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

Fampoux Mill, November 17 1917
(art) Made by: Rose, Geoffrey K (MC) 1917-11-17
image: a depiction of the heavily bomb damaged water mill at Fampoux, on the bank of the River Scarpe. The roof has been particularly badly damaged.
Old French Wine Barrels in Hebuterne Village, August 1915
(art) Made by: Rose, Geoffrey K (MC) 1915-08
image: five large wooden wine barrels lie in a covered lean-to within a copse of trees. There appears to be a pond further back to the left with a building immediately behind it.
Farm Building in Hebuterne Keep, 1915
(art) Made by: Rose, Geoffrey K (MC) 1915
image: a view of the large wooden gates providing entrance to the courtyard of a typical French farm in Hebuterne.
Road near Burbure (Allouagne), July 1915
(art) Made by: Rose, Geoffrey K (MC) 1915-07
image: a view along a road running through the countryside of northern France. To the left are two farm buildings, with small sprouting crops in an open field to the right of the road in the immediate foreground. Trees and further fields can be seen in...
Stump of Sucrerie Chimney, North of Auchonvillers, October 1915
(art) Made by: Rose, Geoffrey K (MC) 1915-10
image: the damaged remainder of a chimney of a sugar refinery, with a line of trees in the background to the right.
Vats in Nieppe Brewery, June 1915
(art) Made by: Rose, Geoffrey K (MC) 1915-06
image: an interior view of a brewery with a bench in the foreground and three large vats along the back of the room.
Malthouse at Writtle (used as Billets 1914); On Leave, 1916
(art) Made by: Rose, Geoffrey K (MC) 1916-08
image: an annotated sketch of a malthouse, with the kiln and cowl section housed between two larger sections of the building. There are trees in the background to the left.
Robecq Old Mill and Bridge, November 1916
(art) Made by: Rose, Geoffrey K (MC) 1916-11
image: a view up a road lined on either side by trees, with a large building at the end and an arched stone bridge immediately to the right of the building. A wheeled cart is parked in front of the building.
Farm House Converted into a Strong Point near Rouge de Bout, August 1918
(art) Made by: Rose, Geoffrey K (MC) 1918-08-01
No description available