holding some bottles.
In the Tube
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1941
image: A view of an underground station corridor. People are sleeping on the floor and in bunks three levels high. A woman is standing next to the bunks, talking to the person at the top.
In a Medical Aid Post
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1941
image: Two nurses stand next to a seated man who is raising his hand for them to inspect. image verso: Study for the finished drawing. Line drawing of a nurse.
Shelterers Waiting to Enter the Tube
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1940
image: A group of women and children sit in the street. A man in a cap stands next to them.
Sleeping in a Shelter
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1940
image: A front view of people sleeping in a shelter. Some at the back are leaning against the wall, others sit infront of them with children sleeping on their knees. Some sleep on the floor. In the foreground there is an old man wearing a bowler hat,...
Play Upstairs Interrupted
(art) Made by: Kapp, Edmond Xavier 1941
image: A young girl sits slumped asleep in an arm chair, behind her is a tiled wall suggesting an Underground tunnel.
Snorers Sheltering in any Tube Station
(art) Made by: Kapp, Edmond Xavier
image: a woman sleeps on her back on the floor of the tube station next to a pillar. She is lying with her mouth open and leans against a second figure sleeping on the floor next to her.