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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A Leader of Leaders
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set within a gilt frame design. The text occupies the lower third, held within a scroll design. image: a three-quarter length portrait of David Lloyd-George, facing the viewer and delivering a speech...
A Head to Contrive
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set within a gilt frame design. The text is positioned in the lower third, held within a scroll design. image: a three-quarter portrait of a British politician in formal dress. He stands facing the...
He Rightly Lives
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set within a gilt frame design. The text is positioned in the lower third, held within a scroll design. image: a full-length portrait of Admiral Lord Nelson standing against a dark landscape. text: A.S....
A Leader Sage
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set within a gilt frame design. The text occupies the lower third, held within a scroll design. image: a full-length portrait of President Woodrow Wilson, who strides towards the viewer raising his top...
Buy National War Bonds Today
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1917
whole: the title is in orange and white, and arranged in banner form against a dark blue background. The image is positioned at the bottom right corner. All held within an orange and blue frame. image: the Chancellor of the Exchequer's seal. text: BUY...
Buy National War Bonds Today
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1917
whole: the title is in dark blue and arranged in banner form, covering the whole poster surface. image: text only. text: BUY NATIONAL WAR BONDS TO-DAY ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WAR SAVINGS COMMITTEE, SALISBURY SQUARE, E.C.4. POSTER NO. 37. Wt 35353/2196. 25...
National Savings Campaign
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: the title and text are in black and red against a white background, arranged in banner form and held within a red border. image: text only. text: NATIONAL SAVINGS CAMPAIGN HOW YOU CAN HELP BY STEADY WORK AND GOOD WORKMANSHIP IN PRODUCING NECESSARY...
Do you Think
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: the text is in red and black, arranged in banner form and held within green border. image: text only. text: GVR DO YOU THINK MY 5s WON'T HELP THE WAR LOAN DO YOU REALIZE THOUSANDS MAY BE THINKING THE SAME DO YOU KNOW IF EACH OF US SAVED 5s A WEEK...
Four-and-a-Half Percent War Loan
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: the title and text are in red and blue against a white background, and arranged in banner form within a red and blue frame. image: the Royal Charter, positioned top centre. text: G R 4½% WAR LOAN SUBSCRIPTIONS HERE 5s UPWARDS PUBLISHED BY THE...
War Weapons Week
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918
whole: the title is placed across the top, within an orange frame design. The text is below in orange and black, arranged in banner form and held within a separate orange frame. image: text only. text: War Weapons Week Help to swell the total for the...