History of the Battle of Britain

In this online exhibition we examine the economic factors and political forces that lead to the outbreak of World War 2 in 1939 and the Battle of Britain in 1940, before examining the phases of the Battle and its importance in preventing the invasion of the United Kingdom by German Forces in the autumn of that year. To assist with the narration of this complex topic we have arranged this online exhibition into the following convenient chapters.

The Oncoming Storm

• From world power to colonial policeman
• Churchill’s Warnings
• Expansion at last
• The Rise of the Nazi Party
• The Rise of the Luftwaffe
• Young Nazis

A Continent Falls

• Munich
• Poland – The catalyst
• Phoney Air War in France
• The Battle of France

A Nation Awaits

• The Home Front
• Air Raid Shelter Protection
• Evacuees
• Operation Sealion
• British Defences
• Bomber Command
• Other Commands

A New Hope

• The New Tactics
• RADAR – The Battle Winner?
• How RADAR Works

The Battle of Britain

• Introduction to the Phases of the Battle of Britain
•  The Battle of Britain Phase One
• The Battle of Britain Phase Two
• The Battle of Britain Phase Three
• The Battle of Britain Phase Four
• The Battle of Britain Phase Five

Per Ardua

• The Hardest Day
• The Blitz
• The Blitz – The Hardest Night
• Subordinate German Commanders
• Commander in Chief of the Luftwaffe
• Corpo Aero Italiano

Ad Astra

• The Few
• Battle of the Nations
• Women of Britain
• Subordinate RAF Commanders
• Commander-in-Chief of Fighter Command