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 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 reads a newspaper on the platform while waiting for a train at St Andrews during a trip to Scotland to visit Polish troops, inspect coastal defences and tour a Naval Establishment in Fife on 23 October 1940.
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
Winston Churchill reads a despatch from General Sir John Dill, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, during a visit to Luton, England, on 23 May 1941.
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
The Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his wife, Clementine, sit on board a naval auxiliary patrol vessel as it travels down the Thames towards docks in east London on 25 September 1940.
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
The Prime Minister Winston Churchill with his daughter, Mary, onboard HMS DUKE OF YORK shortly before leaving for the United States of America in December 1941.
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
The Prime Minister Winston Churchill fires a Thompson 'Tommy' submachine gun alongside Supreme Allied Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force General Dwight D Eisenhower as American soldiers look on in southern England in late March 1944.
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
The Prime Minister Winston Churchill inspects bomb damage caused by Luftwaffe night raids in Ramsgate, Kent, England on 28 August 1940.
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
The Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his wife, Clementine, stand on the deck of the QUEEN MARY upon arrival in Scotland after a visit to Canada on 26 September 1944.
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
The Prime Minister Winston Churchill sings with a group of Australian troops at Tidworth, Hampshire, England, during his visit to the camp on 4 September 1940.
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
The Prime Minister Winston Churchill poses outside 10 Downing Street, London, England, wearing a Thumbs up badge on 21 November 1941.