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 reading: Maicie, 141 Bellfield'. Personal inscription written about Private A. M. Brecknock of the South Staffordshire Regiment, transferred to the Worcestershire Regiment, Army service number 4975958, POW number 6857...
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 S. Head. Assuming it is a serviceman's name it could refer to Corporal J. S. Head of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (OBLI), Army service number 5333146, POW number 11782. He was 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 the bottom. Personal inscription made probably by Corporal J. M. Dick of the 1st Battalion Black Watch (Tyneside Scottish), Army service number 2754282, POW number 16019. Caption reads: 'Cpl ... Dick; 1st Black Watch; ... September...'...
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 French. Personal inscription written by (or about him) Driver C. T. W. Martin of the Royal Army Service Corps, Army service number 112280, POW number 6562. Caption reads: 'Driver ... Martin; No 112280; 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. Inscription written by a serviceman named 'Smither' or 'Smelter', unreadable. Two phrases of a popular love poem 'Roses are red': 'Roses are red, violets are blue'. Another two personal inscriptions written by Rifleman J. Chambers...
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. Fifth personal inscription made by Private Bernard Smith of the 4th Battalion, the Seaforth Highlanders, Army service number 2821554, POW number 20886. Caption reads: 'Hitting a German; Bernard Smith; 15 years'. Another two 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. Drawing of a human head wih a caption: 'Big nose'. Drawing of a book titled: 'British Mad'. Drawing of two hearts pierced with an arrow captioned: 'All my love'. Inscription in French reading: 'Thorn ville to ...' Fourth 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. Inscription in French reading: 'Thorn ville to ...' Second personal inscription by Private Eric W. Turner of the 1th Battalion, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, Army service number 5384088, POW number 7595....