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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US BATTLE TRAINING AREA, DEVON, ENGLAND, UK, SEPTEMBER 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Collapsed slate walls and badly damaged trees line the sunny coast road which runs alongside Slapton Sands, part of Start Bay, in Devon. This damage was caused during training exercises in preparation for the D-Day Landings.
US BATTLE TRAINING AREA, DEVON, ENGLAND, UK, SEPTEMBER 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A road in the village of Strete, Devon, showing the damage caused during training exercises in preparation for the D-Day Landings. The windows of the house on the left have no glass, and the buildings on the right, including the old Women's Institute,...
US BATTLE TRAINING AREA, DEVON, ENGLAND, UK, SEPTEMBER 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Damaged trees line the road overlooking Start Bay in Devon, looking south west towards Start Point in the distance. Slapton Ley is separated from the sea by the beach road.
US BATTLE TRAINING AREA, DEVON, ENGLAND, UK, SEPTEMBER 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Churches and monuments were marked 'Out of Bounds' by the Range Commandant when the American army took over the area for training exercises prior to D-Day. This church, probably at Stokenham, has its gates padlocked, and barbed wire placed around it.
US BATTLE TRAINING AREA, DEVON, ENGLAND, UK, SEPTEMBER 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
The view from the road which stretches from the village of Strete down to Slapton Sands (part of Start Bay) and Slapton Ley, Devon, showing the damage to the wall which occurred during training exercises carried out in preparation for the D-Day Landings...
US BATTLE TRAINING AREA, DEVON, ENGLAND, UK, SEPTEMBER 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
The Women's Institute in the village of Strete, Devon, was burned down during training exercises carried out in preparation for the D-Day Landings. The chimneys and part of the walls are still standing, although the roof is badly damaged and weeds are...
US BATTLE TRAINING AREA, DEVON, ENGLAND, UK, SEPTEMBER 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Civil Defence Leader Harry Court cuts glass in Torcross Post Office, Torcross, on Slapton Sands in Devon. Harry comes from Sidmouth in Devon and is a carpenter and joiner in peacetime. The glass is for new windows which are to replace those damaged by...
US BATTLE TRAINING AREA, DEVON, ENGLAND, UK, SEPTEMBER 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Damage to the interior of Slapton Church in Devon, caused by naval shelling which occurred during training exercises carried out in preparation for the D-Day Landings. The aisle is lined with rubble and the pews are badly damaged. According to the...
US BATTLE TRAINING AREA, DEVON, ENGLAND, UK, SEPTEMBER 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A pile of sandbags protects the pulpit of Slapton Church in Devon. These bags were installed to protect the church interior during training exercises carried out by the US Army in preparation for the D-Day Landings. The church was badly damaged by...
US BATTLE TRAINING AREA, DEVON, ENGLAND, UK, SEPTEMBER 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A view of Slapton Church in Devon, looking through the gate, past a sign which reads "Out of Bounds By Order Range Commandant". All churches and historic monuments in the area were padlocked, covered in barbed wire and designated as out of bounds whilst...