From Operation Sea Lion to the London Blitz: The Turning Point of WWII
About This Footage
Battle of Britain (1943), part of Frank Capra’s acclaimed Why We Fight series, chronicles one of the most decisive campaigns of World War II. The film traces Hitler’s conquest of Western Europe and his plans for Operation Sea Lion, the invasion of England, before turning to the Luftwaffe’s relentless aerial assault. Scenes depict German troops marching through Paris, Hitler viewing the Eiffel Tower, and German preparations for the invasion, juxtaposed with Britain’s resilience after Dunkirk. Powerful footage shows RAF Spitfire pilots scrambling to meet incoming waves of German bombers, dogfights captured by gun cameras, and the devastation of London during the Blitz. Civilians take shelter during bombing raids, women launch barrage balloons and man anti-aircraft guns, and factory workers labor to the point of exhaustion to supply Britain’s defenses. Coventry lies in ruins after a massive night raid, while London burns under incendiary bombs on December 29, 1940. Winston Churchill’s defiant message—“we shall never surrender”—frames the narrative, underscoring Britain’s determination to resist Nazi domination. With rare combat footage, civilian life under siege, and tributes to the RAF, Battle of Britain stands as both wartime propaganda and a vital historical record of Britain’s endurance in 1940.
Explore & Preview Individual Film Reels
- The Battle of Britain Reel 1: Hitler’s Invasion Plans & Dunkirk Aftermath
- The Battle of Britain Reel 2: Churchill’s Defiance & RAF Spitfire Combat
- The Battle of Britain Reel 3: London Bombing Raids & RAF Resistance
- The Battle of Britain Reel 4: The London Blitz & Air Battles
- The Battle of Britain Reel 5: Night Raids on London & Coventry Destruction
- The Battle of Britain Reel 6: London Firebomb Raids & Churchill’s Defiance