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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Snap into it - Men 18-19 1/2 - Home Defence
(posters) Made by: Scott, Frederick George Alfred (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set against a blue background. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in red cursive script. The subtitle is separate and placed in the lower quarter, in white, set against a green...
'Let 'em All Come' - Home Defence Battalions
(posters) Made by: Scott, Frederick George Alfred (artist) 1939
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set against a green background. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in white outlined red cursive script. The subtitle and text are separate and placed in the lower quarter, in...
Let 'em All Come - Home Defence Battalions
(posters) Made by: Scott, Frederick George Alfred (artist) 1940
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set against a green background. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in white outlined red cursive script. The subtitle and text are separate and placed in the lower quarter, in...
Williams, Dorothy Margaret (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1986-10-08
British civilian served with Home Guard in GB, 1940-1941; NCO served as wireless operator with Women's Auxiliary Air Force in GB, 1941-1945
White, George Edward (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1999-07-11
British private served with 1st Bn Cambridgeshire Regt on Western Front, 1915-1918
Improvised 3in Mortar
(weapons and ammunition)
Improvised Home Guard 3in Mortar
MG 15
(weapons and ammunition) 1939
The MG15 was the standard flexible-mount machine gun of the German air force at the outbreak of the Second World War. As such, it formed the main defensive armament of German bombers from 1939 until 1941. Developed secretly during the 1930s, the MG15...
Springfield Model 1878 rifle
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Springfield
This rifle was one of a number of weapons provided for Home Guard use in 1940 by an American organization called the American Committee for the Defence of British Homes. They mounted a public appeal for firearms and binoculars which could be sent to aid...
Winchester M1894 sporting takedown rifle .30/30 Winchester
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Winchester
This rifle was one of a number of weapons provided for Home Guard use in 1940 by an American organization called the American Committee for the Defence of British Homes. They mounted a public appeal for firearms and binoculars which could be sent to aid...
Remington Model 10 riot shotgun
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Remington Arms Co., Ilion, New York.
This shotgun was one of a number of weapons provided for Home Guard use in 1940 by an American organization called the American Committee for the Defence of British Homes. They mounted a public appeal for firearms and binoculars which could be sent to...