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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THE HOME GUARD 1939-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
The Home Guard: Home Guards erecting a road barrier during an exercise held in the north of Scotland.
THE HOME GUARD 1939-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
The Home Guard: During an exercise involving the local Home Guard, ARP personnel and the Police in Northen Command, 'enemy' forces succeeded in taking a town after a bitter struggle but were later overpowered. Photograph shows the Home Guard firing at...
THE HOME GUARD IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Men of the Home Guard man the medieval battlements of a town, during a training exercise with regular army units in the Boroughbridge area of Yorkshire.
THE HOME GUARD 1939-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
The Home Guard: After swimming a river in full kit during an exercise in Yorkshire, a helping hand is extended to a member of Number 2 Platoon 'B' Company of the 4th Battalion, East Riding Home Guard.
THE HOME GUARD 1939-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
The Home Guard: Men of 2nd Platoon 'C' Company, 46th Riding, Doncaster, Battalion Home Guard carrying out an exercise in the Northern Command. They are pictured crossing a river by means of a raft.
THE HOME GUARD 1939-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
The Home Guard: A Home Guard detachment manning an Anti-Aircraft Command Bofors gun.
THE HOME GUARD 1939-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
The Home Guard: Home Guards replaced regular gunners at Anti Aircraft batteries. Photograph shows Home Guard manning a Zeda projector at Bootle, Liverpool.
THE HOME GUARD 1939-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
The Home Guard: Men of the 5th Battalion (Doncaster) Home Guard rounding up an 'enemy' parachutist during training for assisting the Army in the event of an invasion.
THE HOME GUARD 1939-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
The Home Guard: The Home Guard were also used to defend inland waterways. Photograph shows the Trent River Patrol, Nottinghamshire Home Guard sending messages by the disc semaphore method.
THE HOME GUARD 1939-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
The Home Guard: A Home Guard mounted patrol parading for inspection at Cowbridge near Cardiff. Their task was to patrol the hills and valleys of the Welsh countryside.