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. Personal inscription made by a serviceman probably called Ritson. Caption reads: '...Rits...; 5 days; More to come'. Personal inscription made by serviceman J. or T. Smith of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Caption reads...
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 (or about him) Private H. Wright of the South Staffordshire Regiment, Army service number 4915673. Caption reads: 'Pte H. Wright; 4915673; S Staff Regt; Transferred to 4th Worcester; Captured 26th May...
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
Second personal inscription made by Private Robert Connolly of the 1st Battalion, the Loyal Regiment; Army service number 3858497, POW number 11356. Caption reads: 'Bob Connolly; 10 - 5 - 4..., 5 Days Bunker (?); 1st Btn the Loyal Regiment'. Part of 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. Partly erased inscription in French reading: ... toliets le beau voyage; Baccarat; wagons, sleepings, billets aller simples'. Part of a personal inscription made by Private Eric W. Turner of the 1th Battalion, the Oxfordshire and...
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 Private E. J. Hughes of the 8th Battalion, the Worcestershire Regiment; Army service number 885921, POW number 50394. Caption reads: Pte Hughes 885921; 8th Batt Worcestershire Regiment; A regular soldier; Also a regular cunt...
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 serviceman probably called Ritson. Caption reads: '...Rits...; 5 days; More to come'. Personal inscription made by serviceman J. or T. Smith of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Caption reads...
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. Partly erased inscription in French reading: ... toliets le beau voyage; Baccarat; wagons, sleepings, billets aller simples'. Personal inscription made by Private Eric W. Turner of the 1th Battalion, the Oxfordshire and...
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 (subject to translation). Personal inscription made by Driver A. F. Roach of the 7th Reserve Motor Transport Company, the Royal Army Service Corps, Army service number 121556; POW number 7802. Caprion reads: ,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. Almost completely erased personal inscription. Personal inscription made by an unidentified soldier of the South Staffordshire Regiment, transferred to the Worcestershire Regiment, Army service number 4919670 (?), unfortunately...