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

WORKERS' WELFARE AT A ROYAL ORDNANCE FACTORY, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Off-duty women war workers choose books from the library at the residential club that is provided for them at their munitions factory hostel, probably ROF Bridgend. A poster behind them states that Warship Week runs from 15-22 November.
WORKERS' WELFARE AT A ROYAL ORDNANCE FACTORY, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Off-duty war workers relax in armchairs and have a sing-song at the residential club that is provided for them at their munitions factory hostel, probably ROF Bridgend. One woman plays a piano accompaniment.
WORKERS' WELFARE AT A ROYAL ORDNANCE FACTORY, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Women war workers queue for a meal at the serving hatch in the canteen of the residential club that is provided for them at their munitions factory hostel, probably ROF Bridgend.
WORKERS WELFARE AT A ROYAL ORDNANCE FACTORY: LIFE AT ROF BRIDGEND, JANUARY 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A soldier, airman and sailor dance with factory workers during a dance held in the hostel hall attached to the ordnance factory at Bridgend. Visitors are welcomed to the dances held at the hostel.
WORKERS WELFARE AT A ROYAL ORDNANCE FACTORY: LIFE AT ROF BRIDGEND, JANUARY 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
The YMCA Club leader leads a sing-song in the lounge of the war workers hostel at ROF Bridgend. The war workers and their Royal Air Force guest have gathered around the piano to join in the singing.
WORKERS WELFARE AT A ROYAL ORDNANCE FACTORY: LIFE AT ROF BRIDGEND, JANUARY 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Music hall group 'The Pelleteers' perform for workers in the hall at Royal Ordnance Factory, Bridgend. The members of the group, both male and female, work at the factory and have produced the costumes from their own magazine uniforms. The group...
WORKERS WELFARE AT A ROYAL ORDNANCE FACTORY: LIFE AT ROF BRIDGEND, JANUARY 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
The recreation room at the war workers hostel at ROF Bridgend is very used. Here we see two women war workers entertaining their army and Royal Air Force guests by challenging them to a game of table tennis. In the background, another game of table...
WORKERS WELFARE AT A ROYAL ORDNANCE FACTORY: LIFE AT ROF BRIDGEND, JANUARY 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A scene in one of the bedrooms at the war workers hostel at ROF Bridgend. The room is fitted with bunks, a washbasin, a wardrobe and a chest of drawers and is centrally-heated. The photograph shows one war worker reading on her top-bunk bed, whilst the...
WORKERS WELFARE AT A ROYAL ORDNANCE FACTORY: LIFE AT ROF BRIDGEND, JANUARY 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A scene in the busy canteen at the war workers hostel at ROF Bridgend. War workers and their guests enjoy a cup of tea and a bun in the canteen, which is always open. According to the original caption, the canteen stocks toilet items and stamps as well...
WORKERS WELFARE AT A ROYAL ORDNANCE FACTORY: LIFE AT ROF BRIDGEND, JANUARY 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Regular dressmaking classes and excellent equipment make the sewing room in the war workers hostel at ROF Bridgend very popular. Here we see several women at work on sewing machines, whilst others sew by hand or discuss a pattern in a magazine.