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

THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-47
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1942-04-20
Clement Attlee visiting troops of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade at Cupar. Note their headwear - paratrooper's training helmets also known as 'bungee helmets'. As Deputy Prime Minister Attlee was responsible for domestic co-ordination,...
THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Valentine tanks being offloaded from a landing craft during combined operations training at Inveraray in Scotland, 9 October 1941.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-1945
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer
Ski training for men of No 3 (Army) Commando at Killin in Perthshire, Scotland, 22 March 1942.
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1941-09-23
A demonstration of the 4th Cadre Rifle Brigade (future 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade) training followed by an exercise in which fully trained paratroops were used, was witnessed by General Władysław Sikorski, the C-in-C of the Polish Armed...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1942-12-18
An exercise designed to give troops training in mountain warfare took place in Scottish Highlands and was witnessed by General Bernard Paget, the C-in-C of Home Forces, General Andrew Thorne and General Neil Methuen Ritchie. Troops of the 1st Polish...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1942-12-18
An exercise designed to give troops training in mountain warfare took place in Scottish Highlands and was witnessed by General Bernard Paget, the C-in-C of Home Forces, General Andrew Thorne and General Neil Methuen Ritchie. Troops of the 1st Polish...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1942-12-18
An exercise designed to give troops training in mountain warfare took place in Scottish Highlands and was witnessed by General Bernard Paget, the C-in-C of Home Forces, General Andrew Thorne and General Neil Methuen Ritchie. Troops of the 1st Polish...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1942-12-18
An exercise designed to give troops training in mountain warfare took place in Scottish Highlands and was witnessed by General Bernard Paget, the C-in-C of Home Forces, General Andrew Thorne and General Neil Methuen Ritchie. Troops of the 1st Polish...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1941-09-23
A demonstration of the 4th Cadre Rifle Brigade (future 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade) training followed by an exercise in which fully trained paratroops were used, was witnessed by General Władysław Sikorski, the C-in-C of the Polish Armed...
THE POLISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1940-1947
part of "WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: War Office official photographer 1941-11-03
A special series of photographs dealing with the domestic and social life of troops of the 1st Polish Rifle Brigade (1st Polish Corps) in Scotland where the officers and men are firmly established favourites with the local people. Some of the young...