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

Menagez la Viande [Save the Meat]
(posters) Made by: Henderson, E (artist) 1918
whole: the image occupies the majority of the upper two-thirds, with the title separate and positioned in the lower third, in yellow and gray. The text is separate and positioned across the top edge and lower right, also in yellow and grey. Further text...
Canada's Pork Opportunity
(posters) Made by: Henderson, E (artist) 1918
whole: the image occupies the majority, with the title integrated and positioned top edge left and top edge centre, in brown. The text is integrated and positioned upper right and lower left, in brown. Further text is separate and positioned lower right...
Boys to the Farm
(posters) Made by: Henderson, E (artist) 1918
whole: the image occupies the majority, with the title separate and positioned across the top edge, in orange. The text is separate and positioned lower right, in blue and in white. Further text is integrated and positioned upper right, in white outlined...
We Are Saving You - You Save Food
(posters) Made by: Henderson, E (artist) 1918
whole: the image occupies the majority, held within a brown border. The title is integrated and positioned across the top edge, in orange. The text is separate and positioned in the lower quarter, in green, set against a black background, and held within...
Come into the Garden Dad!
(posters) Made by: Sampson, Joseph Earnest (artist) 1918
whole: the image occupies the majority of the upper three-quarters, held within a black border. The title is integrated and positioned upper left, in black, with the text separate and positioned in the lower quarter, in white and in black. All set...
Canada Food Board Recipe Books
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918
whole: the four images occupy the majority. The title is separate and positioned in the upper quarter, with the text separate and positioned in the lower quarter, both in black. The badge of the Canada Food Board is positioned upper left and upper right...
Canada's Butter Opportunity!
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918
whole: the four images occupy the majority of the right half. The title is separate and positioned in the upper quarter, with the text separate and positioned along the bottom edge, both in white. Further text is separate and positioned down the left-...
Canada's Beef Opportunity
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918
whole: the main image is positioned in the upper third, with a smaller image positioned lower centre. The badge of the Canada Food Board is positioned lower right; a badge inscribed 'Send More Beef' is positioned lower left. The title is separate and...
Ahoy Canadians! Are You Eating More Fish These Wartime Days?
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918
whole: the image occupies the left-hand third, with the title separate and positioned top edge centre and upper right, in white outlined black. The text is separate and positioned centre right and lower right, in black. The badge of the Canada Food Board...
Fish and Vegetable Meals
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1918
whole: the image occupies the upper half, with the title separate and positioned in the lower half, in yellow. The text is separate and positioned in the lower quarter, in white. The badge of the Canada Food Board is positioned in the upper right. All...