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 KATYN MASSACRE, 1940
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR PRESS AGENCY PRINT COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: German official photographer 1943-05-04
Members of the International Medical Commission in Berlin at the meeting with German Health State Leader, Dr Leonardo Conti. From left to right: 2nd - Dr François Naville, Professor of Forensic Medicine at the University of Geneva, Switzerland; 4th - Dr...
THE KATYN MASSACRE, 1940
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR PRESS AGENCY PRINT COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: German official photographer 1943-04-30
Members of the International Medical Commission checking exhumed bodies of victims with more bodies visible behind them. Dr Reimond Speleers, Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Ghent and Dr Vincenzo Palmieri, Professor of Forensic Medicine...
THE KATYN MASSACRE, 1940
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR PRESS AGENCY PRINT COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: German official photographer 1943-04-30
Another witness of the massacre and a local resident, possibly Ivan Krivozertsev, giving his evidence to the members of International Medical Commission. Dr Reimond Speleers, Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Ghent; Dr Marko Markov,...
THE KATYN MASSACRE, 1940
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR PRESS AGENCY PRINT COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: German official photographer 1943-04-30
Another witness of the massacre and a local resident, possibly Ivan Krivozertsev, giving his testimony to Dr Ferenc Orsós, Professor of Forensic Medicine and Criminology Institute at the University of Budapest. Other members of the International Medical...
THE KATYN MASSACRE, 1940
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR PRESS AGENCY PRINT COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: German official photographer 1943-04-30
Parfemon Kiselev, a local resident of Katyn area and a witness of the massacre, giving his testimony to Dr Ferenc Orsós, Professor of Forensic Medicine and Criminology at the University of Budapest, a member of the International Medical Commission. Dr...
THE KATYN MASSACRE, 1940
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR PRESS AGENCY PRINT COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: German official photographer 1943-04-30
Dr Reimond Speleers, Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Ghent, watching a display of personal belongings found on the bodies of murdered officers. In the background Dr Alexandru Birkle of Romania, Dr Marko Markov of Bulgaria and Dr Ferenc...