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 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.
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 Chemical Industry: At a Ministry of Supply factory, women produced explosives, dyes, fertilisers, plastics, drugs and the hundreds of other chemicals needed for war. Miss Arnold preparing a chemical solution in the factory's laboratory.
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: Production at some factories was hit by war-time bombing. On 3 March 1945 a rocket bomb made a direct hit on the Dunlop Rubber Company at Edmonton in north London. This started a fire which burnt down buildings where clothing for...
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: Ministry of Supply riveter, John Lewis, engaged in the production of a 5.5 inch howitzer. He is shown piecing together the cradle of the gun.
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: A woman working at a Capstan lathe turning a part needed for a 17 pounder anti-tank gun.
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: A woman working on the breech ring of the barrel of a heavy gun.
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: Work being carried out on a 6 pounder twin coastal artillery gun. Workers in a Ministry of Supply ordnance factory aligning the sights of the gun in elevation.
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: A woman worker tying bags of explosives.
WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Mining: A 'Bevin Boy', Jim Walters, using a pneumatic drill in a colliery in Kent. As the war progressed, coal output dropped because there was no new recruitment of workers for the mines. In 1943 the 'Bevin Boy' scheme was introduced, with one out of...