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.

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Collections search

Women Activities
part of "Subject files" (war artist archive) Made by: Ministry of Information 1940-05-07
Correspondence with the Women's Voluntary Service for Civil Defence regarding documentation of women's wartime activities. It also includes a copy of the IWM exhibition leaflet 'Some Women Artists' (October 1958 - February 1959)
Suggestions by Lady Norman
part of "Subject files" (war artist archive) Made by: Ministry of Information 1940-01-27
File concerning suggestions made by Priscilla, Lady Norman, one of the Trustees of the Imperial War Museum, who were charged with collecting records of the war. Lady Norman wrote to her fellow Trustee, Muirhead Bone, who was also on the WAAC an an...
Elsie Hewland
part of "Correspondence with Artists" (war artists archive) Made by: Ministry of Information 1939-12-17
Hewland's name was added to the list of artists in December 1939. In June 1942 she submitted a picture which was not purchased but the committee's response was encouraging and she obtained facilities. In August 1942 she submitted another picture, which...
Norma Bull
part of "Correspondence with Artists" (war artists archive) Made by: Ministry of Information 1941-01-08
Norma Bull, an Australian artist, was recommended by John Masefield. She submitted her details including a catalogue and private view card for her exhibition at Harris's Gallery in Bath. Bull had a sketching permit, which meant she could make drawings...
Malvina Cheek
part of "Correspondence with Artists" (war artists archive) Made by: Ministry of Information 1944-06-07
Cheek submitted some work in June 1944, which was declined, and again in September 1944, when IWM:ART LD 4497 was purchased for 6 guineas. Further work was submitted but not acquired. The file also includes a copy of the leaflet for the 1958 IWM...
Elizabeth Polunin
part of "Correspondence with Artists" (war artists archive) Made by: Ministry of Information 1942-01-05
Polunin submitted some work in January 1942 and in February, was commissioned to paint a portrait of a Ministry of Home Security sitter, for 50 or 75 guineas depending on size. The picture was delivered in March (IWM:ART LD 1898). The file includes a...
K S Allen
part of "Correspondence with Artists" (war artists archive) Made by: Ministry of Information 1941-04-11
The file includes biographical details about Allen (4) She submitted some work in April 1941 (5) and afterwards, but nothing was acquired except in January 1943, when IWM:ART LD 2658 was purchased for 5 guineas (10). The file includes a copy of the...
Mona Moore
part of "Correspondence with Artists" (war artists archive) Made by: Ministry of Information 1941-04-24
Correspondence regarding the acquisition of works by Moore as follows: LD 991-992 purchased for 14 guineas in April 1941 LD 1468 and IWM:ART LD 1469-1471, accepted in fulfilment of a commission dated August 1941, to the sum of 14 guineas. On harvest...