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

WAR INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
The Wartime Workforce: Four trainees at a Government munitions training factory using protractors during a plan drawing lesson. Ministry of Labour Training Centres had been in operation since the 1920s, but during the war it became necessary to expand...
BEVIN BOYS: MINING TRAINING, CANTERBURY, KENT, ENGLAND, UK, 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
During training at a colliery near Canterbury, 'Bevin Boy' John Vowler (from Sutton) attaches the hauling rope to a loaded truck. These trucks carry coal from the end of the conveyors to the pit shaft. The large beam on the right is the safety beam...
BEVIN BOYS: MINING TRAINING, CANTERBURY, KENT, ENGLAND, UK, 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
'Bevin Boys' Ernest Underdown (left) and Jim Malthouse learn to work the engine which drives the cables which draw loaded trucks through the mine tunnels as part of their training at a colliery near Canterbury. According to the original caption, Ernest...
BEVIN BOYS: MINING TRAINING, CANTERBURY, KENT, ENGLAND, UK, 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A group of 'Bevin Boys' enjoy their lunchtime meal in the colliery canteen. They have already had a morning of training at the coal face, and are relaxing following a wash and change of clothes before preparing for lectures in the afternoon. According...
BEVIN BOYS: MINING TRAINING, CANTERBURY, KENT, ENGLAND, UK, 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
As part of their training at a colliery near Canterbury, 'Bevin Boys' have Physical Training lessons with their ex-army instructor Alex Hamilton. According to the original caption "PT is specialised; is designed to strengthen up the trainees, and to...
BEVIN BOYS: MINING TRAINING, CANTERBURY, KENT, ENGLAND, UK, 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
As part of their training at a colliery near Canterbury, 'Bevin Boys' throw pit props onto piles during a Physical Training lesson with their ex-army instructor Alex Hamilton. According to the original caption "PT is specialised; is designed to...
BEVIN BOYS: MINING TRAINING, CANTERBURY, KENT, ENGLAND, UK, 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
As part of their training at a colliery near Canterbury, 'Bevin Boys' throw pit props onto piles during a Physical Training lesson with their ex-army instructor Alex Hamilton. According to the original caption "PT is specialised; is designed to...
BEVIN BOYS: MINING TRAINING, CANTERBURY, KENT, ENGLAND, UK, 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A group of 'Bevin Boys' listen to an afternoon lecture on 'underground transport' as part of their training at a colliery near Canterbury. Their lecturer (not visible) is Arthur Brooks, who has had 56 years of mining experience.
BEVIN BOYS: MINING TRAINING, CANTERBURY, KENT, ENGLAND, UK, 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A group of 'Bevin Boys' listen to an afternoon lecture on 'underground transport' as part of their training at a colliery near Canterbury. Their lecturer (back to camera) is Arthur Brooks, who has had 56 years of mining experience.
BEVIN BOYS: MINING TRAINING, CANTERBURY, KENT, ENGLAND, UK, 1944
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A group of 'Bevin Boys' leave the pithead at 10:30am, following their morning shift at the coal face. They are training at a colliery near Canterbury.