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.

Americans at Duxford

Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945
Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945

HM King George VI and Queen Elizabeth are greeted by Brigadier Frank Hunter and Major General Ira Eaker of the 8th US Army Air Forces on a visit to Duxford, 26 May 1943. (© IWM CH 19214)
Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945
Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945

Pilots from the 78th Fighter Group, US 8th Army Air Force relaxing outside the Squadron 'ready room', late summer 1944. (© IWM HU 31937)
Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945
Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945

Republic P-47C and D Thunderbolts of the 78th Fighter Group lined up on the airfield, winter 1943. (© IWM HU 57985)
Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945
Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945

Bob Hope, accompanied by Francis Langford, sitting in the cockpit of Captain R E Eby's Republic P-47C Thunderbolt 'Vee Gaile' (82nd FS/78th FG), during their USO show visit to Duxford, 2 July 1943. (© IWM HU 57979)
Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945
Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945

Wing Commander S L Matthews, Station Commander at Duxford, at the handover of the station to the US 8th Airforce, 1943. (© IWM HU 51427)

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October Half Term Activities

Daily from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November

11am to 3pm daily in front of the Lancaster in AirSpace

This year marks the 70^th anniversary of the famous Dambusters Raid.

In the shadows of the Lancaster bomber in AirSpace, our costumed interpreter will tell the story of the Dambusters Raid, not just through spoken word but also using models, paintings and the science of the mission.

See whether you could hit the dam with our specially-commissioned interactive model, try on mini-RAF uniforms, see and hold objects that would have been used by members of Bomber Command and get hands-on with our craft activity.

Suitable for: Families

Event type: Family activities

Location: IWM Duxford

Cost:

October half term activities are included in standard admission to IWM Duxford. As usual, children aged 15 and under are free.