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

Squadron Leader F D Hughes: DFC and two Bars
(art) Made by: Freeth, Hubert Andrew (RA) 1943
image: A head and shoulder portrait of Squadron Leader F D Hughes in uniform, facing slightly to the left.
Wing Commander J J McKay, DFC
(art) Made by: Freeth, Hubert Andrew (RA) 1943
image: A head and shoulder portrait of Wing Commander J J McKay in uniform, facing slightly right.
Jehan Ingram : an ENSA artist
(art) Made by: Carr, Henry
image: A head portrait of Jehan Ingram looking away to the left.
Air Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham : KCB, DSO, MC, DFC, AFC
(art) Made by: Freeth, Hubert Andrew (RA) 1943-09-01
image: A head and shoulder portrait of Air Marshal Sir Arthur Coninghamin in uniform, facing slightly to the left.
Leading Aircraftsman Neame
(art) Made by: Freeth, Hubert Andrew (RA) 1943
image: A head and shoulder portrait of Leading Aircraftsman Neame, facing slightly to the left.
Air Vice-Marshal H Broadhurst : DSO, DFC and Bar, AFC
(art) Made by: Freeth, Hubert Andrew (RA) 1943
image: A head and shoulder portrait of Air Vice-Marshal H Broadhurst in uniform.
Air Commodore H Whitford, CBE
(art) Made by: Freeth, Hubert Andrew (RA) 1943
image: Head and shoulder portrait of Air Commodore H Whitford in uniform.
An Italian Girl
(art) Made by: Carr, Henry
image: A head portrait of a young girl with shoulder-length hair.
Scium Basci Tesfalidet Ghidai: Polizia Africana Italiana, Asmara. A sergeant in the Police Force formed by the Italians.
(art) Made by: Bawden, Edward
image: Portrait of a policeman in uniform
Piazza Italia : the Native Quarter, Asmara
(art) Made by: Bawden, Edward
image: a large piazza lined with column-fronted buildings, with various people going about their business. In the centre foreground there are two horses and carts, with another in the foreground to the right. In the left foreground is a motor vehicle.