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 "Trench Football game"

Trench Football
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: British Design/British Made
The object of the game is to roll a ball (bearing) from the start to the finish, in this case, the Kick Off to the Kaiser's mouth, via a circuitous route with traps in strategic places. The Rules for playing are pasted on the underside.
Trench Football
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: British Design/British Made
The object of this First World War hand-held game is to roll a ball (bearing) from the start to the finish, via a circuitous route with traps in strategic places.
Jones, John William 'Bosco' (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1986-09-02
British civilian in east London 1930s. Served as infantryman, runner and mule driver with British Bn, 15th International Bde in Spain, 11/1936-10/1938
Parker, Albert (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1995
British signaller served with A Troop, 425 Bty, 107th Regt, Royal Artillery in GB, Palestine and North Africa, 1938-1942; POW in Italy and Germany, 1942-1945
Taylor, Raynor (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1990-02
British private served with Glamorgan Yeomanry in GB, 1916-1917; served with Welch Regiment on Western Front, 1917-1918; served with provisional companies in GB,1918-1919; served as officer's servant with North Russian Expeditionary Force, 1919. Met...
Price, Walter Frederick (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2000-09-06
British sapper served with 244 Field Coy Royal Engineers in GB and Northern Ireland, 1939-1941; served with Chief Engineer of the Northern Ireland District in Northern Ireland, 1941-1942; NCO served with the Chief Engineer of the 1st Army in GB and North...
Weddle, Joseph (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1991-09-10
British private served with 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 1939-1940; served with 12th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, France and Belgium, 1940; POW in Germany, 1940-1945
Douglas, John Robert Hunter "Jack (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2003-07-30
British private and NCO served with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, France and Belgium, 1933-1941; NCO served with 16th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB and North Africa, 1941-1943; POW in Italy, 1943; POW in Stalag XVII A and Stalag 383, Germany, 1943...
Forster, John Joseph (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1989
British private and NCO served with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, France, Belgium, Cyprus, Iraq and North Africa, 1939- 1942; NCO served with Infantry Base Depot in Egypt, 1942; served with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North Africa, GB and North...
James, Wyndham "Jimmy" (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 2000-10-02
British private served with Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regt Depot in GB, 1940; NCO served with 16th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, North Africa and Italy, 1940-1943; NCO served with 6th Bn Infantry Reinforcement Training Centre in North Africa and...