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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Smooth Finish - Perfect Flight
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1939
whole: the image occupies the majority. The title is integrated and positioned in the lower third, in black with white shadowing. All set against a blue background. image: a depiction of a bird, with overly elongated wings, flying against stylised blue...
It's the Women We Need
(posters) Made by: Sutton, R Fran (artist)
whole: the two images are positioned in the upper quarter and lower half. The title is partially integrated and placed in the centre, in black cursive script. The text is separate and positioned in the lower quarter, in black. Further, transparent text...
Keep a Guard on What You Say..
(posters) Made by: Games, Abram (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in white. All set against a black background. image: a stylized portrait of a British infantryman, with his mouth formed in the shape of a sentinel's hut...
Start Off on the Right Foot for 'Civvy Street'
(posters) Made by: Freeth, Thomas (artist) 1945-09
whole: the image is positioned in the upper four-fifths, mainly held within a black and red border. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in red with black shadowing. The text is separate and placed across the top edge, in black...
Join ARP - Enrol at any Fire Station
(posters) Made by: Johnson, Andrew (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority, with the Auxiliary Fire Service emblem positioned in the lower right. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper left, in orange. The subtitle is separate and positioned in the lower third, in blue. All...
This Is Where Our Products Fight!
(posters) Made by: McKerrow (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority, held within a narrow black border. The title is separate and positioned along the top edge, in red. The text is integrated and positioned across the majority, in black. Further text is separate and positioned at...
Here's a Man's Job!
(posters) Made by: Bowmar (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority, with the ARP emblem positioned in the lower right. The title is separate and placed along the bottom edge, in red and in blue. The text is integrated and positioned in the upper left, in red. All set against a...
Air Raid Wardens Wanted
(posters) Made by: Bacon, Cecil Walter (artist) 1939
whole: the image is positioned in the lower three-quarters, with a Civil Defence emblem placed in the upper right. The title is partially integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in blue and in orange. The text is integrated and placed in the...
Poison Gas Exhibition
(posters) Made by: Ministry of Information (publisher/sponsor)
whole: the image occupies the majority. The title is integrated and positioned across the centre, in red and white cursive script. The text is separate and placed across the bottom edge, in red, held within a white inset. A blank white inset is located...
Into Action
(posters) Made by: Jobson (artist) 1942
whole: the image is positioned in the upper three-quarters. The title and text are separate and placed in the lower quarter, in black. All set against a yellow background. image: a depiction of a RAF De Havilland Mosquito bomber aircraft dropping bombs...