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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Collections search

scarf, Jacqmar, 'Into Battle
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Jacqmar
Second World War period Jacqmar scarf; British 'home front' associations.
scarf, Jacqmar, 'Salvage Your Rubber
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Jacqmar
Second World War period British propaganda scarf by Jacqmar of London and worn on the 'Home Front' by S Knapman. Jacqmar of London made propaganda scarves from 1940-1945. They were based in Mayfair (16 Grosvenor Street) and many were produced for the...
scarf, Jacqmar, 'Salvage Your Rubber
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Jacqmar
Second World War period Jacqmar scarf. Jacqmar of London made propaganda scarves from 1940-1945. They were based in Mayfair (16 Grosvenor Street) and many were produced for the export market as well as for wartime sweethearts, particularly in London. The...
scarf, Jacqmar, 'Happy Landings
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Jacqmar
Second World War period British propaganda scarf by Jacqmar purchased by and associated with the service of Yvonne George in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). Yvonne George joined up in 1940-41, moved to the Intelligence Branch and eventually...
Monopoly
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: John Waddington Ltd, London & Leeds
Second World War period British board game. Its wartime provenance is reflected by the fact that the 'property accessories' have been replaced by wooden parts, and a Spinner has been substituted for the dice. Waddington made a variety of board games such...
scarf, Jacqmar, 'Envelopes
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Jacqmar
Second World War period British propaganda scarf by Jacqmar contrived from a 'pull' of cotton-like cloth and over-printed with motifs celebrating the role of the French fighting and merchant marine services together with the Resistance in the world...
scarf, Jacqmar, 'Into Battle
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Jacqmar
Second World War period Jacqmar scarf. Jacqmar of London made propaganda scarves from 1940-1945. They were based in Mayfair (16 Grosvenor Street) and many were produced for the export market as well as for wartime sweethearts, particularly in London. The...
scarf, Jacqmar, 'Careless Talk Costs Lives
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Jacqmar
Second World War period Jacqmar scarf. Jacqmar of London made propaganda scarves from 1940-1945. They were based in Mayfair (16 Grosvenor Street) and many were produced for the export market as well as for wartime sweethearts, particularly in London. The...
scarf, Jacqmar, 'Churchill
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Jacqmar
Second World War British propaganda scarf by Jacqmar celebrating the wartime achievements of Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Jacqmar of London made propaganda scarves from 1940-1945. They were based in Mayfair (16 Grosvenor Street) and many were...
scarf, Jacqmar, 'Into Battle
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Jacqmar
Second World War period Jacqmar scarf associated with Mrs Daphne Hill who purchased the item in 1944 for 42 shillings. Jacqmar of London made propaganda scarves from 1940-1945. They were based in Mayfair (16 Grosvenor Street) and many were produced for...