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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clippers, hair, German
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Cito, Solingen
Hair clippers associated with an unknown Second World War prisoner of war (POW) camp barber at Stalag VIIIB, Lamsdorf, Germany.
saw, clandestine
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Lieutenant Wingfield MC DFC (1898-1989) served as a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) during the First World War. He was captured on 1 July 1916 and was a prisoner of war until October 1917 when he successfully escaped from Strohen Camp. As a result...
identity tag
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Second World War German prisoner of war (POW) camp identity tag associated with the POW experiences of Commander Peter Noel Buckley RN. Commander Buckley was captured following the sinking of his submarine, HMS 'Shark' by German aircraft off Stavanger (...
depth marker
(souvenirs and ephemera) 1943
The depth marker is associated with the Second World War experiences of J Watson as prisoner of war (POW) of the Germans; he was held in Stalag XB from April 1941 to Spring 1942, then in Milag Nord where he was Canteen Officer. The marker was used as two...
ITALIAN PRISONERS OF WAR IN BRITAIN DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division official photographer
Italian prisoners of war attend a church service in a prisoner of war camp in Britain.
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
Warrant Officer Viles, one of the repatriated prisoners of war at No 1 Resettlement Centre worked part-time for a carpet fitting company in Scarborough to prepare him to take up his pre-war occupation in Leeds.
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
Three of the repatriated prisoners of war at No 1 Resettlement Centre visit Scarborough Castle. Afternoons were free and those men not wanting to take part in sports were able to visit the town, harbour and local places of interest.
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 Belvedere Club, run by the Women's Voluntary Service (WVS), for all ranks 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
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.