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

There's a Future in it, Chum
(posters) Made by: British Army (publisher/sponsor)
whole: the image is positioned in the centre right. The title is separate and placed in the upper quarter, in red. The text is partially integrated and located down the left half, in white, and separate and positioned in the lower quarter, in black and...
Judge Jury and Executioner - Don't Fraternise
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1972
whole: The image is placed in the centre of the design with text in green above and below. All is set against a plain white background. image: A soldier holding a rifle sitting on the ground against a brick wall. text: JUDGE JURY AND EXECUTIONER DON'T...
recording
(sound) Made by: Unknown (Production company) 1944
Compilation of extracts from British military telephone traffic in North West Europe, 17-19/Dec/1944
recording
(sound) Made by: Unknown (Production company) 1945
Compilation of extracts from British military telephone traffic in North West Europe, c.1944-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Unknown (Production company) 1945
Compilation of extracts from British military telephone traffic in North West Europe, 30/Dec/1944-7/Feb/1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Unknown (Production company) 1945
Compilation of extracts from British military telephone traffic in North West Europe, c.1944-1945
Snap into it - Train for a Trade
(posters) Made by: British Army (publisher/sponsor)
whole: the image occupies the upper three-quarters, set against a blue background. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper quarter, in red cursive script. The subtitle is separate and placed in the lower quarter, in white, set against a...
Re-Enlist Now
(posters) Made by: British Army (publisher/sponsor) 1919-05
whole: the images cover the upper third and left-hand third, with the title and text placed in the lower right, in blue and in red. All set against a grey background and held within a yellow border. image: a full-length depiction of a British Infantryman...
300,000 More Men
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1915
whole: the image is positioned in the top edge centre. The title is separate and positioned in the upper third, in blue. The text is separate and occupies the remainder, in blue. All set against a white background. image: Royal Charter emblem. text: G. R...
Why Britain is at War
(sound) Made by: AINLEY, HENRY (interviewee/speaker) 1914
British civilian speaker reading out letter entitled 'Why Britain is at War' published in The Times, 31/Aug/1914