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

WRNS [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Addinsell, Richard (Production individual) 1941-11
The work of the Women's Royal Naval Service, presented in the framework of the story of a Wren's first posting.
QUEEN'S MESSENGERS [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Jago, Jo (Production individual) 1941-07
Explanation of a plan for a large-scale mobile canteen service, to be rushed at need to blitzed areas all over Britain.
SHUNTER BLACK'S NIGHT OFF [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Carr, James (Production individual) 1941-08
Shunter Joe Black heroically puts out a burning explosives truck. "Based on a true story."
BEHIND THE GUNS [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Merton Park Studios (Production company) 1940-07
As implied by the title, a film about the "army without uniform" of industrial workers vital to the war effort, stressing the importance of the "constant offensive on this battlefront".
WVS (WOMEN'S VOLUNTARY SERVICES) [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Birt, Louise (Production cast) 1941
Various aspects of the war-work of the WVS - "Maids of all work in green uniforms".
FURNACES OF INDUSTRY [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Rogers, J (Production individual) 1940-11
Steel production in Britain.
NEIGHBOURS UNDER FIRE [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Bond, Ralph (Production individual) 1940-12
Commemorates the (primarily voluntary) efforts by which Londoners coped with the start of the Blitz when, the commentary says, 1200 people were made homeless in one night.
CYMRU - WALES [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Alwyn, William (Production individual) 1943
Wales in wartime using much of the footage from WALES GREEN MOUNTAIN BLACK MOUNTAIN (UKY 379).
WARTIME FACTORY [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Anstey, Edgar (Production individual) 1940
Documentary portrays the improved welfare enjoyed in wartime by men and women workers at a typical aircraft factory, and the precautions taken against enemy attack.
SEA CADETS [Main Title]
(film) Made by: Rhind, Al (Production individual) 1941-07
Semi-dramatised film about the activities of the Navy League's Sea Cadets.