Exhibition Preview - Catalyst: Contemporary Art and War
Exhibitions & Displays, IWM North
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.
A visit to the award winning IWM North is free and supports the study of History, Literacy, Art and Citizenship.
All schools and FE colleges must book their visit to IWM North in advance.
To enhance your visit further you can add a learning session. Charges apply. Limited availability at weekends and during school holidays.
Learning sessions use original and replica artefacts, documents, photographs, posters and art from our collections. Sessions must be pre-booked so browse the carousels using the red buttons to choose a session suitable for Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 or Post-16.
Before you request a visit check our current charges, supervision ratios and cancellation policies in our Terms and Conditions.
Once you have decided what you would like to do complete our visit request form
If we can match your request with our availability a provisional booking letter with a suitable itinerary will be emailed to you within five working days. If we cannot accommodate you we will contact you by email. To confirm your visit a signed copy of the provisional booking letter must be returned to the museum within seven days of receipt.
Please do not make travel arrangements until you have received the provisional booking letter.
Queries and requests for changes should be emailed to learningnorth@iwm.org.uk but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to amend a confirmed booking. We aim to respond to all email enquiries within five working days.
We recommend you make a pre-visit to help you get the most out of your visit. They are free and are designed to introduce teachers and tutors to the architecture, collections, exhibitions and learning offer at IWM North.
Exhibitions & Displays, IWM North
Family activities, IWM North
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Tours, IWM North
Family activities, IWM North
Family activities, IWM North
Tours, IWM North
Family activities, IWM North
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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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