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

recording
(sound) Made by: Lane, Tony (Production company) 1988
British civilian engineer served on the Westmoreland, sunk in River Mersey 1940; served on Aurari in convoys to New Zealand 1941 and Malta 1942; engineer on hospital ships Somersetshire and Dorsetshire in Mediterranean and Far East 1943-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Dobrin, Ivor (Production company) 1992
British civilian in Tottenham, London during Blitz and V weapon attacks 1940-1941. Served with Merchant Navy as mess boy aboard Olga, Jebson, Disa, Calebra and Radmanso on Atlantic Convoys and in North Sea 1944-1945. Served aboard Curacao in Pacific...
recording
(sound) Made by: Morris, Eric (Production company) 1980
American NCO in HQ Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group and 2nd lieutenant, Provisional Infantry Bn, Army Air Corps in Philippines, 1941-1942; POW in Japan 1942-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Morris, Eric (Production company) 1980
American NCO served with Army Air Corps in Philippines, 1941-1942; POW in Japan 1942-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Morris, Eric (Production company) 1980
American adjutant of 2nd Bn, 57th Infantry Regt Philippine Scouts, North Luzon Force and Bataan Defence Force, 1941-1942; wounded 1941 and POW in Japan 1942-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Morris, Eric (Production company) 1980
American gunner served with 59th Coastal Artillery Corps in Philippines, 1941-1942; POW in Japan, 1942-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Morris, Eric (Production company) 1980
American NCO served with 2nd Bn, 31st Infantry Regt, and quartermaster sergeant with Philippine Scouts in Philippines, 1941-1942; POW in Philippines and Japan, 1942-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Morris, Eric (Production company) 1980
American NCO in 1st Marine Defence Bn (Cavite Marines) in Philippines, 1941-1942; POW in Japan 1942-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Morris, Eric (Production company) 1980
American NCO served with 194th Tank Bn, California National Guard in Philippines, 1941-1942; POW in Japan, 1942-1945
recording
(sound) Made by: Morris, Eric (Production company) 1980
American private served with 19th Bombardment Group, Army Air Corps from Clarke and Del Monte Fields, Philippines 1941-1942; POW in Japan 1942-1945