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 "toy"

toy, stuffed dog
(souvenirs and ephemera)
This toy was given to Maureen Homer (nee Watts) by her father Sergeant Leonard Albert Watts during the Second World War. Sergeant Watts, who originally enlisted in 1918 at the age of 18 and served until 1937, was recalled for service in 1939. He was...
toy, British, 'The Mystic Dancing Illusion Model
(souvenirs and ephemera)
'The Mystic Dancing Illusion Model', a Second World War period British toy comprising an articulating cardboard caricature figure of Hitler on one side and, on reverse, the image of a skeleton. The toy comes complete with original packet and operating...
toy, British, 'The Mystic Dancing Illusion Model
part of "toy, British, 'The Mystic Dancing Illusion Model" (souvenirs and ephemera)
'The Mystic Dancing Illusion Model', a Second World War period British toy comprising an articulating cardboard caricature figure of Hitler on one side and, on reverse, the image of a skeleton. The toy (H 14in x W 7in) comes complete with original (...
Tank Transporter
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Meccano Ltd (Dinky Toys), Liverpool
Antar/transporter, box
pull-along toy, dog
(souvenirs and ephemera)
This pull-along toy Daschund was given to the donor's family after the Second World War (1946-1947) by German prisoners of war, near Swanley, Kent
toy, handmade
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Made by a German POW
Centurion Tank & box
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: Meccano Ltd (Dinky Toys), Liverpool
Circa late 1950s Dinky model of a British Centurion tank; the model was first produced for sale in 1954; it continued in production for many years after, its popularity to some degree reflecting the affection felt by many young admirers for the...
boxed set of three Russian diecast-model armoured vehicles
(souvenirs and ephemera) Made by: (unknown Russian manufacturer) 1970
Circa 1970s period boxed set of diecast toys loosely representing then current Soviet armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) -SA-4 Ganef, T-62 tank, 2S3 self propelled gun; all are based on the same 'T-62' chassis.
packet, 'The Mystic Dancing Illusion Model
part of "toy, British, 'The Mystic Dancing Illusion Model" (souvenirs and ephemera)
'The Mystic Dancing Illusion Model', a Second World War period British toy comprising an articulating cardboard caricature figure of Hitler on one side and, on reverse, the image of a skeleton. The toy comes complete with original packet and operating...
doll
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Doll in traditional Latvian dress made in the Latvian Camp at Brunnighausen and given to a British United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) relief worker (one Mr Edwards) in 1946. The doll was brought back to the UK by Mr Edwards...