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

Bad Form in Dress
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1916
whole: the title is placed across the top, with the text below, both in blue and held within a blue border. image: text only. text: BAD FORM IN DRESS. [follows text encouraging women not to dress extravagantly and to buy new clothes only when necessary]...
If You Cannot Fight Lend Your Money
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1916
whole: the title and text are in blue against a white background, and arranged in banner form within a red and blue border. image: text only. text: IF YOU CANNOT FIGHT LEND YOUR MONEY £1 FOR 15s 6d [details follow of the benefits and conditions of the...
Don't
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1916
whole: the title and text are in blue, held within a red and blue frame, and arranged in banner form against a white background. image: text only. text: DON'T 1. Don't use a motor car or motor cycle for pleasure purposes. 2. Don't buy new clothes...
Don't Take Alcoholic Drinks on Mondays
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1916
whole: the title is in blue and occupies the top half of the poster, with the text below in red. All held within a red and blue frame against a white background. image: text only. text: Don't Take Alcoholic Drinks on MONDAYS In view of the great...
If You Cannot Fight - Lend Your Money
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist) 1916
whole: the title and images are integrated and arranged side by side in banner form. image: top right, a British infantryman facing the viewer and loading a rifle. Lower left, a scene in a post office with an older man paying across the counter, two...