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.

London during the Second World War

London during the Second World War
London during the Second World War

A view of Trafalgar Square in London, a short walk from Churchill War Rooms, showing propaganda hoardings on Nelson's Column in 1939.
London during the Second World War
London during the Second World War

A Heinkel He 111 bomber flying over London, 1940. Since the First World War the government had feared that London would be the target of aerial bombardment. In 1938 the basement of a Whitehall building was chosen as the site for the Cabinet War Rooms.
London during the Second World War
London during the Second World War

The Prime Minister Winston Churchill visiting bombed-out buildings in the East End of London on 8 September 1940.
London during the Second World War
London during the Second World War

At a meeting at the War Cabinet Room in Oct 1940, after a bomb caused damage to 10 Downing St, Churchill was persuaded to meet in the Cabinet War Rooms regularly. This image shows damage at 10 Downing St after a bomb had fallen nearby, 20 Feb 1944.
London during the Second World War
London during the Second World War

Lance Bombardier Sydney May and a colleague chat to Miss Doreen Peel during a boat trip along the River Thames in 1942. They are heading towards Waterloo Bridge, with the Houses of Parliament behind them.
London during the Second World War
London during the Second World War

A number 3 double-decker bus slowly pushes its way through the huge crowds gathered in Whitehall to hear Churchill's Victory speech and celebrate Victory in Europe Day on 8 May 1945.

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

Churchill War Rooms Commercial Filming and Photography

The Churchill War Rooms is an historic network of rooms beneath the streets of Whitehall which offers a unique and atmospheric location for commercial filming and photography.

The rooms have been left almost exactly as they were when the Cabinet War Rooms closed on 16 August 1945. Crews can go behind closed doors and film inside the Map Room, the Cabinet Room and the Chiefs of Staff room among others. The state-of-the-art Churchill Museum is also available for filming, as are the distinctive corridors of the War Rooms.

We strongly recommend that crews visit the Churchill War Rooms for a recce prior to filming. All filming at the Churchill War Rooms takes place out of public opening hours, before 9.30am and after 6pm, and is subject to terms and conditions.

To arrange a visit or discuss your requirements in more detail please contact Nina Smetek on 020 7091 3069 or email cwrfilming@iwm.org.uk.

Related Links