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.

Main menu

IWM London
London
Open daily 10am - 6pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December

Admission is free
- What's On
- Visiting Information
IWM North
Manchester
Open daily 10am - 5pm
Last admission 4.30pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December

Admission is free
- What's On
- Visiting Information
IWM Duxford
Cambridgeshire
Open daily

Summer 10am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm

Winter 10am - 4pm
Last admission 3pm

Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
- What's On
- Visiting Information
Churchill War Rooms
London
Open daily 9.30am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
- What's On
- Visiting Information
HMS Belfast
London
Open daily 10am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
- What's On
- Visiting Information

Collections search

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 Bernard Smith of the 4th Battalion, the Seaforth Highlanders, Army service number 2821554, POW number 20886. Caption reads: 'Camp; Bernard Smith; 15 years for knocking a German out for the count;...
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). Part of a defiant inscription, unfortunately mostly unreadable: '...Forget; ... ...Busted; ... Comrades are not; ... Carry the old colour; ... So chin up for a little ...' 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. Caption reading: 'Let Me Out You Bastards'. Personal inscription/warning made by Horace Davies of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI). Caption reads: 'Warning; Never let your braces dangle; 3 days bunker; KOYLI; Horace...
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. Regimental badge with caption reading 'Green Brd (?). Caption reading 'Clydebank and Ruby'. Caption reading: 'Let Me Out You Bastards'. Personal inscription/warning made by Horace Davies of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry...
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 'Clydebank and Ruby'. Caption reading: 'Let Me Out You Bastards'. Inscription reading: 'Hitler you bastard of all...' Inscription in French (subject to translation). Defiant inscription reading: 'German pigs won'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
From top to bottom. Defiant inscription reading: 'German pigs won't break me; So don't let them to break you; 2 dinners... 8 days...' The rest is missing. Fort XI of Stalag XXA (20A) in Toruń (Thorn).
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
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. 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...