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 "Hurricanes of 73 Squadron, France 1940"

ROYAL AIR FORCE: FRANCE, 1939-1940.
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Air Force official photographer
A Hawker Hurricane Mark I flown by Flight Lieutenant J E "Ian" Scoular, commander of 'B' Flight, No. 73 Squadron RAF, being refuelled and re-armed between sorties at Reims-Champagne.
ROYAL AIR FORCE IN FRANCE, 1939-1940.
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Air Force official photographer
Six Hurricane Mark Is of No. 73 Squadron RAF, based at Rouvres, France, flying in loose echelon formation.
ROYAL AIR FORCE: FRANCE, 1939-1940.
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs)
Two Hawker Hurricane Mark Is of No. 73 Squadron RAF coming in to land at Rouvres. The nearest 'S', is being flown by Pilot Officer P V Ayerst.
ROYAL AIR FORCE: FRANCE, 1939-1940
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Air Force official photographer
Flying Officer E J Kain of No. 73 Squadron, standing in the cockpit of his Hawker Hurricane Mark I at Rouvres.
ROYAL AIR FORCE: FRANCE 1939-1940.
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Air Force official photographer
A replacement Rolls Royce Merlin engine being fitted into a Hawker Hurricane Mark I of No. 73 Squadron RAF at Rouvres.
ROYAL AIR FORCE: FRANCE, 1939-1940.
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Air Force official photographer
Three Hawker Hurricane Mark Is of No. 73 Squadron RAF, based at Rouvres, simulate an attack in line astern on the photographer's aircraft.
ROYAL AIR FORCE 1939-1945: THE RAF IN FRANCE, 1940
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Air Force official photographer
The RAF's first ace of the war was Flying Officer Edgar 'Cobber' Kain of No 73 Squadron, seen here with his Hurricane at the beginning of April 1940.
ROYAL AIR FORCE FIGHTER COMMAND, 1939-1945.
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Air Force official photographer
Squadron Leader J A F MacLachlan, the one-armed Commanding Officer of No 1 Squadron RAF, standing beside his all-black Hawker Hurricane Mark IIC night fighter, 'JX-Q', at Tangmere, Sussex. MacLachlan flew bombers in France in 1940, but transferred to...
ROYAL AIR FORCE: FRANCE, 1939-1940.
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Air Force official photographer
A Hawker Hurricane Mark I flown by Flight Lieutenant J "Ian" Scoular, commander of 'B' Flight, No. 73 Squadron RAF, being refuelled and re-armed between sorties at Reims-Champagne.
ROYAL AIR FORCE: FRANCE, 1939-1940.
part of "AIR MINISTRY SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Royal Air Force official photographer
Flying Officers N "Fanny" Orton and E J "Cobber" Kain of No. 73 Squadron RAF, standing by a Hawker Hurricane Mark I, between sorties, at Reims-Champagne. Orton left France with at least fifteen victories and Kain with seventeen.