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

boots, pair of (with clip-on skates)
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Herbert Kay (Koniec) brought these boots and clip-on ice skates with him when he was evacuated from Czechoslovakia on one of the Kindertransports in June 1939. He is the brother of Dorothea Douglas who was also a Kinder. Herbert recalls: 'I left...
ARP incendiary bomb scoop: British
(equipment)
Second World War Air Raid Precautions (ARP) 'incendiary scoop'. The implement was designed used for shovelling sand on an incendiary bomb or even, as circumstances allowed, the dislodgement and removal of small incendiary bomb devices. British Home Front...
badge, 'V for Victory', British
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Second World War period 'V' for Victory patriotic propaganda badge, British Home Front associations.
bell, ARP
(equipment) 1939
Second World War period British Air Raid Precautions (ARP) warden's 'all clear' hand bell. If a gas attack was suspected warning was given locally by means of the ARP warden's hand rattle and the all clear was announced through the ringing of hand bells.
fuze timer (electro-mechanical)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: atb (Hydrometer AG)
Second World War German electro-mechanical fuze timer that was removed from a parachute mine, which fell through the top of a large gasometer at Garston Gas Works, Liverpool, on 28 November 1940. The mine was made safe by Temporary Lieutenant (later...
SD 2 'Butterfly Bomb
(weapons and ammunition) 1943
The German SD 2 'Butterfly Bomb' was used on a large scale during the Second World War, and was designed as an anti-personnel/fragmentation weapon. They were delivered by air, being dropped in containers that opened at a predetermined height, thus...
sand bucket
(equipment)
Second World War period ARP bucket designed to be filled with sand or water for dealing with incendiary bombs. British home front associations.
badge, British, Women's Home Defence Force
(uniforms and insignia)
Second World War, British Home Front, Women's Home Defence Force badge. An unofficial organisation founded by Dr Edith Summerskill (nicknamed 'Flossie Bang Bang'), Labour MP for Fulham West, in December 1941. No uniform was worn just this enamel badge....
war savings commemorative plaque, British
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: De La Rue Plastics 1943
Second World War British home front war savings campaign plaque in moulded bakelite, manufactured by De La Rue Plastics. The rectangular ivory-coloured plastic presentation wall plaque specifically commemorates support for the 'Per Ardua Ad Astra...
war savings commemorative plaque, British
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: De La Rue Plastics 1944
Second World War British home front war savings campaign plaque in moulded bakelite, manufactured by De La Rue Plastics. The rectangular ivory-coloured plastic presentation wall plaque specifically commemorates support for the 'For Freedom War Savings...