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.

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The Great Escaper

Tue 15 October 2013

7pm-9pm

In this talk by author and Times journalist Simon Pearson, discover the extraordinary story of Roger Bushell, known as Big X, a prisoner of war noted for masterminding the ‘Great Escape’ at the infamous Stalug Luft III camp.

Drawing on new evidence from Bushell’s own private papers, donated to IWM by his family in 2011, and research for his new biography of Bushell, The Great Escaper, Pearson takes a closer look at this complex and charismatic man, revealing the unique part he played in the fight against Nazism.

Included in the ticket price will be the opportunity to view Churchill War Rooms after the event.

Simon will be happy to sign copies of his new biography, The Great Escaper, which will be available for purchase after the event.

Suitable for: Adults

Event type: Talks & screenings

Location: Churchill War Rooms

Cost:

Tickets £17 adults, £13.60 concessions. Advance booking required.