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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LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Wartime Entertainers: The singer Vera Lynn, who became so popular with British servicemen that she was known as the 'Forces Sweetheart' sings to workers during their lunch break at a factory in the south of England.
AMERICAN LEASE AND LEND FOOD BEING EATEN IN ENGLAND, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF FOOD SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Food official photographer
A sailor, an airman and a soldier (not quite visible) help themselves to a lunch of American Luncheon Meat and salad in the canteen at the Beaver Club.
MINISTRY OF FOOD MEALS, UK, c 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF FOOD SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Food official photographer
A young girl drinks a glass of milk as she sits on a sofa to read a book. Milk was seen as extremely important for the health of children, and priority for fresh milk in wartime was given to children: adults had to make do with powdered milk.
WORKERS' WELFARE AT A ROYAL ORDNANCE FACTORY, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Off-duty women war workers choose books from the library at the residential club that is provided for them at their munitions factory hostel, probably ROF Bridgend. A poster behind them states that Warship Week runs from 15-22 November.
WORKERS' WELFARE AT A ROYAL ORDNANCE FACTORY, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Off-duty war workers relax in armchairs and have a sing-song at the residential club that is provided for them at their munitions factory hostel, probably ROF Bridgend. One woman plays a piano accompaniment.
WORKERS' WELFARE AT A ROYAL ORDNANCE FACTORY, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Women war workers queue for a meal at the serving hatch in the canteen of the residential club that is provided for them at their munitions factory hostel, probably ROF Bridgend.
FEMALE BUILDERS AT WORK, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A group of female builders sit on a horse-drawn cart with some of their male colleagues on a building site, somewhere in Britain. They are listening to an address being given by a Colonel of the Royal Engineers, just back from Malta (not pictured).
FACTORY WELFARE: THE WORKS CANTEEN, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Off duty war workers queue at a kiosk attached to the works canteen at their munitions factory, somewhere in Britain. According to the original caption, the workers can buy cigarettes and sweets from the kiosk.
LIFE IN A MINISTRY OF SUPPLY HOSTEL, UK, c 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A general view of the lounge of a munitions factory hostel, somewhere in Britain. Men and women relax and read in armchairs in this lounge, which is just one of the many welfare facilities available at this hostel.
LIFE IN A MINISTRY OF SUPPLY HOSTEL, UK, c 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A general view of the library at a munitions factory hostel, somewhere in Britain. Women workers read in armchairs provided in the library, which is just one of the many welfare facilities available at this hostel. Bookcases can be seen around the...