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

White, Doris (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: Thames Television (Production company)
British civilian worked as riveter in aircraft factory in London, GB, 1941-1945
McBeath, John Edwin Home (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: Thames Television (Production company) 1972
British officer commanded HMS Venomous during Dunkirk Evacuation, 5/1940-6/1940
recording
(sound) Made by: Thames Television (Production company) 1972
British officer served as Chief of Intelligence to General Eisenhower and with SHAEF in North Africa, Italy and North West Europe, 1943-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Thames Television (Production company) 1972
British officer commanded 30 Corps in North West Europe, 1944-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Thames Television (Production company) 1972
British civilian in Singapore, Malaya, 1941-1942
recording
(sound) Made by: Thames Television (Production company) 1972
British POW on Burma-Thailand Railway, 1942-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Thames Television (Production company) 1972
Malayan volunteer with Singapore Volunteer Corps in Singapore, Malaya, 1941-1942
recording
(sound) Made by: Thames Television (Production company) 1972
British officer served as liaison officer with French Army High Command in France, 1940
recording
(sound) Made by: Thames Television (Production company) 1972
British officer served as staff officer with 146 Brigade, British Expeditionary Force in Norway, 1940
recording
(sound) Made by: Thames Television (Production company) 1972
British private served with 1st Burma Div in Burma, 1942