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

JAMAICAN TECHNICIANS ARRIVE IN BRITAIN, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Jamaican technicians, newly-arrived in Britain, enjoy a game of cards in their hostel. They have travelled to Britain to train and work in various factories in Merseyside.
JAMAICAN TECHNICIANS ARRIVE IN BRITAIN, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Jamaican technicians, newly-arrived in Britain, read magazines and write letters home as they relax in their dormitory. They have travelled to Britain to train and work in various factories in Merseyside.
JAMAICAN TECHNICIANS ARRIVE IN BRITAIN, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A group of Jamaican technicians, newly-arrived in Britain, sit in armchairs and read newspapers and magazines in the lounge at West India House. On the coffee table can be seen a copy of 'The Manchester Guardian Weekly'. They have travelled to Britain...
JAMAICAN TECHNICIANS ARRIVE IN BRITAIN, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Jamaican technicians, newly-arrived in Britain, enjoy lunch at West India House. They have travelled to Britain to train and work in various factories in Merseyside.
JAMAICAN TECHNICIANS ARRIVE IN BRITAIN, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Jamaican electricians, newly-arrived in Britain, register for employment. Standing, third from left, is Alderman C McVey, Chairman of the Merseyside Labour Supply Committee, who has come to greet the technicians on behalf of the Minister of Labour.
JAMAICAN TECHNICIANS ARRIVE IN BRITAIN, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Jamaican technicians, newly-arrived in Britain, enjoy a game of billiards in their hostel. They have travelled to Britain to train and work in various factories in Merseyside.
JAMAICAN TECHNICIANS ARRIVE IN BRITAIN, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
A group of Jamaican technicians smile from the window of their railway carriage as they arrive in Britain to train and work in various factories in Merseyside.
JAMAICAN TECHNICIANS ARRIVE IN BRITAIN, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF LABOUR SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Jamaican technician A E Vaz (right), newly-arrived in Britain, is greeted with a warm hand shake and a smile from his brother Fred (left). A E Vaz has travelled with a group of fellow technicians to Britain to train and work in factories in Merseyside...
NEWFOUNDLAND TROOPS IN ENGLAND, COMMANDO TRAINING, 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
Commandos of the Newfoundland Heavy Artillery Regiment crawl through barbed wire entanglements as part of a training exercise somewhere in England.
NEWFOUNDLAND TROOPS IN ENGLAND, COMMANDO TRAINING, 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer
BSM 'Tosh' John (left) and Gunner Jim Cooper crawl through a barbed wire entanglement during training, somewhere in England. BSM John was a Commando in the British Army before being transferred to a Newfoundland Regiment and Gunner Cooper is a labourer...