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

11 o'clock Parade : Guards' Depot
(art) Made by: Gross, Anthony (CBE) (RA) 1940
image: a square parade ground with groups of recruits taking part in various drilling exercises. Senior officers inspect the recruits. The square is surrounded by buildings that form the Barracks.
Relaxation in the Front Line
(art) Made by: Gross, Anthony (CBE) (RA) 1941
image: a group of British soldiers relax by fishing from the harbour wall at Dover, a small lighthouse immediately behind them. In the foreground, one man bends down to unhook a large fish he has just caught, the fish lying amongst an assortment of large...
Harbour Defences
(art) Made by: Gross, Anthony (CBE) (RA) 1941
image: a harbour with two lighthouses positioned on the ends of the two walls that mark the entrance. A coastal defence gun protrudes from the right and soldiers stand at their outpost, another large gun positioned before the foremost lighthouse. The...
Observation Post with Gulls: 'Solomon' and 'Sheba'
(art) Made by: Gross, Anthony (CBE) (RA) 1941
image: an observation post on the coast dotted with inquisitive seagulls. A group of men, including NCOs of the Royal Artillery and a Royal Navy officer, man the outpost, leaning on sandbags. On the left, the land descends to reveal Dover promenade in...
Minesweepers - 'Fireman'
(art) Made by: Freeth, Hubert Andrew (RA) 1940
War Artists Advisory Committee commission
Minesweepers - 'Jock'
(art) Made by: Freeth, Hubert Andrew (RA) 1940
image: a half-length, seated portrait of a British sailor in uniform, leaning back on a long bench. Another sailor watches in the background.
Minesweeper
(art) Made by: Freeth, Hubert Andrew (RA) 1940
image: A portrait drawing of an Ordinary Seaman wearing a plain jumper. He sits back in a relaxed pose looking out at the viewer. His left hand rests loosely in his lap, and his right rests on the arm of the chair.
An Ordinary Seaman on Minesweeping Service
(art) Made by: Freeth, Hubert Andrew (RA) 1940
image: a seated half-length portrait of a British sailor wearing his hat and an oilskin.
Minesweepers
(art) Made by: Freeth, Hubert Andrew (RA) 1940
image: a British sailor in uniform sits with his knee drawn up to his chest and his hands clasped on his shin.
"They Know Not What They Do" 1940
(art) Made by: Newton, Ernest Eric 1940
No description available