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

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...
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.
warning sign, Air Raid, all clear/warning
(equipment)
Second World War period British Air Raid Precautions (ARP) warning sign. A sign of this type was included in the fabric of the Cabinet War Rooms and used more generally to indicate air raid conditions to personnel sheltering in deep bomb proofs, control...
Boots' Air Raid Precautions First Aid Case with contents
(equipment) Made by: Boots Ltd, Nottingham
This Air Raid Precautions (ARP) First Aid Case (actually a cardboard box with a hinged lid), dates from the early part of the Second World War. It was retailed by Boots the Chemist. It is a typical example of the type of first aid kit with which...
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.
black-out curtain fasteners
(equipment) Made by: Newey's
Second World War period blackout curtain-fasteners (made by Newey's) which were intended to be screwed into the wall around the window frame. A separate pack had to be purchased with the 'other side' of the snaps to sew onto the curtain, after which the...
adhesive window netting, ARP, British
(equipment)
Second World War period British manufactured 'Splinternet', an adhesive window netting product which was applied to moistened window panes in order to reduce glass splinter fragments in the event of a bomb blast. British Home Front and Air Raid...
respirator, anti-gas, 'Civilian Duty'
(equipment) Made by: P B C (mask) 1941-09
British Second World War anti-gas respirator (gas mask) of the type issued to Air Raid Precautions (ARP) personnel whose duties required them to wear a more substantial mask that the standard civilian issue.
ARP incendiary bomb scoop: British
(equipment)
Second World War period Air Raid Precautions (ARP) 'incendiary scop'. The scoop was 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...
ARP illuminated 'Shelter' sign
(equipment)
Second World War period British home front Air Raid Precautions (ARP) illuminated shelter sign. This electrically operated, internally illuminated light box, with an overhanging top to limit any stray light, was designed to be attached to a lamp-post, or...