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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THE WOMEN'S ARMY AUXILIARY CORPS DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR, FRANCE, 1917
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Brooke J W (Lt) 1918-05-22
Clothing is issued by the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps from a Nissen hut damaged by an air raid at Abbeville, France, on 22 May 1918.
THE WOMEN'S ARMY AUXILIARY CORPS DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR, FRANCE, 1917
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Brooke J W (Lt) 1918-05-22
Members of the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps clearing up the ruins of Nissen huts after an air raid at Abbeville, France, on 22 May 1918.
THE WOMEN'S ARMY AUXILIARY CORPS DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR, FRANCE, 1917
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Brooke J W (Lt) 1918-05-22
Members of Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in a trench constructed for shelter in the event of an aerial attack at Abbeville, France, on 22 May 1918.
THE WOMEN'S ARMY AUXILIARY CORPS DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR, FRANCE, 1917
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Brooke J W (Lt) 1917-09-15
Women's Army Auxiliary Corps cooks in a British Army kitchen at Abbeville, France, on 15 September 1917.
THE WOMEN'S ARMY AUXILIARY CORPS DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR, FRANCE
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Brooke J W (Lt) 1917-09-15
Women's Army Auxiliary Corps members read their orders for the day from a notice board at Abbeville, France, on 15 September 1917.
THE WOMEN'S ARMY AUXILIARY CORPS DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR, FRANCE
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Brooke J W (Lt) 1917-09-15
Women's Army Auxiliary Corps clerks at an advanced motor transport depot at Abbeville, France, on 15 September 1917.
THE WOMEN'S ARMY AUXILIARY CORPS DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR, FRANCE
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Brooke J W (Lt) 1917-09-15
Women's Army Auxiliary Corps mechanics at work on a car engine at Abbeville, France, on 15 September 1917.
THE WOMEN'S ARMY AUXILIARY CORPS DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR, FRANCE
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Brooke J W (Lt) 1917-09-15
Members of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps sort spare parts at an advanced motor transport store at Abbeville, France, on 15 September 1917.
THE WOMEN'S ARMY AUXILIARY CORPS DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR, FRANCE, 1918
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: McLellan D (2nd Lt) 1918-02-09
Members of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) tending the graves of British soldiers in a cemetery at Abbeville, France, on 9 February 1918.