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.

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Collections search

fretwork figure, occupational therapy, British
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Made during the First World War by wounded servicemen on Malta.
fretwork figure, occupational therapy, British
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Caption: Queen Alexandra on Alexandra Rose Day receiving Roses from a little girl seller. The first "Alexandra Day" or "Rose Day" was first celebrated in 1912 the 50th year of Queen Alexandra's residence in England. Artificial roses, made by the blind...
Line Communication Equipment, Portable Telephone Set D Mk 111, British
(equipment) 1914
Early First World War period British Army portable telephone set. This type of equipment was first introduced in October 1914 and became the standard telephone for the use by Infantry and Royal Artillery Forward Observation Officers. The telephone was...
3 in Stokes Mortar Bomb
(weapons and ammunition)
First World War period British trench mortar projectile. This Stokes Mortar bomb was made by female labour and was originally acquired as part of Womens' Work Collection. Original IWM display caption reads as follows: 'ASSEMBLED AND FINISHED BOMB /...
Thompson Model 1928A1
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Savage Arms Corporation, Utica, NY, USA 1941
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...
badge, headdress, Kitchener's Army
(uniforms and insignia)
These were worn prior to the issue of the regimental cap badges.
fretwork figure, occupational therapy, British
(souvenirs and ephemera)
The figure was made by disabled servicemen in the Lord Roberts Memorial Workshops. The Workshops were set up in 1915 as a lasting memorial to Field Marshal Lord Roberts on his death (November 1914). The London workshops were opened in Britannia Road,...
doll from Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp
(souvenirs and ephemera) 1945
Given to donor's step-grandfather, Gwyn Jones (British soldier) by former prisoners after the liberation of Bergen-Belsen. Details of similar items made by liberated Belsen prisoners, and on occupational therapy at the camp in general, can be found in...
Visual Signalling Equipment, Lamp Signalling "B" 1914: British
(equipment) Made by: Reform Lighting Company & RLC 1914
Army Signalling Lamp, oil, complete in travelling box
badge, USSR
(souvenirs and ephemera)
White circular badge with three child figures holding hands, and the words WORLD DISARMAMENT CAMPAIGN and Russian script are around the edge.