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

Twilight on the Tigris, near Amara
(art) Made by: Maxwell, Donald
image: a view along the Tigris River near Amara at twilight, with a local boat moored on the right bank and a paddle steamer on the water in the distance.
Kut. Showing the Ruined Minaret
(art) Made by: Maxwell, Donald
image: a view across part of Kut, with some water of the Tigris river in the immediate foreground. Further back are a series of buildings, with a bomb damaged minaret in the centre and a British Union Jack flying from a flagpole to the right.
Qalat Salih
(art) Made by: Maxwell, Donald
image: a view along a wide section of the Tigris River at Qal'at Salih, with some local boats moored on the left bank and trees and vegetation on the horizon.
The Tigris in Flood. Baghdad
(art) Made by: Maxwell, Donald
image: a view across the Tigris River at Baghdad, with a domed mosque and other large buildings on the far river bank. Two large local sailing boats and a smaller vessel are moored in front of the mosque, with a buoy bouncing in the flood level water in...
'Puffing Billy' (S31) In Baghdad
(art) Made by: Maxwell, Donald
image: a starboard side view of a paddle steamer moving along the Tigris river at Baghdad, with buildings of the city on the riverbank in the background.
In Asha Creek, Basra
(art) Made by: Maxwell, Donald
image: several small local boats moored beside a series of stone steps, leading from a creek up to a busy street in Basra. Supplies and items for trade and sale are unloaded from the boats, with bundles being carried up the steps. Crowds of people fill...
Basra: The Venice of the East
(art) Made by: Maxwell, Donald
image: a local Marsh Arab boat sails along a picturesque stretch of the Tigris River at Basra. Palm trees and lush vegetation grow on the right bank, whilst there are a series of squat, square buildings on the left bank, with other local boats moored...
Mahailas. Basra
(art) Made by: Maxwell, Donald
image: a sketch of two local sailing craft, with buildings and a harbour coastline in the background.
A Marsh Arabs' Bellam under Sail: Tigris
(art) Made by: Maxwell, Donald
image: a sketch of a local sailing boat under sail, with the outline of a river bank in the background.
The Inland Water Transport: Mahaila Z32, Basra
(art) Made by: Maxwell, Donald
image: a stern view sketch of a local type small boat moored at a harbour, showing its interior fittings.