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
Third personal inscription made by A. Ericson reading: 'The Fukier (?) is a bastard; Ericson; 7 days'. A. Ericson could refer to Private W. Erickson of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, Army service number 3050505, POW number 18448, 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. Inscription reading: 'Maria Peter; 1940-09-11, 11-60-49...' Second personal inscription made by A. Ericson reading: 'A. Ericson; Aberdeen'. It could refer to Private W. Erickson of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, Army service...
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 A. Ericson reading: 'A. Ericson; Aberdeen'. It could refer to Private W. Erickson of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, Army service number 3050505, POW number 18448, imprisoned in Stalag XXA (...
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. Part of a personal inscription made by a French soldier named Henri Trileach (?) reading: 'Henri Trileach; 55 Riatcar; Prisonnier 21/6/1940'. Part of an inscription in Polish reading: 'W tej tiurmie siedzial ... jeden młody piękny...
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 an unidentified soldier of the Gordon Highlanders, Army service number 2483182 (?). Caption reading: 'Pte P. Ro... 2483182 (?); Gordon Hi...; Captured ... Celles 21 July 1940; ... in celles; ... 1940;...
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 Polish reading: 'W tej tiurmie siedzial ... jeden młody piękny (?), 24 7 89 11 12 13 - In this prison was locked ... one young and beautiful (?). Personal inscription made by an unidentified soldier of the Gordon...
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. Part of a personal inscription made by an unidentified soldier of the Gordon Highlanders, Army service number 2483182 (?). Caption reading: 'Pte P. Ro... 2483182 (?); Gordon Hi...; Captured ... Celles 21 July 1940; ... in celles...