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.
Find out more about this session from the list below and then complete our visit request form.
Find out more about this session from the list below and then complete our visit request form.
Find out more about this session from the list below and then complete our visit request form.
Find out more about this session from the list below and then complete our visit request form.
Find out more about this session from the list below and then complete our visit request form.
Find out more about this session from the list below and then complete our visit request form.
Find out more about this session from the list below and then complete our visit request form.
Find out more about this session from the list below and then complete our visit request form.
A visit to IWM North can support programmes of study in History, Art, English, Literacy and Citizenship and includes handling original artefacts as well as using documents, photographs, posters and paintings.
45 minutes
Genuine and replica artefacts, sounds and smells help to tell the story of Flossie and Frank, two children living through the Second World War. One is evacuated, the other has to live with the blitz.
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45 minutes
Life in the trenches, the role of women and life on the home front are represented by genuine and replica First World War objects, photographs and sound clips. Students have the opportunity to handle these objects and discuss the themes in groups.
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45 minutes
Students can explore the impact of the Second World War on people’s lives by examining real artefacts and archive material. Each table will feature a different story from a boy who lived through the Salford Blitz to a sailor.
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45 minutes
This session encourages students to think about how we learn about history by exploring four personal stories linked to conflicts from the First and Second World Wars and the Iraq War 2003.
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45 minutes
Students are introduced to costumed character Violet - a woman living through the First World War. Pupils examine artefacts and photographs as inspiration to create a postcard as if they are writing from the trenches.
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20 minutes
Explore the themes of ARP, blackout and air raids through examining genuine and replica artefacts.
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20 minutes
In this gallery-based activity, students learn the basic concept of rationing and the impact it had on society by handling genuine and replica artefacts. Ideal for smaller groups.
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20 minutes
In this gallery-based activity, students gain an understanding of what soldiers experienced in the First World War trenches by looking at genuine artefacts and personal stories. Ideal for smaller groups.
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Year 3 and 4 - 20 minutes
This interactive storytelling session incorporates puppets and photographs to explain the roles of animals during times of war, including Rip, a dog that helped find people trapped after bombing raids in the Second World War.
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Year 3 and 4 - 20 minutes
This multi-sensory session uses a range of visual materials, sounds, smells and replica objects to tell the captivating story of Billy (a charming rag doll character) evacuated to the countryside during the Second World War.
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Sessions take place in our Learning studio or in the galleries.
Exhibitions & Displays, IWM North
Family activities, IWM North
Tours, IWM North
Conferences, IWM North
Tours, IWM North
Family activities, IWM North
Family activities, IWM North
Tours, IWM North
Family activities, IWM North
Other events, IWM North

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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