# @gettyimages on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CCdtSuWH4TB
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/16446036-gettyimages-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/04c9f950ac.jpg
- **Posted:** 2020-07-10T14:02:09.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Getty Images (@GettyImages) — https://gondola.cc/GettyImages

## Caption

While the Battle of Britain was conducted by air, the streets below bore the scars of the military campaign, which first commenced eighty years ago today.⁠
Following the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk and the encroaching occupation of France, Nazi forces sought to win air superiority before invading the UK by sea.⁠
At first attacking strategic targets on the coastline, the German Luftwaffe had changed tactic by September, shifting to nighttime raids on heavily-populated industrial cities.⁠
Photographed on 15 October 1940, this image shows the aftermath of a bomb dropped on Balham High Street in south London. Exploding above the local tube station, floodwater and debris filled the platforms below. Used as shelters during the Blitz, it's estimated that 66 people were killed.⁠
A test of strength between the Hurricanes and Spitfires of the Royal Air Force and the Luftwaffe, the Battle concluded with a defensive victory for Britain on 31 October 1940. The Blitz would continue until May the following year.⁠
Follow gettyarchive for vintage footage of the Battle of Britain or explore more via our bio link.⁠
📷: William Vandivert/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images l life l #GettyImages25 #PreservingThePast #GettyArchive⁠
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#battleofbritain #williamvandivert #lifemagazine #thebattleofbritain #blitzspirit #theblitz #WWII #WWIIhistory #balham #balhambomb #londonhistory #britishhistory #photoarchive #archivephoto #historyphotographed #onthisdayinhistory #otd #1940 #WWIIincolour #gettyimages⁠

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## Tags

gettyimages25, balham, preservingthepast, battleofbritain, theblitz, photoarchive, gettyimages, archivephoto, thebattleofbritain, wwiiincolour, wwiihistory, 1940, lifemagazine, londonhistory, wwii, williamvandivert, historyphotographed, onthisdayinhistory, blitzspirit, balhambomb, britishhistory, gettyarchive, otd

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