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

Sempre Avanti! [Always Forward!]
(posters) Made by: L A R [?] (artist) 1916
whole: the image occupies the majority. The title and text are separate and positioned in the lower fifth, in black. All set against a white background. image: a full-length depiction of Italia, in profile, wearing a turreted crown and classical robes....
Sottoscrivete! [Subscribe!]
(posters) Made by: Mauzan, Luciano Achille (artist) 1916
whole: the image occupies the whole. The title is integrated and positioned in the lower quarter, in white cursive script. The text is integrated and positioned along the bottom edge, in yellow outlined black. All held within a narrow black border and...
E Nostro Torni quel che fu Già Nostro! [What was Ours Must be Returned to Us!]
(posters) Made by: Mauzan, Luciano Achille (artist) 1918
whole: the image occupies the majority, held within a decorative oval border of green laurel leaves. The title and text are separate and positioned in the lower quarter, in black cursive script, held within a scroll design. Further text is separate and...
Non s'ha da Udir, Qualunque sia la Folla [No-one Should Ever Utter]
(posters) Made by: Mazza, Aldo (artist)
whole: the image occupies the majority, with the title separate and positioned in the upper left, in black. The text is integrated and positioned in the lower right, in black cursive script. Further text is integrated and positioned in the centre left,...
Fate Tutti il Vostro Dovere! [Perform Your Duty, All of You!]
(posters) Made by: Credito Italiano (publisher/sponsor) 1917
whole: the image occupies the majority, partially held within a black border. The title is partially integrated and positioned in the lower left, in grey. The text is separate and positioned in the lower quarter, in red and in grey, set against a black...
Per la Liberazione Sottoscrivete! [For Freedom Subscribe!]
(posters) Made by: Mauzan, Luciano Achille (artist) 1915
whole: the image occupies the whole, held within a black border. The title is integrated and positioned in the upper right, in green. The text is integrated and positioned in the lower quarter, in blue. image: a full-length depiction of an Italian '...