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 INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN 1939-1945
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Factory Entertainments and Visits: Gracie Fields helping two women workers stamp a shell case at an ordnance factory. She was visiting in order to give a Ministry of Labour 'Munitions Concert' which was organised by ENSA [Entertainments National Service...
LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Wartime Entertainers: The singer Vera Lynn, who became so popular with British servicemen that she was known as the 'Forces Sweetheart' sings to workers during their lunch break at a factory in the south of England.
GRACIE FIELDS SINGS AT A MUNITIONS FACTORY, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Singer Gracie Fields stands at the microphone on a stage at an ordnance factory, somewhere in Britain. In her arms, she holds the daughter of a war worker and a large bouquet of flowers which have just been presented to her by the little girl following...
GRACIE FIELDS SINGS AT A MUNITIONS FACTORY, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Singer Gracie Fields steps down from the stage following a performance at a munitions factory, somewhere in Britain, possibly in Tyneside.
GRACIE FIELDS SINGS AT A MUNITIONS FACTORY, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Singer Gracie Fields stands on a grand piano as she sings to a huge crowd of munitions workers during a performance at an ordnance factory, somewhere in Britain, possibly ROF Kirkby in Liverpool. The workers are densely packed into the room in which the...
GRACIE FIELDS SINGS AT A MUNITIONS FACTORY, UK, 1941
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Singer Gracie Fields stands on a grand piano as she sings to a crowd of munitions workers during a performance at an ordnance factory, somewhere in Britain, possibly ROF Kirkby in Liverpool. A drum kit can be seen to the right of the photograph, and a...
LIFE IN A MINISTRY OF SUPPLY HOSTEL, UK, c 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Off-duty munitions workers play snooker and darts in the games room at a munitions factory hostel, somewhere in Britain. This room is just one of the many welfare facilities available at this hostel.
CARROLL GIBBONS ENTERTAINS WAR WORKERS, UK, c 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
Pianist Carroll Gibbons sits at a grand piano on a stage as he plays a concert for war workers at a factory, somewhere in Britain.
THE FACTORY ORCHESTRA PERFORMS IN THE WORKS CANTEEN, UK, 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
War workers enjoy their lunchtime meal as they listen to a concert given by the factory orchestra in the canteen of a factory, somewhere in Britain. Amongst the instruments being played are a grand piano, a double bass, and violins.
THE FACTORY ORCHESTRA PERFORMS IN THE WORKS CANTEEN, UK, 1942
part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Ministry of Information official photographer
The factory orchestra gives a concert as war workers eat their lunchtime meal in the canteen of a factory, somewhere in Britain. Amongst the instruments being played are a grand piano, a double bass, a saxophone, a clarinet and drums.