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.

These special programmes are only available on specific days.
Children will be involved in organised focused activities and then have the chance to explore the rest of the site.
Key Stages 3 and 4, Years 9-13 - All-day event 16 October 2013
There will be a broad cross-section of engineering companies and institutions from the region based in the AirSpace hangar. Students can attend up to four one hour talks on engineering and will be engaged in one hands-on quality problem solving activity related to their particular area of interest.
Call the Department for Learning on 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking.
Key Stage 1 (Year 2) and Key Stage 2 - 90 minutes
Join in our poignant remembrance activities. Explore the reasons why people go to war and why we should remember. Find out about the British Legion and the poppy symbol. Learn about memorials and examine some of ours on-site.
Call the Department for Learning on 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking.
Key Stage 2 - All-day event 26-27 June 2013
Interact with wartime characters, learn about wartime games and join in wartime dances. Help to put out an incendiary bomb with the National Fire Service, dig for victory and much more! There are pre-booked and drop-in activities available.
Call the Department for Learning on 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking.
All-day event, 12 June 2013
In partnership with STEM Team East, and led by Science and Engineering Ambassadors from companies and institutions around the region, students take part in hands-on Science and Technology projects.
Early bird booking before 3 May £5 per pupil. £7 per pupil after 3 May. Call the Department for Learning on 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking.
All-day event, 13 June 2013
Working in partnership with STEM Team East this day offers a unique learning experience with access to the whole museum and hands-on Science and Technology projects.
Early bird booking before 3 May £7 per pupil. £8 per pupil after 3 May. Call the Department for Learning on 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking.
Key Stage 2 - 90 minutes
Discover what children ate for Christmas lunch, and what sort of presents they could expect. Also find out how the war affected family life at Christmas – especially if dad was away serving in the military.
Call the Department for Learning on 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking.
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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.
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