Autumn Air Show
Air Shows, IWM Duxford
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
Pilots from the 78th Fighter Group, US 8th Army Air Force relaxing outside the Squadron 'ready room', late summer 1944. (© IWM HU 31937)
Republic P-47C and D Thunderbolts of the 78th Fighter Group lined up on the airfield, winter 1943. (© IWM HU 57985)
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)
Wing Commander S L Matthews, Station Commander at Duxford, at the handover of the station to the US 8th Airforce, 1943. (© IWM HU 51427)
Find out more about this session from the list below and then call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking.

Find out more about this session from the list below and then call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking.

Find out more about this session from the list below and then call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking.

Find out more about this session from the list below and then call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking.

Find out more about this session from the list below and then call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking.

Find out more about this session from the list below and then call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking.

A visit to IWM Duxford can support programmes of study in History, Literacy, Art, Architecture, Citizenship, PSHE, Religious Education, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Self-directed
Be inspired by materials and textures at IWM Duxford. The diversity of the collection encompasses historic aircraft from the First World War to the SR-71 Blackbird as well as vehicles and objects relating to land warfare.
Call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking
Self-directed
The award-winning American Air Museum, designed by Lord Norman Foster, is a perfect place to explore techniques such as space and perspective, reflection and tone and the effective use of colour for camouflage and insignia.
Call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking
Self-directed
Use Renato Niemis's powerfully moving glass sculpture Counting the Cost, a memorial to US aircraft lost from British bases, as the starting point for discussion about public art, memorials and symbolic sculpture.
Call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking
Self-directed
Practice technical drawing skills at IWM Duxford. Flying Aircraft and Conservation in Action (summer opening only) provide the opportunity to see aircraft rebuilt, exposing their internal structures.
Call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking
60 minutes
Technology shapes warfare and warfare shapes technology. This workshop examines some of the technological developments which have taken place in the past century in relation to aircraft, land vehicles, materials and household objects.
Call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking
60 minutes
Discover what life was like for the British Tommy on the Western Front. Using a wealth of artefacts, film and photographs students will explore the daily routine of a soldier in the trenches.
Call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking
Sessions take place in our Learning Spaces and in the galleries, taking the museum’s artefacts, both small and large, as an inspirational starting point. Our sessions inspire, enthuse and extend knowledge and key skills.
In addition, we can cater for whole year groups and are happy to discuss any cross-curricular requirements.
We can also put together special packages for schools, combining handling artefacts and other sources of evidence with work in the galleries.
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Air Shows, IWM Duxford
Family activities, IWM Duxford
Other events, IWM Duxford
Other events, IWM Duxford
Tours, IWM Duxford
Tours, IWM Duxford
Tours, IWM Duxford
Family activities, IWM Duxford

From the World Wars to the Cold War, IWM gives teachers and students in UK schools everything they need to explore the course, causes and consequences of conflict from the First World War to today.
IWM is a charity, and we depend on supporters like you to help us care for and display our exceptional Collections. Please consider making a donation today.