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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WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Supply official photographer
Munitions production: The main assembly shop of a Midlands Ministry of Supply factory which was mass producing Covenanter tanks.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Munitions production: The top plate of the hull of a Mark IV Humber armoured car being ground by a worker in a Ministry of Supply factory. The opening in which the turret is fitted must be exact to within a thousandth of an inch.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
The Wartime Workforce: Four trainees at a Government munitions training factory using protractors during a plan drawing lesson. Ministry of Labour Training Centres had been in operation since the 1920s, but during the war it became necessary to expand...
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
The Wartime Workforce: 'Ginger' the youngest worker at a Ministry of Supply factory, working on predictor equipment for an anti-aircraft detachment.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Munitions production: Fuses being assembled in a die casting factory. This work was carried out almost exclusively by women.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
The Wartime Workforce: A woman war worker with refugee status assembles voltmeters and ammeters in a converted showroom in the Paddington area of London.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Supply official photographer
The Wartime Workforce: Skilled workers who formed a Ministry of Supply mobile industrial 'flying squad' leaving London armed with their own tools, to assist a factory in the north east.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Welfare and Personnel Management: Welfare officers, who offered legal, personal and financial advice to factory employees.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Welfare and Personnel Management: A doctor examins the hands of munitions workers.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
The Building Industry: The war-time building programme: women working as bricklayers' labourers.