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. Part of a prayer written by Gunner R. Alpin of the Royal Artillery, Army service number 1504764, POW 7041. 'Tho' from each other far we be; Let none O' Christ, be far from other; Sinner Tho' I be; If you are there in for Thee; Amen...
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. Inscriptions/prayers made by Gunner R. Alpin of the Royal Artillery, Army service number 1504764, POW 7041. Captions read: 'Just off to Stalag on charge of attempting escape; R. Alpin'. 'Tho' from each other far we be; Let none O'...
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. Incomplete inscription reading: 'British Navy; 14 days for stealing apples; Horace Man; They can't beat the boys in...' Part of personal inscription made by C. Kemp (?) of the 18th Casualty Clearing Station (CCS), the Royal Army...
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. Inscriptions/prayers made by Gunner R. Alpin of the Royal Artillery, Army service number 1504764, POW 7041. Captions read: 'Just off to Stalag on charge of attempting escape; R. Alpin'. 'Tho' from each other far we be; Let none O'...
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. Incomplete inscription reading: 'British Navy; 14 days for stealing apples; Horace Man; They can't beat the boys in...' Personal inscription made by C. Kemp (?) of the 18th Casualty Clearing Station (CCS), the Royal Army Medical...
Wooden Plaque
(souvenirs and ephemera) 1944
This plaque was made to commemorate Percy Sekine's instruction of Judo and Wrestling activities in Stalag 383 during his time as a prisoner of war in Germany during the Second World War.
Wooden Plaque
(souvenirs and ephemera) 1942
This plaque was made to commemorate Percy’s Sekine’s creation and running of ‘The Four Post Club’ in Stalag 383 during his time as a prisoner of war in Germany during the Second World War.