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

PERSONNEL SELECTION IN THE BRITISH ARMY: RECRUITS [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Mason, Bill (Production individual) 1944
A detailed account of the procedure followed to assess new recruits and make optimum use of their capabilities.
JOHN BROWN JOINS THE ARMY [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1918
The British administrative system whereby a conscript is identified and processed into the Army, March 1918.
SCENES ON THE WESTERN FRONT [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1918
British propaganda film of the Western Front calling for greater efforts and firmness from all to win victory, 1918.
WITH OUR BOYS AT THE FRONT (first version) [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1918
British propaganda film of the Western Front aimed at persuading the Home population to reject any German peace offer, Spring 1918.
DEMOBILISATION FILM [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor) 1918
Troops going through final demobilisation procedure in Britain at the end of the First World War.
WITH THE VICTORIOUS BRITISH TROOPS ON THE AMIENS FRONT [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1918
British compilation film of their own and French forces during the German 'Kaiserschlacht' offensive on the Western Front, March-April 1918.
AFRICA FREED [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Army Film and Photographic Unit (Production company) 1943
Film about the Tunisian campaign, concentrating on the British forces involved.
SCENES IN BRUSSELS [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1918
The state entry of the King and Queen of Belgium into Brussels, 22nd November 1918.
FRATERNISATION BETWEEN BRITISH AND GERMAN SOLDIERS AT ATH [Allocated Title]
(film) Made by: Topical Film Company (Production company) 1918
Unedited film of British and German troops in or near Ath, Belgium, during the Armistice, mid or late November 1918.
FULHAM'S GUN DAY [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor) 1918
A parade and celebration over the purchase of a 6-inch 26 cwt howitzer, Fulham, London, October 1918.