a Supermarine Spitfire Mark II during the battle of britain, 1940

Spitfire in England, 1940

The Local Defence Volunteers in this photograph are veterans of the First World War. The LDV was open to men aged between 17 and 65 who had fired a rifle and were 'capable of free movement'. None of these qualifications were seriously tested. At first, uniforms and weapons were in short supply. There were only enough rifles for about a third of volunteers. The rest had to use shotguns, sporting rifles or 'weapons' such as golf clubs.

LDV - The Home Guard

British Airborne troops getting their equipment ready near a Horsa glider in preparation for the Rhine crossing, 22 March 1945.