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

'Malta' Hand Grenade
(weapons and ammunition)
The 'Malta' Grenade was made in 1915 as a result of requests for 10,000 grenades in July 1915 by Sir Ian Hamilton, Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF) to make up crucial deficiencies in weapons and stores for British...
A Party of Wounded, May 1915
(art) Made by: Hillier, Herbert 1915
image: a group of wounded soldiers sitting below deck on a ship.
THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN, 1915
part of "BINNEY A (MISS) COLLECTION" (photographs) 1915-03-18
A general view of men on board HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH as they travel through 'The Narrows' in the Dardanelles Straits on their way to Gallipoli. Several other ships can be seen in the background.
THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN, APRIL 1915 - JANUARY 1916
part of "BRIGHTEN C W (MAJ)" (photographs) 1915
One of the Turkish forts, possibly Sedd el Bahr, viewed from the sea, Gallipoli.
THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN, APRIL 1915 - JANUARY 1916
part of "BRIGHTEN C W (MAJ)" (photographs) 1915
Local civilians dancing, probably in a village on one of the Greek islands.
THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN, APRIL 1915 - JANUARY 1916
part of "BRIGHTEN C W (MAJ)" (photographs) 1915
Military band, either Indian Army or Greek, playing in the park. Photograph probably taken on one of the Greek islands.
THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN, APRIL 1915 - JANUARY 1916
part of "BRIGHTEN C W (MAJ)" (photographs) 1915
Indian Army mule transport at Gallipoli. Or possibly Lemnos Island.
THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN, APRIL 1915 - JANUARY 1916
part of "BRIGHTEN C W (MAJ)" (photographs) 1915
One of the workers (Cypriot?) and two British Army officers working with supplies at the dock, Gallipoli.
THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN, APRIL 1915 - JANUARY 1916
part of "BRIGHTEN C W (MAJ)" (photographs) 1915
Indian Army mule transport at Gallipoli. Or possibly Lemnos Island.
THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN, APRIL 1915 - JANUARY 1916
part of "BRIGHTEN C W (MAJ)" (photographs) 1915
Two British Army officers on horseback, probably on leave on one of the Greek islands.