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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ALLIED VICTORY PARADE IN LONDON, 1946
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
A Churchill bridgelayer and Sherman Flail (mine clearance vehicle) that formed part of the Royal Armoured Corps contingent in the Victory Parade in London on 8 June 1946.
ALLIED VICTORY PARADE IN LONDON, 1946
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
A column of Royal Air Force vehicles, led by a lorry towing a 22,000 lb bomb on a 10-ton trailer, take part in the Victory Parade in London on 8 June 1946.
ALLIED VICTORY PARADE IN LONDON, 1946
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Four DUKW amphibious vehicles taking part in the Victory Parade in London on 8 June 1946.
ALLIED VICTORY PARADE IN LONDON, 1946
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Men of the United States forces followed by the Chinese and Belgian contingents in the Victory Parade in London on 8 June 1946.
ALLIED VICTORY PARADE IN LONDON, 1946
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
The contingent representing the Royal Navy on the march during in the Victory Parade in London on 8 June 1946.
ALLIED VICTORY PARADE IN LONDON, 1946
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
The band of the 8th Punjab Regiment, leading the band of the Royal Garhwal Rifles, head the contingent of infantry from the Indian Army during in the Victory Parade in London on 8 June 1946.
ALLIED VICTORY PARADE IN LONDON, 1946
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Men of the Transjordan and Sudanese military forces on the march during in the Victory Parade in London on 8 June 1946.
ALLIED VICTORY PARADE IN LONDON, 1946
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Servicemen and women of the South African contingent on the march during in the Victory Parade in London on 8 June 1946.
ALLIED VICTORY PARADE IN LONDON, 1946
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
The Canadian contingent (navy, army and air force) followed by the personnel representing the three armed services of Australia on the march during in the Victory Parade in London on 8 June 1946.
ALLIED VICTORY PARADE IN LONDON, 1946
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
The large contingent formed of men from British infantry regiments on the march during in the Victory Parade in London on 8 June 1946.