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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BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN STALAG XXA (20A) IN TORUŃ (THORN), 1940-1945
part of "THE STALAG XXA COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Gąsior, Mariusz 2011-12-12
From top to bottom. Inscription in French (subject to translate). Personal inscription made by Private R. Scott of the Seaforth Highlanders, Army service number 2821994, POW number 18825. Caption reads: 'R. Scott; Seaforth Hgs; 18825; POW No'. He was...
BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN STALAG XXA (20A) IN TORUŃ (THORN), 1940-1945
part of "THE STALAG XXA COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Gąsior, Mariusz 2011-12-12
From top to bottom. Second personal inscription made by Corporal James MacDonald, HQ Company, 1st Battalion, the Gordon Highlanders, Army service number 2873448, POW number 36495. Caption reads: 'Cpl James MacDonald; HQ Coy, 1st Bn The Gordon Hrs; 14...
BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN STALAG XXA (20A) IN TORUŃ (THORN), 1940-1945
part of "THE STALAG XXA COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Gąsior, Mariusz 2011-12-12
From top to bottom. Two drawings of a cross with a caption on the bottom reading: 'In Memory of ...' Inscription made by W/R (?) Taylor reading '... Taylor; 8 Days, 16 Sept 1941 (?)'. There were a number of servicemen named Taylor imprisoned in Stalag...
BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN STALAG XXA (20A) IN TORUŃ (THORN), 1940-1945
part of "THE STALAG XXA COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Gąsior, Mariusz 2011-12-12
From top to bottom. Personal inscription made by serviceman named Martin of the 5th Battalion, the Gloucestershire Regiment. Not registered in the 'Prisoners of War: British Army 1939-1945' publication. Personal inscription made by Private F. Heavyside...
BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN STALAG XXA (20A) IN TORUŃ (THORN), 1940-1945
part of "THE STALAG XXA COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Gąsior, Mariusz 2011-12-12
From top to bottom. Inscription reading: 'Sea (?) all British boys'. Inscription in Polish reading: 'Tu siedział polski niewolnik Bolesław Jaczam (Paczam?) - Here was imprisoned Polish slave Bolesław Jaczam'. Large drawing of a cross with Jesus with...
BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN STALAG XXA (20A) IN TORUŃ (THORN), 1940-1945
part of "THE STALAG XXA COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Gąsior, Mariusz 2011-12-12
From top to bottom. Inscription reading: 'Sea (?) all British boys'. Inscription in Polish reading: 'Tu siedział polski niewolnik Bolesław Jaczam (Paczam?) - Here was imprisoned Polish slave Bolesław Jaczam'. Second personal inscription made by...
BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN STALAG XXA (20A) IN TORUŃ (THORN), 1940-1945
part of "THE STALAG XXA COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Gąsior, Mariusz 2011-12-12
From top to bottom. Caption reading S. Head. Assuming it is a serviceman's name it could refer to Corporal J. S. Head of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (OBLI), Army service number 5333146, POW number 11782. He was imprisoned in...
BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN STALAG XXA (20A) IN TORUŃ (THORN), 1940-1945
part of "THE STALAG XXA COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Gąsior, Mariusz 2011-12-12
from top to bottom. Large inscription 'Scotland For Ever'. Second personal inscription made by Corporal James MacDonald, HQ Company, 1st Battalion, the Gordon Highlanders, Army service number 2873448, POW number 36495. Caption reads: 'Cpl James...