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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CECIL BEATON PHOTOGRAPHS: TYNESIDE SHIPYARDS, ENGLAND, 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Beaton Cecil
The end of the shift. Tens of workers, both male and female, having finished their work stream off a large vessel and through the shipyard.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Aircraft construction: Women workers attaching the skin of an aircraft to its frame; one operates a pneumatic air hammer which produces rivets, while another uses a dolly on the opposite side of the skin.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Aircraft construction: A group of women work on the final assembly of a Bristol Beaufighter aircraft.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Munitions production: A skilled woman welding an 18 gauge mild steel tube around which are welded eight right-angle brackets.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Munitions production: A woman truck driver transports heavy loads around a factory shop.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Munitions production: A woman worker operating specialised milling machinery in a factory.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Aircraft construction: Women riveting the rear fuselage of a Fairey aircraft.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Aircraft construction: Women workers carrying out salvage and repair work on a Fairey Swordfish aircraft.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Beaton, Cecil
Shipbuilding: A welder, wearing a protective mask, at work in a British shipyard.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Factory canteens: Behind the counter of a Royal Ordnance factory canteen, women prepare to serve dinners.