The Battle of Britain

The battle begins, summer 1940
The battle begins, summer 1940

After defeating France in June 1940, Hitler assumed Britain would sue for peace but ordered his armed forces to prepare for invasion. Hermann Goering assured him that a sustained air assault would destroy the RAF, winning the air superiority needed.
A Heinkel He 111 bomber flying over London, September 1940
A Heinkel He 111 bomber flying over London, September 1940

July 1940 saw German planes target shipping in the Channel, drawing the RAF into combat, before radar stations, communications centres and airfields faced round-the-clock bombing in August. The battle reached a climax with attacks on London in September.
The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF)
The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF)

Joan 'Elizabeth' Mortimer, Elspeth Henderson and Helen Turner of the WAAF. All three received the Military Medal for courageous conduct during attacks on Biggin Hill airfield. Biggin Hill suffered a total of ten major attacks between 30 Aug and 5 Sept.
Non-British personnel in the RAF
Non-British personnel in the RAF

A group of pilots of No. 303 (Polish) Squadron RAF return from a sortie. The first Polish squadrons were formed in the summer of 1940. Pilots came from several other countries, including Australia, Canada, Czechoslovakia, New Zealand and the USA.
Sector 'G' Operations Room at RAF Duxford
Sector 'G' Operations Room at RAF Duxford

RAF Duxford was a Sector Station in 12 Group, responsible for defending the Midlands and East Anglia. As the fighting intensified, Duxford's squadrons were called on to support 11 Group's defence of London and the south-east.
Hawker Hurricane Mk Is of No. 85 Squadron RAF
Hawker Hurricane Mk Is of No. 85 Squadron RAF

Despite incessant attacks, the RAF's defences held. The Luftwaffe could not continue, and in the autumn switched to 'nuisance' raids and night operations. The failure to defeat the RAF convinced Hitler to postpone his invasion plans indefinitely.

Main menu

IWM London
London
Open daily 10am - 6pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December

Admission is free
- What's On
- Visiting Information
IWM North
Manchester
Open daily 10am - 5pm
Last admission 4.30pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December

Admission is free
- What's On
- Visiting Information
IWM Duxford
Cambridgeshire
Open daily

Summer 10am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm

Winter 10am - 4pm
Last admission 3pm

Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
- What's On
- Visiting Information
Churchill War Rooms
London
Open daily 9.30am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
- What's On
- Visiting Information
HMS Belfast
London
Open daily 10am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
- What's On
- Visiting Information

Collections search

Study for 'Gassed' Studies of standing soldiers with rifles
(art) Made by: Sargent, John Singer (RA) 1918
image: a study of different elements of a gassed British infantryman standing side-on with his hands on the shoulders of another man in front of him. It includes a full length depiction of the man, with a blanket role over his right shoulder and his...
1939-1945 Star
(decorations and awards) 1945
Association - recipient: see Notes to OMD 2718
The Guard in a Block House (two soldiers)
(art) Made by: Ardizzone, Edward Jeffrey Irving 1940
image: One soldier stands to attention, the other lies on a palette against the embrasure, through which can be seen the countryside. In front of the embrasure there is a theodolite on a tripod. There are rifles stacked against the wall.
Liberation
(art) Made by: Carr, Henry 1944
image: A view of the remains of an Italian village with soldiers and civilians moving around the ruins of the bombed houses and church.
Night Vision Goggles: American
(equipment)
Passive night vision goggles of the type used by British helicopter pilots flying covert operations to land SAS reconnaissance parties on the Falklands Islands before the main landings
Rifle 7.62mm L42A1
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: RSAF Enfield 1980
One of final batch of conversions carried out at Enfield. Produced at Enfield 1980
Collapsible placing rod (for limpet mine)
(weapons and ammunition)
placing rod still sealed closed
Distinguished Service Order & DSO
(decorations and awards) 1945
badge and ribbon (See) MODEL OMD 1383 & (See) SECONDARY MODEL OMD 1562
Victory Medal (1914-1919)
(decorations and awards)
British First World War campaign medal awarded to Captain A G Broom, British Army.
Thompson Model 1928A1
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: (manufacturer) Savage Arms Corporation, Utica, NY, USA
The Thompson submachine-gun was developed as a result of efforts by retired US General, John T Thompson to produce a lightweight automatic rifle. Thompson wished to exploit a locking mechanism for firearms patented by John B Blish. This invention...