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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Collections search

bierstein, German
(souvenirs and ephemera)
The bierstein was reputedly made during the Second World War by a Waffen SS prisoner of war.
snuff box, handmade
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Snuffbox made during the Second World War for Major E R C Gimpel (1912-1973) by a fellow inmate of Flossenburg concentration camp; Major Gimpel was held prisoner in the camp between February 1944 and May 1945.
Monopoly
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: John Waddington Ltd, London & Leeds
Second World War period British board game. Its wartime provenance is reflected by the fact that the 'property accessories' have been replaced by wooden parts, and a Spinner has been substituted for the dice. Waddington made a variety of board games such...
carpenter's plane (used glider for construction)
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Carpenter's plane used in the construction of the Second World War 'Colditz Cock' escape glider. For full description of this escape project see EPH 637. The plane was also used in other escape schemes. Flight Lieutenant Jack Best, who helped build the...
saw (for construction of glider)
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Saw used in the construction of the Second World War 'Colditz Cock' escape glider. For full description of this ingenious escape project see EPH 637. Flight Lieutenant Jack Best (RAF), who helped build the glider, later described the origins and history...
carpenter's plane (for glider construction)
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Carpenter's plane used in the construction of the Second World War 'Colditz Cock' escape glider. For full description of this ingenious escape project see EPH 637. The plane was also used in other escape schemes. See EPH 4532 for details of a larger...
pocket knife, as used by Oliver Philpot during his escape from Stalag Luft III
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Pocket knife associated with the Second World War experiences (as a prisoner of war) of Oliver Philpot. Canadian by birth, Philpot first came to the UK to study at Oxford. He joined the Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve (RAFVR), and became a pilot in 42...
painting on bed board of Mike Scott
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Forbes, Hamish
Major Sir Hamish Forbes, the artist of the work, was interned in Laufen Oflag VII C with the subject, during the Second World War. The subject of the painting, Mike Scott, was responsible for the construction of the early "quickie tunnel" at Laufen....
matchbox, 'pst!
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Deutsche Zundwaren Monopolges
Matchbox associated with the Second World War experiences of Oliver Philpot. Canadian by birth, Philpot first came to the UK to study at Oxford. He joined the Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve (RAFVR), and became a pilot in 42 (Torpedo/Bomber) Squadron....
brush, boot
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Second World War period improvised British prisoner of war escape equipment. This boot brush with false back contained German currency and a rice paper map. It was used by Colonel George A D Young DSO while in Colditz as a hiding place for these vital...