The evacuation from Dunkirk on the French coast was hailed in Britain as an extraordinary achievement and the ‘little ships of Dunkirk’ swiftly entered the mythology of wartime brave deeds.
British soldiers wade out to a waiting destroyer off Dunkirk during the evacuation.
Troops evacuated from Dunkirk on a destroyer about to berth at Dover, 31 May 1940.
Troops evacuated from Dunkirk enjoying tea and other refreshments at Addison Road station in London, 31 May 1940.
Some of the 'little ships' used during the evacuation of Dunkirk being towed back along the River Thames past Tower Bridge, 9 June 1940.
German forces moved into Dunkirk hours after the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force. Here German officers inspect a memorial on the sea front at Dunkirk.
IWM London is now closed for our major redevelopment project. We will partially reopen on 29 July 2013.
Open daily
Summer 10am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm
Winter 10am - 4pm
Last admission 3pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
Open daily 10am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm
We are closed 24, 25, and 26 December
Open daily 9.30am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
Open daily 10am - 5pm
Last admission 4.30pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
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A large crowd of people queue for tickets to see The Sadler's Wells Ballet Company at the New Theatre in London's West End. George Metcalfe and his girlfriend Mabel Warren can be seen to the left of the photograph. They had booked tickets in advance and so are able to go straight in.
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