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 translation). Part of a defiant inscription, unfortunately mostly unreadable: '...Forget; ... ...Busted; ... Comrades are not; ... Carry the old colour; ... So chin up for a little ...' Personal...
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. Regimental badge with caption reading 'Green Brd (?). Caption reading 'Clydebank and Ruby'. Caption reading: 'Let Me Out You Bastards'. Personal inscription/warning made by Horace Davies of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry...
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 'Clydebank and Ruby'. Caption reading: 'Let Me Out You Bastards'. Inscription reading: 'Hitler you bastard of all...' Inscription in French (subject to translation). Defiant inscription reading: 'German pigs won't...
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 reading: 'Souvenir Dun Prisonnier'. Personal inscription made by Driver A. F. Roach of the 7th Reserve Motor Transport Company, the Royal Army Service Corps, Army service number 121556; POW number 7802. Caprion...
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 Driver A. F. Roach of the 7th Reserve Motor Transport Company, the Royal Army Service Corps, Army service number 121556; POW number 7802. Caprion reads: ,A. Roach; No 7 Reserve MT Coy; RASC; 5 days...
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
Second personal inscription made by Private Robert Connolly of the 1st Battalion, the Loyal Regiment; Army service number 3858497, POW number 11356. Caption reads: 'Bob Connolly; 10 - 5 - 4..., 5 Days Bunker (?); 1st Btn the Loyal Regiment'. Part of a...
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: 'Hitler you bastard of all...' Inscription in French (subject to translation). Defiant inscription reading: 'German pigs won't break me; So don't let them to break you; 2 dinners... 8 days...' The rest is...
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 translation). Personal inscription made by Driver A. F. Roach of the 7th Reserve Motor Transport Company, the Royal Army Service Corps, Army service number 121556; POW number 7802. Caprion reads: ,A...