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

War Weapons Week in a Country Town
(art) Made by: Ford, Michael 1941
image: A street scene in a small town. A brass band, Girl Guides, Police and Home Guard participate in War Weapons Week outside a community hall and are watched by a crowd of civilians. Union flags are on display and a speech is being made from a...
WINGS FOR VICTORY ART SHOW, PICCADILLY, LONDON, ENGLAND, UK, MARCH 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Servicemen and civilians look at the paintings featured in an art exhibition held in the former car showrooms of Rootes Ltd in Piccadilly during Wings for Victory Week.
WINGS FOR VICTORY ART SHOW, PICCADILLY, LONDON, ENGLAND, UK, MARCH 1943
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Two women look at a pastel study of a Norwegian captain serving with the RAF at an exhibition of art held in the former car showrooms of Rootes Ltd in Piccadilly during Wings for Victory Week. The study is by Eric Kennington.
WARTIME IN THE SCILLIES: EVERYDAY LIFE ON THE SCILLY ISLES, APRIL 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
A Bovey pottery figure of Winston Churchill can be seen amongst other items as part of a display in the window of a shop on Tresco, Scilly Isles, to promote War Weapons Week, to be held between 14th and 20th April.
War Weapons Week, Paisley : December 1940
(art) Made by: Macpherson, Alexander 1940-12-01
image: A view looking down on Barshaw Park hung with buntings. Crowds of civilians are gathered to look at a display of artillery, tanks and a captured German Messerschmitt 109 fighter aircraft.
Wings for Victory Week: Trafalgar Square, London WC2
(art) Made by: Pitchforth, Roland Vivian (RA) 1943
image: a view of a busy Trafalgar Square in London with a Lancaster bomber on display as a huge crowd gathers to mark 'Wings for Victory Week'. The view faces the front of the National Gallery in the background, which has numerous flags of Allied nations...
Warships Week, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2, 1942
(art) Made by: Rushbury, Henry (Sir) (RA) 1942
image: a view looking down on crowds of civilians and military personnel gathering in Trafalgar Square. Union Jacks are flying around the square and a pavilion in the shape of a warship has been erected outside the National Gallery.