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

Edwards, Annie Sarah (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1976-03-04
British civilian served with Women's Land Army in Sussex and Surrey, GB, 1915-1919
Miller, Lettice (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1994-08
British schoolchild in Gloucestershire, GB, 1914-1918; civilian served with Women's Land Army and volunteer helper with POW's parcels in Hampshire, GB, 1939-1945
BROWN, ISABEL (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1977
British civilian member of Communist Party in GB, Russia and Germany, 1920-1936; imprisoned for incitement in GB during General Strike, 1926; member of Committee for Relief of Victims of Fascism in GB, 1933 including organising of legal defence of Georgi...
Mellor, Benjamin John (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company) 1986-07-01
British civilian employed as farm worker in Staffordshire, GB, 1914-1918
Gregory, Thomas (IWM interview)
(sound) Made by: IWM (Production company)
British civilian in England during 1930s. Served as runner and officer with British Bn, 15th International Bde in Spain 12/1936-4/1938; POW 4/1938-2/1939
Down On The Farm
(sound) Made by: BBC (Production company) 1977
British civilians worked for Women's Land Army in Surrey, GB, 1917-1918
recording
(sound) Made by: Howell, Chris (Production company) 1982
British private served with 1/4th Bn Gloucestershire Regt on Western Front, 1915-1918; POW in Germany, 1918
recording
(sound) Made by: Wilkinson, James (Production company) 1982
British private served with 266th Coy Machine Gun Corps on Western Front, 1916-1918; POW in France and Germany, 1918
recording
(sound) Made by: Wilkinson, James (Production company) 1981
British NCO served with 9th and 10th Bns Loyal North Lancashire Regt on Western Front, 1915-1919; POW in France and Germany, 1918
recording
(sound) Made by: Wilkinson, James (Production company) 1978-12
British private served with 2nd and 13th Bns King's Liverpool Regt on Western Front, 1917-1918; POW in Germany, 1917-1919