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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Buy War Loan
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the title and text are in red and green, arranged in banner form within a red and green border. image: text only. text: BUY WAR LOAN [follows details of amounts and interest rates] AND YOU WILL HELP YOUR COUNTRY AND OUR BRAVE TROOPS IN THE...
Sixpence War Savings Stamps
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918-08
whole: '6d' held in a white circular inset and positioned top right. The title is central, in orange against a black background. Further text is placed bottom centre. image: text only. text: 6d WAR SAVINGS STAMPS Sold Here 31 Stamps buy a 15s 6d War...
War Savings Stamps
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918-08
whole: the title is positioned at the centre in orange against a black background. Further text is placed upper left and across the bottom, with the image situated upper right. image: a sixpence National War Savings stamp. text: Take part of your change...
War Savings Stamps
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918-08
whole: the title is positioned centre right, held within a black circle with a stippled blue border. The text is placed upper and lower left with the image lower right overlapping the title. All set against an orange background and held within a white...
Exchequer Bonds
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1916-01
whole: the title is placed across the top, with the subtitle across the bottom, both in red. Further text is in blue. All held within a red and blue frame and set against a white background. image: text only. text: EXCHEQUER BONDS IN 5 YEARS YOU WILL...
Five Percent Exchequer Bonds
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1917
whole: the title covers the upper half, in red, with further text in dark blue. All arranged in banner form, within a red and dark blue frame. image: text only. text: 5% EXCHEQUER BONDS SOLD HERE POST OFFICE ISSUE £5, £20 OR £50 BANK OF ENGLAND ISSUE £...
One Pound for 15 Shillings and Sixpence
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1916-06
whole: the title is placed across the top, with the subtitle across the bottom, both in blue. Further text is in blue and red. All held within a red border and set against a white background. image: text only. text: £1 for 15s 6d up to £500 for £387 10s...
One Pound for 15 Shillings and Sixpence - To the Men and Women of England
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1916-06
whole: the title is placed across the top in red, with the subtitle below, in blue. All further text is in blue. All held within a red and blue border and set against a white background. image: text only. text: £1 FOR 15s 6d TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF...
Best Investments in the World
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918-01
whole: the title is placed across the top, with the subtitle across the bottom. The main text is positioned centrally, surrounded by a red border. image: text only. text: Best Investment in the World National War Bonds for [follows terms and conditions]...
War Savings for Soldiers
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1916-11
whole: the title is placed across the top in red, with the text below, in blue and red. All held within a red and blue frame and set against a white background. image: text only. text: WAR SAVINGS FOR SOLDIERS I UNDRAWN PAY. If you have undrawn pay you...