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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Collections Search for "Counter-insurgency operations in Basra, 2006"

OPERATION TELIC: BRITISH FORCES IN IRAQ 2006
part of "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE MEDIA OPERATIONS OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Griffiths D (LA Phot)
Counter insurgency operations in Basra, 2006. British soldiers, supported by other members of the Multi National Force, carry out a night search and arrest operation in a house in Basra City. The search revealed a cache of arms, ammunition and...
OPERATION TELIC: BRITISH FORCES IN IRAQ 2006
part of "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE MEDIA OPERATIONS OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: British Army official photographer
Counter insurgency operations in Basra, 2006. The Tactical Support Unit of the Iraqi Police, supported by Iraqi, Danish and British military forces, carry out a search and arrest operation in a house near Basra City. The TSU searched for arms,...
OPERATION TELIC: BRITISH FORCES IN IRAQ 2006
part of "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE MEDIA OPERATIONS OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: British Army official photographer
Counter insurgency operations in Basra, 2006. The Tactical Support Unit of the Iraqi Police, supported by Iraqi, Danish and British military forces, carry out a search and arrest operation in a house near Basra City. The TSU searched for arms,...
OPERATION TELIC: BRITISH FORCES IN IRAQ 2006
part of "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE MEDIA OPERATIONS OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: British Army official photographer
Counter insurgency operations in Basra, 2006. The Tactical Support Unit of the Iraqi Police, supported by Iraqi, Danish and British military forces, carry out a search and arrest operation in a house near Basra City. The TSU searched for arms,...
OPERATION TELIC: BRITISH FORCES IN IRAQ 2006
part of "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE MEDIA OPERATIONS OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: British Army official photographer
Counter insurgency operations in Basra, 2006. The Tactical Support Unit of the Iraqi Police, supported by Iraqi, Danish and British military forces, carry out a search and arrest operation in a house near Basra City. The TSU searched for arms,...
OPERATION TELIC: BRITISH FORCES IN IRAQ 2006
part of "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE MEDIA OPERATIONS OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: British Army official photographer
Counter insurgency operations in Basra, 2006. The Tactical Support Unit of the Iraqi Police, supported by Iraqi, Danish and British military forces, carry out a search and arrest operation in a house near Basra City. The TSU searched for arms,...
OPERATION TELIC: BRITISH FORCES IN IRAQ 2006
part of "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE MEDIA OPERATIONS OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Griffiths D (LA Phot)
Counter insurgency operations in Basra, 2006. British soldiers, supported by other members of the Multi National Force, carry out a night search and arrest operation in a house in Basra City. The search revealed a cache of arms, ammunition and...
OPERATION TELIC: BRITISH FORCES IN IRAQ 2006
part of "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE MEDIA OPERATIONS OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Griffiths D (LA Phot)
Counter insurgency operations in Basra, 2006. British soldiers, supported by other members of the Multi National Force, carry out a night search and arrest operation in a house in Basra City. The search revealed a cache of arms, ammunition and...
OPERATION TELIC: BRITISH FORCES IN IRAQ 2006
part of "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE MEDIA OPERATIONS OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Griffiths D (LA Phot)
Counter insurgency operations in Basra, 2006. British soldiers, supported by other members of the Multi National Force, carry out a night search and arrest operation in a house in Basra City. The search revealed a cache of arms, ammunition and...
OPERATION TELIC: BRITISH FORCES IN IRAQ 2006
part of "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE MEDIA OPERATIONS OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Griffiths D (LA Phot)
Counter insurgency operations in Basra, 2006. British soldiers, supported by other members of the Multi National Force, carry out a night search and arrest operation in a house in Basra City. The search revealed a cache of arms, ammunition and...