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

BELGIANS TRAIN IN ENGLAND: PARACHUTE TRAINING AT RINGWAY, NEAR MANCHESTER, 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Belgian paratroopers in training at Ringway, near Manchester. The photograph shows them dropping through a wooden frame with a central chute through which each man must jump on command. This apparatus helps them to learn to fall in an erect position:...
BELGIANS TRAIN IN ENGLAND: PARACHUTE TRAINING AT RINGWAY, NEAR MANCHESTER, 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A Belgian sentry on duty, probably near Ringway, Manchester.
BELGIANS TRAIN IN ENGLAND: PARACHUTE TRAINING AT RINGWAY, NEAR MANCHESTER, 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Belgian paratroops exercise as part of their parachute training at Ringway. Here, trainees act as a substitute vaulting horse for their colleague as he does 'flying angel' jumps over them.
BELGIANS TRAIN IN ENGLAND: PARACHUTE TRAINING AT RINGWAY, NEAR MANCHESTER, 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A Belgian paratrooper practices landing as part of his training at Ringway, near Manchester.
BELGIANS TRAIN IN ENGLAND: PARACHUTE TRAINING AT RINGWAY, CHESHIRE, 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Belgian paratroops exercise as part of their parachute training at Ringway. Here, trainees act as a substitute vaulting horse for their colleague as he performs 'flying angel' jumps over them.
BELGIANS TRAIN IN ENGLAND: PARACHUTE TRAINING AT RINGWAY, NEAR MANCHESTER, 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Belgian paratroopers in training at Ringway, near Manchester. The photograph shows them dropping through a wooden frame with a central chute through which each man must jump on command. This apparatus helps them to learn to fall in an erect position:...
BELGIANS TRAIN IN ENGLAND: PARACHUTE TRAINING AT RINGWAY, NEAR MANCHESTER, 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A Belgian paratrooper does 'flying angel' jumps over a wooden horse as part of his 'limbering up exercises during parachute training at Ringway. Two other soldiers lie next to the horse to increase the distance jumped.
UNITED NATIONS DAY PARADE, LONDON, 14 JUNE 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR COLOUR TRANSPARENCY COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A general of the Belgian Army in Horse Guards Parade.