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

recording
(sound) Made by: BBC 8522 (Production company) 1944-06-17
BBC radio broadcast by British general to Allied Expeditionary Force from his headquarters in France, 17/6/1944
recording
(sound) Made by: BBC 9350 (Production company) 1944-07-11
BBC radio broadcast by British general to troops recapitulating events in Normandy, France, 11/7/1944
recording
(sound) Made by: BBC (Production company) 1944-08-11
BBC radio broadcast by British general to officers and men under his command recapitulating events in Normandy, France, 6/6/1944-11/8/1944
recording
(sound) Made by: Edison Bell Winner (Production company) 1914
'Landing of the British Army in France', British soldiers voices, music, cheering, singing, band playing the Marseillaise, on landing in France, First World War
recording
(sound) Made by: Alexander, Harold (1st Earl Alexander of Tunis) (interviewee/speaker) 1946-02-15
Extract from speech by British Field Marshal at presentation of Freedom of City of Edinburgh, Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 15/Feb/1946
recording
(sound) Made by: Alexander, Harold (1st Earl Alexander of Tunis) (interviewee/speaker) 1946-03-19
Extract from speech by British Field Marshal at presentation ceremony of Freedom of City of London, Guildhall, London, 19/Mar/1946
recording
(sound) Made by: Alexander, Harold (1st Earl Alexander of Tunis) (interviewee/speaker) 1943-12-15
BBC radio broadcast of Christmas message by British general to troops fighting in Italy, 15/Dec/1943. Introduced by correspondent Frank Gillard
Tunisian Victory
(sound) Made by: Alexander, Harold (1st Earl Alexander of Tunis) (interviewee/speaker) 1944-05-06
BBC radio broadcast by British Field Marshal entitled 'Tunisian Victory', 6/May/1944
recording
(sound) Made by: Alexander, Harold (1st Earl Alexander of Tunis) (interviewee/speaker) 1944-09-20
BBC radio broadcast of message by British Field Marshal to South Africa, praising South African Air Force and 6th South African Div, 20/Sep/1944
recording
(sound) Made by: Alexander, Harold (1st Earl Alexander of Tunis) (interviewee/speaker) 1945-10-30
BBC radio broadcast of British Field Marshall's farewell message to forces in Italy, 30/Oct/1945