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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ACTIVITIES AT THE ROYAL AIR FORCE RESETTLEMENT CENTRE, SCARBOROUGH
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Although not compulsory, many of the repatriated prisoners of war at No 1 Resettlement Centre, Scarborough, found the well equipped gymnasium a useful asset.
ACTIVITIES AT THE ROYAL AIR FORCE RESETTLEMENT CENTRE, SCARBOROUGH
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Although not compulsory, many of the repatriated prisoners of war at No 1 Resettlement Centre, Scarborough, found the well equipped gymnasium a useful asset.
ACTIVITIES AT THE ROYAL AIR FORCE RESETTLEMENT CENTRE, SCARBOROUGH
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
The facilities of the Yorkshire Tennis Club were made available on some afternoons to the repatriated prisoners of war at No 1 Resettlement Centre, Scarborough.
ACTIVITIES AT THE ROYAL AIR FORCE RESETTLEMENT CENTRE, SCARBOROUGH
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
For the repatriated prisoners of war attending No 1 Resettlement Centre, Scarborough, afternoons were free time. Many took the chance to play or watch sports such as football.
SPORT IN PRISONER OF WAR CAMPS DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "THE BRITISH ARMY 1940 - 1945: BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN POLAND AND GERMANY" (photographs)
A football match in progress at Stalag XXID.
SPORT IN PRISONER OF WAR CAMPS DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN GERMANY 1939 - 1945" (photographs) Made by: Lawrence, W (W/O)
British prisoners of war playing cricket at Stalag VIIIB prisoner of war camp, Lamsdorf in Germany.
SPORT IN PRISONER OF WAR CAMPS DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "THE BRITISH ARMY 1940 - 1945: BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN POLAND AND GERMANY" (photographs)
'Aston Villa' football team at Stalag XXID.
THE PRISONER OF WAR CAMP AT SAGAN, SILESIA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "RAF PRISONERS OF WAR IN SAGAN POW CAMP, GERMANY 1939 - 1945" (photographs)
Prisoners of war watching a boxing match at Stalag Luft III POW camp, scene of the 'Great Escape' in 1944.
Collection: FROST E (SAPPER)
(photographs)
Photographic prints relating to British prisoners of War in Stalag VIIIB (from 1943 Stalag 344) at Lamsdorf (Lambinowice) during the Second World War. Stalag VIIIB was one of the largest camps in Germany, housing up to 100,000 Allied prisoners. Most of...
Collection: GIFFORD, NORMAN
(photographs)
Photographic prints collected by Norman Gifford during his time as a prisoner of war in Germany during the Second World War. Most of these were probably taken at Stalag VIIIB, Lamsdorf, where Gifford was a prisoner during 1942. A number of group...