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
Two personal inscriptions, grouped together, made by: Private P. H. Monk of the 2/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment, Army service number 4859290, POW number 4839. In the 'Prisoners of War; British Army 1939-1945' publication he is listed as 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
Personal inscription made by unidentified serviceman of the 23rd Field Regiment of the Royal Artillery, his surname is incomplete. Caption reads: 'Dvr S. Wal...; RHQ Troop; 23 Field Regiment; Royal Artillery; Done 16 day buckslee so far; Intense not come...
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 in Polish reading; 'Niech żyje Polska - Long Live Poland' with a drawing of a Polish flag (not in the photograph). Another inscription reading: 'Stan is on the Gordons; ... And ... the past bring me the rations.' 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. Personal inscription made by Private Frank? Bouldy (Boulby?) of 4th Battalion, the Gordon Highlanders; Army service number 4742974, POW number 19934. Caption reads: 'Frank Bouldy; Captured May 8 1940; 4 Gordon Hdr...; Escaped ...;...
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
Personal inscription made by A. Ericson reading: '10 days bunker.' 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 (more likely). Corporal W. 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. Personal inscription made by A. Ericson reading: '10 days bunker.' 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 (more likely...
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. Commemoration note for Benny Bonn (?), missing in action on 20 May 1940 (?). Surname is probably incomplete as there is no record of anyone of that name on Commonwealth War Graves Commission database. Caption reading: 'Lichfield'....
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 der swine'. Two long inscriptions in English, unreadable, written probably by a prisoner named S. Ashworth. It could refer to Gunner S. Ashworth of the Royal Artillery, Army service number 3444127, POW...
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
Long inscription titled 'Combrian' or 'Gombrian Bith' written by R. Lewis of the Gloucestershire Regiment, 2nd Battalion. Caption reads: 'The time will come when we can; ... ...if we tortured the bastards; R. Lewis'. R. Lewis is not listed in the '...