Battle of Britain Heroes

Battle of Britain Heroes

The pilots who defended Britain against the German Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain came from across the globe. The largest foreign contingent to fight in the Battle of Britain were the Polish, and their contribution and skills during the battle have become legendary.

Two members of the Observer Corps chart the movements of aircraft in their sector with a plotting instrument, 29 February 1940.
© IWM HU 104541
Battle of Britain
How the Observer Corps helped win the Battle of Britain
Could you identify a Messerschmitt 109 at a glance? How about estimating its height? That was the challenge faced by the Observer Corps during the Battle of Britain. Now put your own skills to the test with our Observer Corps Experience.
Squadron Leader Brian 'Sandy' Lane of 19 Squadron (centre) confers with Flight Lieutenant Walter 'Farmer' Lawson and Flight Sergeant George 'Grumpy Unwin at Fowlmere near Duxford, September 1940.
Second World War
Battle of Britain 80
With online collection stories, new exhibitions and virtual reality experiences, discover the Battle of Britain story with IWM Duxford.
Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding and a Hawker Hurricane super imposed onto the Filter Room table at Bentley Priory with the words "How Dowding Won"
Second World War
How Hugh Dowding and the RAF won the Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is often defined by images of Spitfires and Messerschmitts duelling in the skies. But what if the deciding factor in this fight for air supremacy was actually based on the ground? IWM Duxford Curator Craig Murray takes a look at the Dowding System and explains how it turned the battle decisively in Britain's favour.