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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WINSTON CHURCHILL DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1940-10-23
The Prime Minister Winston Churchill inspecting troops of the 1st Rifle Brigade (1st Polish Corps) based at St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, accompanied by his wife Clementine, who is wearing a Polish officer's great coat. On the right of the photograph is...
WINSTON CHURCHILL IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1940-10-23
Winston Churchill inspecting troops of the 1st Rifle Brigade (1st Polish Corps) with General Władysław Sikorski at Tentsmuir in Scotland. General Gustaw Paszkiewicz, the CO of the Brigade, is behind General Sikorski.
WINSTON CHURCHILL IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1940-10-23
Winston Churchill inspecting East Coast defences at St Andrews manned by troops of the 1st Polish Rifle Brigade (1st Polish Corps) from the top of a sand dune. Mrs Clementine Churchill is behind him.
WINSTON CHURCHILL IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1940-10-23
Unit of the 1st Polish Rifle Brigade (1st Polish Corps) marching past Winston Churchill and General Władysław Sikorski during a parade at Cupar. General Gustaw Paszkiewicz, the CO of the Brigade, is saluting his soldiers on the left,
WINSTON CHURCHILL IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1940-10-23
Winston Churchill watching troops of the 1st Rifle Brigade (1st Polish Corps) manning a Bofors 37 mm anti-tank gun at Tentsmuir. Other identified individuals are (from left to right): General John Dill, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff (third...
WINSTON CHURCHILL IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1940-10-23
Winston Churchill with his wife and General Władysław Sikorski, the Polish Prime Minister and the C-in-C of the Polish Armed Forces, during an inspection of East Coast defences at St Andrews manned by troops of the 1st Rifle Brigade (1st Polish Corps)....
WINSTON CHURCHILL IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1940-10-23
Winston Churchill inspecting the East Coast defences at St Andrews manned by troops of the 1st Rifle Brigade (1st Polish Corps). Other identified persons from left to right are: General John Dill, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff (far left); Mrs...
WINSTON CHURCHILL IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1940-10-23
Winston Churchill saluting one of the 1st Rifle Brigade (1st Polish Corps) battalions after its inspection at Tentsmuir. Behind him are (from left to right): General John Dill, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, General Władysław Sikorski, General...
WINSTON CHURCHILL IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1940-10-23
Winston Churchill inspecting the East Coast defences at St Andrews manned by troops of the 1st Rifle Brigade (1st Polish Corps) from the top of a sand dune. With him is General John Dill and behind are Mrs Clementine Churchill and General Władysław...
WINSTON CHURCHILL IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1940-10-23
Winston Churchill inspecting troops of the 1st Rifle Brigade (1st Polish Corps) with General Władysław Sikorski at Tentsmuir in Scotland. Generals Gustaw Paszkiewicz, the CO of the Brigade, and Tadeusz Klimecki, Chief of the Polish General Staff, are...