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

Princess Mary's Gift Fund 1914 Box, Class A smokers
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Princess Mary's Gift Fund (1914) Box. The Gift Fund was inaugurated by Princess Mary in October 1914 to provide a gift for every serviceman at the front or at sea ('Class A') for the first Christmas of the War. The majority of gifts were for smokers and...
clasp knife, British Army issue (Turner 'Encore' clasp knife)
(weapons and ammunition) Made by: Thomas Turner and Co, Sheffield
First World War period British Army issue clasp knife. Manufactured by Thomas Turner & Co of Sheffield, this knife departs from the standard pattern knife of the period in that its grip scales are made of plain metal, rather than chequered horn....
Princess Mary's Gift Fund 1914 Box, Class A, smokers
(souvenirs and ephemera)
The Gift Fund was inaugurated by Princess Mary in October 1914 to provide a gift to every serviceman at the front or at sea ('Class A') for the first Christmas of the War. The majority of gifts were for smokers and contained tobacco, cigarettes, a pipe...
1903 Pattern Bandolier Equipment (set)
(equipment)
The 1903 Pattern bandolier equipment evolved as a result of criticism made of the infantry's buff leather Slade-Wallace equipment used during the Anglo-Boer War, 1899-1902. Among other irritants, the Slade-Wallace ammunition pouches were designed to...
Anklets, 1937 Pattern
(uniforms and insignia)
The 1937 pattern anklets, sometimes referred to as gaiters, were an improved alternative to puttees. Made of canvas webbing, they were uncomplicated and simple to put on as well as to remove.
Anklets, 1937 Pattern
(uniforms and insignia)
The 1937 pattern anklets, sometimes referred to as gaiters, were an improved alternative to puttees. Made of canvas webbing, they were uncomplicated and simple to put on as well as to remove.
Jacket, 1907 pattern: O/Rs
(uniforms and insignia) Made by: C I Samuels, London
A modification of the earlier 1902 pattern service dress jacket, the 1907 pattern dispensed with the detachable coloured shoulder straps and (except Guards regiments) the coloured cloth embroidered shoulder titles. Brass belt hooks were fitted to the...
Anklets, 1937 Pattern
(uniforms and insignia)
The 1937 pattern anklets, sometimes referred to as gaiters, were an improved alternative to puttees. Made of canvas webbing, they were uncomplicated and simple to put on as well as to remove.
Anklets, 1937 Pattern
(uniforms and insignia)
The 1937 pattern anklets, sometimes referred to as gaiters, were an improved alternative to puttees. Made of canvas webbing, they were uncomplicated and simple to put on as well as to remove.
crucifix
(souvenirs and ephemera)
Crucifix associated with the First World War British Army service of F Gould (on the Western Front, including the Somme).