The Fight for Afghanistan | British Forces in Helmand Imperial War Museums 2026-09-20 | The Fight for Afghanistan | British Forces in Helmand
The Tech That Makes Enemy Air Defences Useless Imperial War Museums 2024-05-09 | The course of warfare throughout the 20th Century has been dominated by air power. From the early biplanes of the First World War to the massed bomber formations of the Second, air power has been used to scout and attack enemy forces, dominating the theatre of war. This has led to an arms and technology race between air attack, and air defence.Following the Second World War, and later into the Vietnam War, a new concept of aerial warfare was developed – the Suppression of Enemy Air Defences. SEAD would see the integration of technologically advanced systems to destroy the enemy’s ability to defend itself from the air.In this video, Robert Rumble takes a look at two pivotal conflicts of the 20th Century, and how they were key in the development and evolution of SEAD. See these aircraft up close. Plan your visit to IWM Duxford: iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxfordFollow IWM on social media:twitter.com/I_W_Minstagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsfacebook.com/iwm.london
Who really won the WW2 jet race? Its complicated... Imperial War Museums 2024-05-01 | The Gloster Meteor was the first British Jet aircraft to enter squadron service. It was the culmination of Allied efforts to win a top-secret race that lasted the entire Second World War - the race for speed. As soldiers fought on battlefields across the world, British and German engineers went head-to-head in battle to build an engine that would change aerial warfare forever.In this episode of Duxford in Depth, IWM Project curator Robert Rumble dives into the history of the jet engine. Who led the British and German effort? What challenges did they overcome? And who really won the jet race?*Note* - The engine diagram shown at 4:33 is an axial flow turboshaft engine, not a turbojet engine. Explore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/collections/4578How has conflict has driven innovation in science and technology?: iwm.org.uk/research/research-projects/lloyds-register-foundationFind out more about the Gloster Meteor: iwm.org.uk/history/gloster-meteor-the-only-allied-jet-fighter-of-the-second-world-warFollow IWM on social media:twitter.com/I_W_Minstagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsfacebook.com/iwm.londonThumbnail image credits:Gloster Meteor T7 by Ronnie Macdonald / CC BY 2.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0Me 262 replica at Airpower11 MatthiasKabel / CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.enCreative Commons attributions:Strahlflugzeug Heinkel He 178 by Bundesarchiv, Bild 141-2505 / CC-BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.enCentrifugal Turbojet diagram original design by Emoscopes, Vectorization by Tachymètre / CC-BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.enAxial Turbojet diagram original design by Emoscopes, Vectorization byMilu92 / CC-BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.enHe 162 underground production by Bundesarchiv, Bild 141-2737 / CC-BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en
IWM Institute Annual Lecture 2024: Philippe Sands on War, Genocide and Other Crimes Imperial War Museums 2024-04-25 | Join us for a live-streamed lecture on ‘War, Genocide and Other Crimes’ by author, renowned human rights lawyer and UCL Law Professor Philippe Sands.Get to grips with the stories behind the headlines and feel empowered to understand how we can better prevent, resolve and redress global conflicts. This April, Sands will explore topics of justice, international law, human rights and conflict resolution in a year when tensions are flaring up around the world. We’ll consider conflicts including Ukraine, Sudan and Israel-Gaza. The IWM Institute Annual Lecture series invites the world’s prominent speakers to find solutions to the most pressing conflict-related issues of today. Previous speakers include former UK foreign secretary David Miliband and celebrated historian Professor Margaret MacMillan.Find out more about the IWM Institute: iwm.org.uk/iwm-institute
Why Japan lost the Battle of Midway Imperial War Museums 2024-04-17 | Has the balance of power ever changed so much in so little time than at the Battle of Midway? In the space of just 5 minutes, American dive bombers scored hits on three Japanese aircraft carriers, dramatically turning the tide of the war in the Pacific.But this pivotal moment was a product of more than chance. It was the culmination of decisions made not only in the heat of battle but in the preceding weeks and months. To truly grasp the significance of this critical juncture and how it happened, we have to go right back to the beginning of the pacific war.In this video, IWM curator Adrian Kerrison examines the timeline of events that lead to the Battle of Midway and the crucial decisions that doomed the Japanese to defeat.Explore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/collections/4508A short history of the Pacific War: iwm.org.uk/history/a-short-history-of-the-war-in-the-pacific-during-the-second-world-warWhat happened at Pearl Harbor?: iwm.org.uk/history/what-happened-at-pearl-harborA guide to Japan's role in WW2: iwm.org.uk/history/a-quick-guide-to-japans-role-in-the-second-world-warFollow IWM on social media:twitter.com/I_W_Minstagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsfacebook.com/iwm.london
The bloody battle for Italy (Full WW2 Documentary) Imperial War Museums 2024-04-03 | In 1943, the Allies began one of the most controversial epsiodes of the Second World War - The Italian Campaign. While the British claimed that Italy was the 'soft underbelly' of Europe, it turned out to be a 'tough old gut'. From the sunny shores of Sicily to the barren peaks of the Gustav Line, Allied soldiers faced dogged German and Italian resistance as they edged their way up the Italian Peninsula.In this video, we'll be taking an in-depth look at the Italian campaign. We'll explore the key moments and decisions that shaped the fighting and try to understand was it really worth it?This video is a supercut of a three part series previously posted to this channel.Explore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/3517 and film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/3540Follow IWM on social media:Twitter: twitter.com/I_W_MInstagram: instagram.com/imperialwarmuseums Facebook: facebook.com/iwm.londonBase map by freevectormaps.coArchive photos Wikimedia commons courtesy of:Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-316-1195-07 / Demmer / CC-BY-SA 3.0Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-579-1965-04A / Appe [Arppe] / CC-BY-SA 3.0Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-J15752 / Biedermann / CC-BY-SA 3.0Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-579-1957-19 / Girik / CC-BY-SA 3.0Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-567-1503B-09 / Toni Schneiders / CC-BY-SA 3.0Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-578-1931-03A / Haas / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Why is the War in Ukraine so deadly? Imperial War Museums 2024-03-20 | The scale of the war in Ukraine is staggering. For context, while the British Army is just 73,000 strong. According to US officials, Ukraine’s armed forces have already suffered more than 70,000 dead and 120,000 injured. So, what problems do Ukrainian medics face on the frontline? How are they tackling them? And what lessons should Western medics learn from the war in Ukraine?To find out, we spoke to two volunteer medics from the Ukrainian Hospitallers Medical Battalion, Brandon Mitchell and Iryna Knyzhnyk. They shared their experiences on the frontlines of the War in Ukraine.Creative Commons Attributions:Russian footage by Mil.ru - CC BY-SA 4.0 - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Ukrainian footage by armyinform.com.ua - CC BY-SA 4.0 - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Destructions in Selydove after missile attack by National Police of Ukraine - CC BY-SA 4.0 - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0PMN-4 anti-personnel landmines in Sumy Oblast by National Police of Ukraine - CC BY-SA 4.0 - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0War map based on ISW Interactive: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/36a7f6a6f5a9448496de641cf64bd375Key sources:economist.com/international/2023/08/04/what-ukraines-bloody-battlefield-is-teaching-medicsncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10344429theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/20/revealed-how-russia-deliberately-targeted-kherson-hospitalscnn.com/2023/02/21/europe/report-hospital-ukraine-attacks-russia-invasion-intl-dg/index.htmlrubryka.com/en/article/yak-obraty-turniket
Who actually won The Battle of Jutland? Imperial War Museums 2024-03-06 | The most important naval action seen during the First World War was, of course, the Battle of Jutland.The date was the 31st May 1916. A trap had been set by the Germans.Just off the coast of Jutland in Denmark, the largest nautical battle of the First World War was about to take place. The battle, involving 100,000 men and 250 ships, would last close to 2 days.But who threw the first punch? And did Britain actually win the fight?Find out more:How codebreaking developed during the First World War: youtu.be/5QHcS29d0H4?si=sd1sWyJg5YIx-5LNMore about Jack Cornwall: Jack Cornwell And The HMS Chester Gun | Imperial War Museums (iwm.org.uk)Boy (1st Class) John ‘Jack’ Travers Cornwell VC | Imperial War Museums (iwm.org.uk)More about the Battle of Jutland: Battle of Jutland Timeline | Imperial War Museums (iwm.org.uk)How did the First World War start? youtu.be/c7nUDLKKEBY?si=en2TwFfFr71HDZlRExplore these stories with a visit to an IWM site: iwm.org.ukThe First World War Retold: shop.iwm.org.uk/p/26674/The-First-World-War-RetoldOrder and license the HD clips used in this video on IWM Film’s website: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/collections/_e4q5lP4A film.iwmcollections.org.uk/collections/_e4q2n5EA film.iwmcollections.org.uk/collections/_zEw5AXmeFollow IWM on social media: Twitter: / i_w_mInstagram: / imperialwarmuseumsFacebook: / iwm.lon
How the Israel-Palestine conflict began | Part 2 Imperial War Museums 2024-02-21 | 1936, British Mandatory Palestine was in flames. In response to rising Jewish immigration and economic dominance, Arab Palestinians revolted against the British attacking military installations and Jewish settlements. The British were scrambling for an answer.In our last episode, we explored Britain’s conflicting promises made during the First World War and how it tried to resolve them. In this episode we’ll examine how the Second World War transformed the conflict in Mandate Palestine once again. Why did Britain change its mind about a Jewish homeland, how did a Zionist underground insurgency defeat the British and how were the borders of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank created?Explore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/collections/4211Photograph attributions:Israeli soldiers in battle with the Arab village of Sassa in the upper Galilee. Israeli Government Press Office. CC BY 3.0. creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en.Amin al Husseini meeting Heinrich Himmler. Bundesarchiv, Bild 101III-Alber-164-18A. Alber, Kurt. CC-BY-SA 3.0. creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en.Reference maps attributions:Map of Jewish settlements and roads in Palestine by the 1 December 1947. It's-is-not-a-genitive on Wikimedia. CC-BY-SA 3.0. creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en.Zones controlled by Yishuv by the 20 May 1948. It's-is-not-a-genitive on Wikimedia. CC-BY-SA 3.0. creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en.Follow IWM on social media:twitter.com/I_W_Minstagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsfacebook.com/iwm.london
The origins of the Israel-Palestine conflict | Part 1 Imperial War Museums 2024-02-07 | The Balfour Declaration was signed in 1917. It set out British support for the creation of a homeland for the Jewish people in Palestine. But when the Balfour declaration was signed the British had already promised Palestine to Arabs as an independent state and promised the French government that it would be an internationally administered zone – and even then, most of the land was still under Ottoman control.So why did Britain make these three conflicting promises? How did it try to resolve them? And how did Britain’s strategy in the Middle East help to cause a century of conflict?Lawrence of Arabia explained: iwm.org.uk/history/who-was-lawrence-of-arabiaExplore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/collections/4211Follow IWM on social media:twitter.com/I_W_Minstagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsfacebook.com/iwm.london
The Falklands War 1982 (Full Documentary) Imperial War Museums 2024-01-24 | The Falkland Islands have two names. To the people who live there and to Britain they are the Falkland Islands but to their closest neighbour across the sea Argentina and its people, they are Las Islas Malvinas. The debate over what to call the islands is a symbol of a much larger dispute which has raged for hundreds of years and continues to this day. On the Argentinian side a claim based on territorial integrity and a perceived historical injustice. And on the British side, a claim based on historical precedent and the right to self-determination. In April of 1982, that debate became a conflict. One which would take the lives of nearly 1,000 people. But for Argentina, it was never meant to be that way. In fact, when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands they believed that Britain wouldn't even respond.This video is a supercut of a five part series previously posted to this channel. A short history of the Falklands conflict: iwm.org.uk/history/a-short-history-of-the-falklands-warLicence the clips used in this film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/c/2184CC Attributions:HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT DSC by Henry Kellner. CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.enWashington, White House by Arian Zwegers. CC BY 2.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.enGovernment House in Stanley by John5199. CC BY 2.0creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0The Foreign & Commonwealth Office's main building in Whitehall by UK Government. OGL 2. nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/2 Map from Free Vector Maps: http://freevectormaps.comArgentina.gob.ar (Gobierno de Argentina), CC BY-SA 4.0 Skyhawk: flickr.com/people/30478243@N03 © Armada ArgentinaBomb disposal team - Photo courtesy of MCDOA Sound effects via ZapSplatMusic:Mount Pleasant images, Crown copyright, April 2022Margaret Thatcher images © University of Salford Press Office Landmine clearance photos via Safe Lane Global Scott Holmes Music - ConclusionKevin MacLeod - DecisionsSound effects via ZapSplat
How the 8th Air Force defeated the Luftwaffe Imperial War Museums 2024-01-10 | Sign up to World of Warships with our link for a free starter pack worth €25: wo.ws/3YW2PoXThe B-17 Flying Fortress was supposed to be a war winning weapon. But by the end of 1943 the American 8th Air Force flying them was at breaking point.German flak and fighters shot down B-17s in their hundreds, as US Strategic bombing doctrine came face to face with the realities of aerial warfare. Something had to change and change they did.Just one year later, the 8th Air Force were masters of the air over Europe having dealt a killing blow the German Luftwaffe. So how did they do it? In this video, IWM Curator Dr Hattie Hearn looks at the changes in leadership, tactics and technology that transformed the air war over Nazi occupied Europe.See these aicraft up close. Plan your visit to IWM Duxford: iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxfordDiscover the stories of the 8th Air Force: americanairmuseum.comExplore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/collections/_DEbW5lOwFollow IWM on social media:twitter.com/I_W_Minstagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsfacebook.com/iwm.london
Why this Bomb Group are getting their own TV show Imperial War Museums 2023-12-27 | The 100th Bomb Group is one of the most famous of the Second World War - earning the nickname 'The Bloody Hundredth'. In fact, the experiences of the 100th Bomb Group will be featured in the upcoming war drama Masters of the Air (2024). But where did their legend come from?The 100th was not statistically noteworthy. They won numerous awards, but other groups won more. They didn’t fly the most missions, drop the most bombs, or even suffer the most casualties. In this video, IWM Curator Dr Hattie Hearn examines the real history of 'The Bloody Hundredth'.Plan your visit to IWM Duxford: iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxfordExplore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/collections/4210Follow IWM on social media:twitter.com/I_W_Minstagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsfacebook.com/iwm.london
Hiding in plain sight: Photo-mapping Nazi Germany Imperial War Museums 2023-12-20 | Looks can be deceiving. It may not be apparent, on first inspection of this civilian aircraft, that this was one of Britain's first spy planes. In the years before the Second World War, this aircraft would have gone relatively unnoticed in the skies of Europe. The Lockheed Electra was a perfect camera platform. It could be fitted with cameras in the cabin and in the leading edge of the wing. And it meant that with its inconspicuous livery, it could fly around as much as an airliner would have done in Europe at the time. And while flying over Germany and the rest of Europe, it was able to take photographs.There are many myths and legends that have built up around this aircraft, but a name that will always be associated with this particular Lockheed 12 is Sidney Cotton. But what exactly was Sidney Cotton’s involvement with Second World War aerial reconnaissance and did he really use this aircraft to take secret photos, under the noses of Nazi Germany? Plan your visit to IWM Duxford: iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford Is this the deadliest bomber in history? Find out about the B29 - The aircraft that bombed Hiroshima & Nagasaki: youtu.be/_BKbMQTzaeU?si=5ENRGdVKfFkL_20M Explore and license the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/collections/_64Y3LQOD Follow IWM on social media:twitter.com/I_W_Minstagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsfacebook.com/iwm.london
Why Hitler invaded the Soviet Union Imperial War Museums 2023-12-13 | Sign up to World of Warships with our link for a free starter pack worth €25: wo.ws/3YW2PoXIn the summer of 1941 Adolf Hitler launched Operation Barbarossa, his invasion of the Soviet Union. Often described as an epic strategic blunder, the invasion was supposed to reach Moscow in weeks. Instead, four years later, Soviet troops would take Berlin and destroy Nazi Germany.But was the move really a mistake? In this video we’ll examine why, in the mind of Hitler at least, Germany had to invade the USSR. And how Hitler’s genocidal enterprise in the east might have claimed the lives of many millions more.*NOTES* The graph at 3:23 should read 'United Kingdom' rather than 'British Empire'.The map at 10:04 should include Norway as occupied.Find out more about the Operation Barbarossa: iwm.org.uk/history/what-was-operation-barbarossaWhy Operation Barbarossa Failed: iwm.org.uk/history/operation-barbarossa-and-germanys-failure-in-the-soviet-unionExplore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/collections/4209Follow IWM on social media:twitter.com/I_W_Minstagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsfacebook.com/iwm.londonAttributions:Herbert Backe / Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-J02034 / CC-BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en
The Spitfires most feared opponent Imperial War Museums 2023-11-29 | If you mentioned BMW to most people, they think of a car. They don't think of something with an engine of 1,800 horsepower powering one of the deadliest fighters of the Second World War. The Focke-Wulf 190.Kurt Tank's design of the Focke-Wulf 190 was hunched like a pitbull. Very strong in design. Tapered wing edges. It could roll very fast. It could take a lot of punishment. And the performance was electrifying.In this video, IWM Duxford's Graham Rodgers explored the history of Germany's 'Butcher Bird'.Plan your visit to IWM Duxford: iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxfordExplore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/collections/4020War in the Air book: shop.iwm.org.uk/p/26905/War-In-The-Air---The-Second-World-War-in-ColourKurt Tank images:Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-L18396 / CC-BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.enBundesarchiv, Bild 101I-676-7975A-31 / CC-BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.enBundesarchiv, Bild 101I-676-7975A-23 / CC-BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.enBundesarchiv, Bild 101I-676-7975A-28 / CC-BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.enFollow IWM on social media:twitter.com/I_W_Minstagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsfacebook.com/iwm.london
How to cripple an enemy Air Force | Flying Tornados in the Gulf War Imperial War Museums 2023-11-22 | Mal Craghill was the youngest Tornado Navigator of the Gulf War, and dropped the last RAF bomb of the war. He tells us about his experiences flying the Tornado GR-1 on cross-border combat missions into Iraq. Targeting airfields, these missions played a key role in crippling the Iraqi Air Force during Desert Storm. Find out more about the Gulf War: iwm.org.uk/history/what-was-the-gulf-warSee these aircraft up close. Plan your visit to IWM Duxford: iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxfordExplore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/collections/_9v4epXmwFollow IWM on social media:twitter.com/I_W_Minstagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsfacebook.com/iwm.london
How to win a war in 100 hours Imperial War Museums 2023-11-08 | Sign up to World of Warships with our link for a free starter pack worth €25: wo.ws/3YW2PoXIn 1991 the Persian Gulf was the site of a new kind of war. With the latest warfighting technology at their disposal, a US led coalition dismantled the world’s 4th largest army within a matter of days. A feat that, if recent wars are anything to go by, was harder than it looks. So how did they do it?In this video, IWM curator Megan Joyce takes an in depth look at one history's most one-sided conflicts.Find out more about the Gulf War: iwm.org.uk/history/what-was-the-gulf-warSee these aicraft up close. Plan your visit to IWM Duxford: iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxfordExplore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/collections/_DEbW5lOwFollow IWM on social media:twitter.com/I_W_Minstagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsfacebook.com/iwm.londonAttributions:Rubble from an Iraqi scud missile hit by Nathan Alpert, Government Press Office (Israel). CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.enThe United Nations Security Council Chamber in New York by Patrick Gruban. CC BY-SA 2.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0Scud-Launcher outline based on image by Wo st 01. CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en
Why did Spitfires change their guns? Ft. Jonathan Ferguson Imperial War Museums 2023-10-25 | This is one of Imperial War Museums' most prized possessions. A genuine, airworthy, combat-veteran Spitfire Mk 1. Early Spitfires were initially equipped with eight machine guns. They fired the 303-rifle calibre machine gun round. But much like the Spitfire through its development, not only did it gain things like bigger engines, but also a larger armament. In the case of the 20mm cannon and the .5-inch machine gun. The story of the Spitfire's armament development is complicated and can even be considered controversial to this day. To help us tell that story we've brought in Jonathan Ferguson of Royal Armouries who's going to help us take an in-depth look at the main weapons of the Spitfire. To hear more from Jonathan Ferguson, be sure to subscribe to @RoyalArmouries YouTube channel: youtube.com/@RoyalArmouries/featuredFancy taking the pilot’s seat? Book a private talk and unique ‘In the Cockpit’ experience at IWM Duxford to sit at the controls of an airworthy combat veteran Spitfire Mk 1: bit.ly/3rPQe84See the Hispano cannon in person at the National Museum of Arms and Armour in Leeds: royalarmouries.orgLicense the footage used in this film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/3959Discover our Spitfire gifts: shop.iwm.org.uk/c-spitfire-gifts-and-memorabiliaFollow IWM on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/I_W_M Instagram: instagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsFacebook: facebook.com/iwm.london
How a fake Army fooled Hitler Imperial War Museums 2023-10-19 | On Tuesday the 6th of June, 1944, nearly 160,000 allied soldiers landed along a 50-mile stretch of coast in Normandy. One of the most famous events of the Second World War; D-Day marked the beginning of the end for the Nazi Occupation of western Europe. But at the time, German generals in charge of defending the beaches didn’t believe the full scale Allied invasion of France had even begun. Thanks to a series of deception efforts undertaken by the Allies, the bulk of Germany’s defensive forces were 150 miles away from Normandy when the landings were taking place.Visit Spies, Lies and Deception at IWM London. Plan your visit: iwm.org.uk/events/spies-lies-and-deception Explore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/_rVma8eOQ Follow IWM on social media:twitter.com/I_W_Minstagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsfacebook.com/iwm.londonThumbnail Image Attribution: Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-H1216-0500-002 / CC-BY-SA 3.0
History’s deadliest bomber | B-29 Superfortress Imperial War Museums 2023-10-14 | With the dubious honour of being history’s deadliest bomber and the only aircraft to drop a nuclear weapon in combat, the B-29 Superfortress is arguably the most important, and controversial, aircraft in human history. Its story is one of ground-breaking innovation, human daring, unimaginable destruction, and decisions that would dictate the course of the twentieth century. This is the B-29 Superfortress.Content Warning: distressing accounts of bombings and POW camps from survivors. Read more about Britain’s history of nuclear weapons here: iwm.org.uk/history/the-history-of-britains-nuclear-weapons Would you push the nuclear button? iwm.org.uk/history/would-you-push-the-nuclear-button See our B-29 up close, visit IWM Duxford. Plan your visit:iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxfordExplore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/_Bm29vdOqThis video also contains archive material from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. Follow IWM on social media: twitter.com/I_W_M instagram.com/imperialwarmuseums Facebook: facebook.com/iwm.london
The V2 rocket was pointless, and heres why Imperial War Museums 2023-09-20 | In September 1944, Germany launched its brand-new wonder weapon for the first time – the V2. Designed to destroy Allied morale the so-called vengeance weapon was an awesome technological achievement. Hitler genuinely believed it could turn the war back in his favour. Instead, the first V2 crashed soon after liftoff - a preview of things to come.The V2 was expensive, resource intensive and had little strategic value. Few weapons better exemplify Germanys fixation with the wonder weapon, a fictional magic bullet for a war they had already lost. In this video, IWM's Ian Kikuchi takes a closer look at the V2, how it worked, why it was built and what impact it had on the Second World War. With grateful thanks to Eric Horne, for his kind donation, and to Colin Welch of Research Resource Archaeology, for his expertise and assistance.Find out more about Hitler's vengeance weapons: iwm.org.uk/history/the-terrifying-german-revenge-weapons-of-the-second-world-warFind out more about the V1 Flying Bomb: iwm.org.uk/history/the-v1-flying-bomb-hitlers-vengeance-weaponView and licence the archive films used in this video here: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/_PmyALemxFollow IWM on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/I_W_M Instagram: instagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsFacebook: facebook.com/iwm.londonAttributions:Wernher von Braun at Peenemünde. Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-1978-Anh.023-02. CC-BY-SA 3.0. creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.enWernher von Braun at Peenemünde. Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-1978-Anh.024-03. CC-BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en
The most produced Bomber in history had a bad reputation | B-24 Liberator Imperial War Museums 2023-09-06 | At the start of 1939, the United States Army Air Corps wanted more of its favourite aircraft, the B-17 Flying Fortress. Consolidated took one look at the B-17 and decided they could do better. They responded with a proposal for a new aircraft which could fly faster, further, higher, and carry more bombs. The United States Army Air Corps could hardly refuse, and the prototype took flight in December 1939. Named for the role it was intended to play in the war to come, the aircraft would play a key role in America’s bombing effort around the world and become the most produced American military aircraft of all time. The B-24 Liberator.Visit IWM Duxford: https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-dux...View and licence the archive film clips used in this video on IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/_pmPne2EQ B-24 plan drawings courtesy of: Kaboldy, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsFOTO:FORTEPAN / Erky-Nagy Tibor
Why British pilots loved the F-4 Phantom Imperial War Museums 2023-08-24 | In 1958, McDonald Aircraft Corporation delivered a prototype, twin engine, supersonic, all-weather, long range fighter - a design the US Navy could not ignore. The F-4 Phantom was designed for a new age of warfare. Rather than nimble aerial dogfighting, the F-4 would use advances in radar and missile technology to engage enemy aircraft from beyond visual range. It would go on to become the most produced American jet fighter in history and a cold war icon. It would also later end up in British service. Please note - at 2.33 mins into the video, the presenter references an F-86 Super Sabre. The footage shows an F-100 Super Sabre. At 1:58 there is a brief shot of an F15 cockpit. Watch another video in this series, on the Hawker Hunter aircraft, here:youtu.be/IwMhaXajdNM To see the Phantom F-4 up close, visit IWM Duxford. Plan your visit:iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford Explore and license the film clips used in this video from IWM Film:film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/_wm13a5Ep This video contains photos courtesy of the following individuals and organisations:Gojanovic123456789en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-21#/media/File:Croatian_MiG-21_(cropped).jpgGerman Federal Archiveen.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_141-1898,_Peenem%C3%BCnde,_Start_Fla-Rakete_%22Wasserfall%22.jpg Tourbilloncommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SA-2_Guideline.JPGThis video also contains archive material from the U.S. Department of Defence (DoD). The appearance of U.S. Department of Defence (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.Follow IWM on social media: twitter.com/I_W_Minstagram.com/imperialwarmuseums facebook.com/iwm.london
The TSR-2 could do almost anything. Why was it cancelled? Imperial War Museums 2023-08-09 | In 1951, Britain introduced the English Electric Canberra. Designed to operate at high level, it would go onto become the RAF's longest serving machine. It was an incredibly efficient aircraft, but by the late 1950s everything changed. The Soviet Union brought into service brand new surface-to-air missiles and overnight the Canberra was vulnerable. Now the British government needed a new aircraft, one that could beat this threat and fly under the radar. It was a huge ask for the technology of the time, but had it been successful the aircraft itself would have been a world beater. In this episode of Duxford in Depth, Liam Shaw takes a detailed look at the aircraft that never was, the BAC TSR-2.Visit IWM Duxford: iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxfordView and licence the archive film clips used in this video on IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/3735Follow IWM on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/I_W_M Instagram: instagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsFacebook: facebook.com/iwm.london
Why the Allies destroyed this ancient monastery | Italy 1944 Imperial War Museums 2023-07-28 | By October 1943, the Allies were facing an ugly truth. Invading Italy was seen as a chance for a quick victory. But Albert Kesselring’s German forces had put an end to that. They had exacted a heavy toll for the beachhead at Salerno, before falling back to a series of fortified lines across central Italy. Now, before them stood the most formidable challenge yet and more bloody fighting.In this final episode of our series sponsored by Company of Heroes 3, we’ll explore the battles for Monte Cassino, the landings at Anzio and the capture of Rome. All to understand whether the entire campaign was worth it at all. This video is sponsored by Company of Heroes 3: companyofheroes.com/enExplore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: https://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/my...Follow IWM on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/I_W_M Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imperialwar...Facebook: facebook.com/iwm.londonBase map by freevectormaps.comArchive photos Wikimedia commons courtesy of:Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-316-1195-07 / Demmer / CC-BY-SA 3.0Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-579-1965-04A / Appe [Arppe] / CC-BY-SA 3.0Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-J15752 / Biedermann / CC-BY-SA 3.0Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-579-1957-19 / Girik / CC-BY-SA 3.0Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-567-1503B-09 / Toni Schneiders / CC-BY-SA 3.0Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-578-1931-03A / Haas / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Was peace with Hitler ever possible? Imperial War Museums 2023-07-13 | Hitler and the Nazi party came to power in 1933. He soon crushed all political opposition and made himself dictator. Europe’s leaders were desperate to avoid war. But were attempts to appease Hitler the right thing to do?Visit the Churchill War Rooms and glimpse what life would have been like for staff working there during the Second World War?Plan your visit: iwm.org.uk/visits/churchill-war-rooms Explore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/_wm13owEpFollow IWM on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/I_W_M Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imperialwar... Facebook: facebook.com/iwm.london
Why the invasion of Italy almost failed Imperial War Museums 2023-06-28 | In July of 1943, the Allies had a problem. More than two weeks into the battle for Sicily, the Allied leaders had failed to decide what would happen next. They were locked in a fierce debate. The Americans wanted to take the most direct route into the Third Reich via France. While the British wanted more time to build their forces. But on the 25th of July 1943, everything changed. The Fascist Grand Council deposed the Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini and his successor began secret peace negotiations with the Allies. Now, the Allies planned to take advantage of the coup and knock Italy out of the war with an invasion of the Italian mainland.The invasion was supposed to be a simple one. But the reality was very different. In this second episode of our Italian Campaign series, sponsored by Company of Heroes 3, we'll examine the Allied invasion of Italy and how perilously close it came to catastrophe. This video is sponsored by Company of Heroes 3: companyofheroes.com/enExplore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/3540Follow IWM on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/I_W_M Instagram: instagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsFacebook: facebook.com/iwm.londonBase map by freevectormaps.comThumbnail base map by Alphathon via Wikimedia commons. CC-BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en
The reason kamikaze failed Imperial War Museums 2023-06-07 | In the later stages of the Second World War in the Pacific, Japan was desperate. They turned to a new tactic - kamikaze. Although suicide attacks had been used before, the kamikaze campaign trained attack squadrons specifically for this purpose, and brought into combat a new aircraft - the Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka - the only rocket-powered suicide aircraft. They first saw action at the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, where extensive damage was done to the Allied fleet. But overall, how effective were these aircraft and this campaign? View and licence the archive films used in this video here: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/3506Follow IWM on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/I_W_M Instagram: instagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsFacebook: facebook.com/iwm.london
This forgotten amphibious assault was BIGGER than D-Day Imperial War Museums 2023-05-30 | While the Battle for North Africa was raging on in early 1943, Allied leaders were meeting in Casablanca to decide on their next target. Their decision would result in one of the most contentious episodes of the Second World War – the Italian Campaign. Despite Churchill's claims, there would be no easy victory. Instead, the fighting would be fierce and bloody, with places like Salerno, Anzio and Monte Cassino going down in history as some of the toughest battles of the War.In this new three-part series, sponsored by Company of Heroes 3, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at the Italian campaign. From the invasion of Sicily to the capture of Rome, we’ll explore the key moments and decisions that shaped the fighting and try to understand was it really worth it? This video is sponsored by Company of Heroes 3: companyofheroes.com/enExplore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/3517 and film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/3540Follow IWM on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/I_W_M Instagram: instagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsFacebook: facebook.com/iwm.londonBase map by freevectormaps.com
Why almost all of Denmarks Jews survived the Holocaust Imperial War Museums 2023-05-17 | It was the evening of October 1st, 1943, when German Police and members of the Danish SS descended on Copenhagen with orders to round up and deport Denmark’s Jewish population. It was the night of the Jewish New Year - Rosh HaShanah - and the German Police were expecting to find Jewish families at home celebrating. What they found instead was empty house after empty house. Someone had tipped off the Jewish community...By the end of the war, over 95% of Denmark's nearly eight thousand Jews would escape Denmark, and avoid becoming victims of the Holocaust. This survival rate is extraordinary, unfortunately, this was not the case across the rest of Nazi-occupied Europe.To find out why, we need to go back to 1940. Visit the Holocaust Galleries at IWM London: iwm.org.uk/events/the-holocaust-galleries View and licence some of the archive film clips used in this video on IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/_B4XDqY4d Credits:USHMM: RG-60.0345; German occupation of Denmark; Accessed at United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of BundesarchivA large group of Dutch Jews who have just arrived in Theresienstadt are herded into one of the entrances to the camp. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Photo Archives # 20255. Copyright of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Ivan Vojtech Fric.Prewar portrait of a Danish couple, their daughter and her two Jewish friends in prewar Denmark. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Photo Archives # 44560. Copyright of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Dr. Dov KischinovskyA Jewish refugee from Denmark, who was ferried to Sweden during the Danish rescue operation in October 1943, works at his own barbershop in Sweden. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Photo Archives # 59695. Copyright of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Esther Diament NussbaumA Jewish mother and her son pose in a park in Copenhagen. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Photo Archives # 25279. Copyright of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Herbert KrogmanFive Danish Jews pose outside a home in Copenhagen. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Photo Archives # 75024. Copyright of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Hetty KleinA young Jewish boy rides in a toy car on a sidewalk in Copenhagen. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Photo Archives # 25261. Copyright of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Herbert KrogmanWedding party in Denmark attended by many Jewish religious leaders. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Photo Archives # 84541. Copyright of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Leo GoldbergerA Jewish couple from Denmark who was ferried to safety in Sweden poses with the Swedish family who hosted them in the backyard of their home in Landskrona. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Photo Archives # 59715. Copyright of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Birthe TrommerStudents and teachers in a school for Danish refugees in Goteborg, Sweden. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Photo Archives # 01216. Copyright of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Leo GoldbergerA Jewish family from Denmark who was ferried to safety in Sweden, has Christmas dinner at the home a Swedish family in Landskrona. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Photo Archives # 59716. Copyright of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Birthe TrommerDanish fishermen (foreground) ferry a boatload of fugitives across a narrow sound to neutral Sweden. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Photo Archives # 70737. Copyright of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Frihedsmuseet, CopenhagenWikimedia Commons:commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Danish_jews_arrive_in_Sweden.jpgcommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:B%C3%A5d_med_j%C3%B8der_p%C3%A5_vej_fra_Falster_til_Ystad_i_Sverige_(5709133933)_(2).jpgcommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Overrabiner_Friediger_i_synagoen_(6045730410)_(2).jpgcommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marcus_Melchior.jpgcommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mystic_Seaport_Gerda_III.JPGcommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:WP_Georg_Ferdinand_Duckwitz.jpgcommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_B_145_Bild-F008672-0027,_Ausw%C3%A4rtiges_Amt,_Rabbiner_aus_USA.jpgcommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Werner_Best_1942.jpgcommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christian_X_of_Denmark_on_horse_at_Gyldenl%C3%B8vesgade.jpgcommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_B_145_Bild-F008672-0032,_Ausw%C3%A4rtiges_Amt,_Rabbiner_aus_USA.jpg
How do you end a 30-year war? Imperial War Museums 2023-05-10 | The Good Friday Agreement is one the most celebrated peace deals ever signed. In April of 1998, its 34 pages helped put an end to a 30-year conflict that killed over 3,500 people. The deal was a major achievement, but the road to its signing was an arduous one. The 70s, 80s and 90s had seen a number of peace talks and negotiations , but thanks to extremists on both sides these had always broken down. The challenge was maintaining a Paramilitary ceasefire long enough for political talks to bear fruit. Ending a conflict as bitter as this one, would not be easy.In the last episode we examined how all sides of the conflict had become exhausted by the violence. Now, in this final episode of our Troubles series we’ll explain the timeline of events that lead to Good Friday, how the deal worked and why Northern Ireland’s peace remains fragile to this day.Watch the rest of our Troubles series:Episode 1 - Origins: youtu.be/IHLYeBtGvOg Episode 2 - Escalation: youtu.be/fGo17SIvMRMEpisode 3 - Division: youtu.be/NNmcRoNMC5EEpisode 4 - Peace: youtu.be/F5RlWxirYYMBehind the scenes of our exhibition - youtu.be/l5szVTilBEoIIWM's free exhibition 'Northern Ireland: Living with the Troubles' opens at IWM North on 22 March 2024. Plan your visit: iwm.org.uk/events/northern-ireland-living-with-the-troubles-iwm-northExplore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/3353Follow IWM on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/I_W_M Instagram: instagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsFacebook: facebook.com/iwm.londonCC Attributions:The Belfast Agreement by Northern Ireland Office under OGLv3.0 – nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3The St Andrews Agreement by Northern Ireland Office under OGLv3.0 –nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3Mo Mowlam 1997 by Northern Ireland Office under OGLv3.0 – nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3Bertie Ahern in 1997 by Mark Renders / European CommunitiesStormont Building by Wknight94 under CC BY SA 3.0 – creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley by Scottish Government under CC BY SA 2.0 – creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.01997 UK Election by Dereck Camacho under CC BY SA 4.0 - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Northern Ireland Forum Election results by Elector Factor under CC BY SA 4.0 - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.01998 Election results by Elector Factor under CC BY SA 4.0 - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.02003 Election results by Elector Factor under CC BY SA 4.0 – creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.02007 Election results by Elector Factor under CC BY SA 4.0 – creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0UK and Ireland maps by FreeVectorMaps.com - freevectormaps.com
Living through the Troubles in Northern Ireland Imperial War Museums 2023-05-03 | For thirty years, the citizens of Northern Ireland lived through the Troubles. Many were born into the conflict, and never knew anything else. By the 1980s, the situation was getting worse not better, and violence was escalating. With devastating attacks such as the Remembrance Sunday bombing in 1987 and killings at two funerals in 1988, public weariness of the conflict drove forward peace talks. Gerry Adams and John Hume began to meet in secret and by the early 1990s, it appeared that peace might be within reach. In the third episode of our series on the Troubles, we look at what was it like to live through this conflict, and – just as the situation seemed impossible – how the two sides finally came together for negotiations. Watch the rest of our Troubles series:Episode 1 - Origins: youtu.be/IHLYeBtGvOg Episode 2 - Escalation: youtu.be/fGo17SIvMRMEpisode 3 - Division: youtu.be/NNmcRoNMC5EEpisode 4 - Peace: youtu.be/F5RlWxirYYMBehind the scenes of our exhibition - youtu.be/l5szVTilBEoIWM's free exhibition 'Northern Ireland: Living with the Troubles' opens at IWM North on 22 March 2024. Plan your visit: iwm.org.uk/events/northern-ireland-living-with-the-troubles-iwm-northExplore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/3353Follow IWM on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/I_W_M Instagram: instagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsFacebook: facebook.com/iwm.londonImage CreditsJohn Hume via John Mathew Smith/𝒲.Gerry Adams and John Hume via Belfast TelegraphGerry Adams image via Sinn FéinGerry Adams, Albert Reynolds and John Hume via Independent.ie Ireland Unfree Mural via GuinnogFrom Conflict to Peace Mural via ManfredHughLondonderry Mural via KtomaNo Surrender Mural via Fribbler
How the Troubles became a bloody war Imperial War Museums 2023-04-26 | 1972 was the bloodiest year of the Troubles. But as the violence reached the new heights, all sides in the conflict were beginning to change. By the mid-1980s the British Government would try to step away, the Provisional IRA would enter politics and Loyalist paramilitaries would begin to rise. In our last episode we explored the origins of the conflict. Now, we explore the deadliest decade of the Troubles and the events that would change the conflict entirely. Watch the rest of our Troubles series:Episode 1 - Origins: youtu.be/IHLYeBtGvOg Episode 2 - Escalation: youtu.be/fGo17SIvMRMEpisode 3 - Division: youtu.be/NNmcRoNMC5EEpisode 4 - Peace: youtu.be/F5RlWxirYYMBehind the scenes of our exhibition - youtu.be/l5szVTilBEoIWM's free exhibition 'Northern Ireland: Living with the Troubles' opens at IWM North on 22 March 2024. Plan your visit: iwm.org.uk/events/northern-ireland-living-with-the-troubles-iwm-northExplore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/3353Follow IWM on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/I_W_M Instagram: instagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsFacebook: facebook.com/iwm.london
Why the Troubles started in Northern Ireland Imperial War Museums 2023-04-19 | The complicated history of Northern Ireland is hotly contested. The bloody 30-year conflict known as the Troubles caused thousands of deaths, with deep divisions across Northern Ireland, and the situation remains highly divisive to this day. This four-part series will examine the entire history of the Troubles, from the causes of the conflict to the long and difficult peace negotiations. In this first episode, we take an in depth look at the origin of the Troubles. Though the conflict began in earnest in 1969, the divisions that caused it can be traced back centuries. Watch the rest of our Troubles series:Episode 1 - Origins: youtu.be/IHLYeBtGvOg Episode 2 - Escalation: youtu.be/fGo17SIvMRMEpisode 3 - Division: youtu.be/NNmcRoNMC5EEpisode 4 - Peace: youtu.be/F5RlWxirYYMBehind the scenes of our exhibition - youtu.be/l5szVTilBEoIWM's free exhibition 'Northern Ireland: Living with the Troubles' opens at IWM North on 22 March 2024. Plan your visit: iwm.org.uk/events/northern-ireland-living-with-the-troubles-iwm-northExplore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/3353Follow IWM on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/I_W_M Instagram: instagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsFacebook: facebook.com/iwm.london
Why did US pilots love the Thunderbolt so much? Imperial War Museums 2023-04-05 | The P-47 Thunderbolt is one of the most recognisable US fighter planes from the Second World War. After the United States joined the war, pilots from the US Army Air Force were sent to Britain to aid in the war effort, along with their trusty Thunderbolts. Used in every major theatre of the war, the Thunderbolt was loved by its pilots - and feared by its enemies - for its deadly combination of high firepower and bomb-carrying capabilities. Nicknamed the 'Jug', the P-47 would destroy over 7,000 enemy aircraft during the war.In this video, our expert Graham Rodgers walks us through the history and technical aspects of this iconic aircraft.Visit IWM Duxford: iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxfordView and licence the archive film clips used in this video on IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/_WO3GKnODWar in the Air book: shop.iwm.org.uk/p/26905/War-In-The-Air---The-Second-World-War-in-Colour
The only Allied jet fighter of WW2 | Gloster Meteor Imperial War Museums 2023-03-29 | The Gloster Meteor was the RAF’s first jet fighter, bringing Britain into the Jet Age. At the same time, engineers of the German Luftwaffe had been working on developing their own operational jet fighter, and the Messerschmitt Me 262 entered service a few months before the Meteor. However, these early jets were relatively underpowered, and while the technology would launch aircraft development into a new era, their impact in the Second World War was limited – partly because of how guarded the technology was. Instead, the Meteor found great use as a test aircraft and in the export market after 1945, and saw active service once again in the early 1950s in the Korean War – this time in the hands of the Royal Australian Air Force. In this video, our expert Liam Shaw takes us around the details of the Gloster Meteor and its pioneering history. Visit IWM Duxford: iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxfordView and licence the archive film clips used in this video on IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/_2mxLJMmx Credits:Gloster Meteor F.8 Prone Pilot via Alan Wilson on Flickr616 Squadron Meteor via RuthASNorth American F-86F Sabre via D. Miller on Flickr
Two years in to Russias 10-day war Imperial War Museums 2023-03-15 | It’s been over a year since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A year of pain, destruction and bloodshed – Hundreds of thousands killed and millions more displaced from their homes. But it wasn’t supposed to be like this. According to a research by the think tank RUSI, when Vladimir Putin began his invasion, he expected to take control of Ukraine within 10 days. So what went wrong? Why did his plan fail? And how close did he come to succeeding?To find out, we spoke to Ed Arnold, Research Fellow, European Security at RUSI, to uncover what went wrong for Russia during those crucial first 10 days of the conflict. *Notes* - Unit movements are illustrative'Ukraine: Photographs from the Front Line' is now open at IWM London. Plan your free visit: iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-london-ukraine-exhibitionSOURCESRUSI study on the early phases of the War in Ukraine - rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/special-resources/preliminary-lessons-conventional-warfighting-russias-invasion-ukraine-february-july-2022ISW Interactive time-lapse of Russia's war in Ukraine - storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/733fe90805894bfc8562d90b106aa895Follow IWM on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/I_W_M Instagram: instagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsFacebook: facebook.com/iwm.londonCREDITSRussian military footage by Mil.ru - CC BY-SA 4.0 - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Kremlin footage by Kremlin.ru - CC BY-SA 4.0 - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Ukrainian footage by Armyinform.com.ua - CC BY-SA 4.0 - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Volodymyr Zelenskyy at COP 26 by President.gov.ua - CC BY-SA 4.0 - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Vladimir Putin photograph by Kremlin.ru - CC BY-SA 4.0 - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Location map of Ukraine by NordNordWest. CC BY-SA 3.0. creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.enMaps by freevectormaps.com
Germany planned for a short war. What went wrong? Imperial War Museums 2023-03-08 | When the First World War broke out, Germany had a massive problem. The alliance between France and Russia left them totally surrounded, with only Austria Hungary on their side. Outnumbered, Germany's chances in a long war were slim. And yet the German Army of 1914 was still confident of victory. In August, they launched a huge enveloping attack through Belgium, smashing the Allied forces in battle after battle, and Germany seemed to be on the brink of victory. But just as Paris hoved into view, the tide of the battle, and arguably the whole war, changed. French and British forces counterattacked at the Battle of the Marne and forced the Germans back. Leaving their plan for a short war in tatters. So, what went wrong? Why did the German plan fail? And how close did it come to succeeding? Explore these stories with a visit to an IWM site: iwm.org.ukOrder and license the HD clips used in this video on IWM Film’s website:film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/3252Follow IWM on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/I_W_M Instagram: instagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsFacebook: facebook.com/iwm.london'War Map of Europe' Courtesy of University of Illinois Library.Bataille de la Marne - Intitulée Route de Varredes by Antoine Vasse Nicolas. (CC BY 2.0). creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.enBataille de la Marne, Combat D'Etrepilly - canon de 75 mm modèle 1897 tirant sur une ferme occupée par les Allemand by Antoine Vasse Nicolas. (CC BY 2.0). creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en Lee Enfield SMLE n°1 MKIII firing by Antoine Vasse Nicolas. (CC BY 2.0). creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.enBataille de la Marne - Attente avant la charge en plaine de Chaintrix by Antoine Vasse Nicolas. (CC BY 2.0). creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.enBataille de la Marne - Septembre 1914, Plateau d'Etrepilly aux abords du cimetière-charge à la baionnette by Antoine Vasse Nicolas. (CC BY 2.0). creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.enBataille de la Marne , Combat D'Etrepilly, Artillerie de Campagne en position à l'entrée du village by Antoine Vasse Nicolas. (CC BY 2.0). creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.enEn face du village d'Ambleny, un pont de bateaux avait été, pendant la nuit, établi par le Génie by Antoine Vasse Nicolas. (CC BY 2.0). creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en
Why Russia took Crimea first Imperial War Museums 2023-02-22 | The war in Ukraine began nine years before Putin's invasion in 2022. In late February 2014, armed soldiers in uniforms without insignia began to occupy Crimea. Despite their Russian weapons and equipment, Russia denied involvement. Just two months after their appearance, Putin declared Crimea was now part of Russia. It marked the start of the Russo-Ukrainian War. So what led to the annexation of Crimea in 2014? And why does the Crimean Peninsula continue to be a crucial sticking point in negotiations in 2023? One year on from the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, we talk to Research Fellow Emily Ferris from RUSI about the origins of the Russo-Ukrainian War and how it’s developed over the past nine years, as well as to photojournalist Anastasia Taylor-Lind who was working in Ukraine between 2014 and 2022. Anastasia Taylor-Lind's photography display 'Ukraine: Photographs from the Front Line' is now open at IWM London. Plan your free visit: iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-london-ukraine-exhibitionFollow IWM on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/I_W_M Instagram: instagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsFacebook: facebook.com/iwm.londonCREDITSPhotos of the ‘Little Green Men’ in Crimea in 2014 © Ilya Varlamov Crimean Tatars: www.memory.gov.uaPhotos of Ukraine’s Independence 1991 © ukrinform.net Photo of the H. Pshenychnoy Center for the Development of Social Sciences and Humanities.Photo of Yanukovych © ВАДИМ ЧУПРИНАPhoto of G7 meeting 2014: Crown copyright. Photographer: Arron HoareVideo footage of the March 2014 Crimean referendum voting polls via YT Юрий Дейнека / Yuri DeinekaMinsk Agreement meeting AFP PHOTO / PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / POOL / MYKOLA LAZARENKOMerkel and Putin at the 70th anniversary of D-Day via Kremlin.ruAsia-Europe (ASEM) Summit meeting of the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France, October 2014 via Kremlin.ruAngela Merkel, Vladimir Putin, François Hollande at the Kremlin via Kremlin.ruWar tanks of pro-Russian separatists on February 23, 2022 heading for the Donbass-Ukraine border via Gennadiy Dubovoy President Zelenskiy at the ballot box 2019 via Фото Миколи Лазаренка / The Presidential Office of Ukraine.Volodymyr Zelensky 2019 presidential inauguration via Mykhaylo Markiv / The Presidential Administration of UkraineA Russia-backed rebel armored fighting vehicles convoy near Donetsk via Mstyslav ChernovBattalion "Donbas" in Donetsk region via ЛіонкінгProtests in Donetsk © Andrew Butko. (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Butko) Zelensky, Merkel, Macron, Putin in talks 2019 via www.kremlin.ruParticipants of the First Summit of the Crimean Platform via ОПУCrimean Platform photos via the website of the President of UkraineLocation map of Ukraine by NordNordWest. CC BY-SA 3.0. creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.enMaps by freevectormaps.com
The Battle of Stalingrad was doomed from the start, and heres why Imperial War Museums 2023-02-15 | 1941 was a disaster for Nazi Germany. After invading the Soviet Union in June, they had expected to defeat the Red Army in 6 weeks. But by December, German forces had been thrown back by the Soviet winter counter-offensive. And there were even bigger problems. Germany had previously relied on the Soviets themselves for supplies of raw materials. But now, at war with their former ally, those supplies were running short.Worst of all however, in December of 1941 the United States entered the war of the Allies side. Above all, Hitler feared a war on two fronts, particularly against the industrial power of the United States. His window of opportunity to win the war was closing fast. For Hitler the extensive oilfields of the southern Caucasus were the key to victory, without them the war could not be won.The campaign to capture that oil would culminate in the bloodiest battle of the Second World War, the Battle of Stalingrad. But although it is seen by many as the turning point of the entire war, the outcome of the battle may have been decided well before the Germans even reached the city.Find out more:Watch more Second World War stories: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLolzHiCNNbO_cFlnAjPpoTGUiPCnjcx9AEverything you need to know about the battle: iwm.org.uk/history/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-battle-of-stalingradExplore these stories with a visit to an IWM site: iwm.org.ukOrder and license the HD clips used in this video on IWM Film’s website:film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/_x40Ld54XMaps by freevectormaps.comFollow IWM on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/I_W_M Instagram: instagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsFacebook: facebook.com/iwm.london
Why the dreadnoughts barely fought in WW1 Imperial War Museums 2023-02-01 | Both the German and British fleets at the start of the First World War had over a dozen dreadnought battleships each. The world was about to see the two largest navies in the world go head to head. But the dreadnoughts only saw action in a major battle once during World War One - at the Battle of Jutland, two years into the war. So what happened to the great naval battles of the First World War? How was it that the merchant ships came to play the pivotal role? Explore and licence the archive films used in this video on the IWM Film website: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/_7O8eRlm2CREDITS:First and second battleship squadrons and small cruisers of the German Navy, in Kiel Harbor, Germany, circa 1911-14 © National Archives at College Park
Why you should stop believing this WW1 myth Imperial War Museums 2023-01-25 | The First World War is often remembered as a futile waste of life. A pointless slugging match that saw uncaring commanders send thousands of young men to their untimely deaths - lions led by donkeys. In Britain in particular, it’s the mud-soaked trenches of Passchendaele which capture public imagination. While Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig is remembered as the butcher of the Somme.But were British soldiers really lions led by donkeys?Modern historians are challenging this idea and looking anew at Haig and his commanders to produce are more nuanced view of their command and generalship in the First World War.Find out more:Watch more First World War stories: youtube.com/watch?v=c7nUDLKKEBY&list=PLolzHiCNNbO98fnufk1ohzLRUOcRQ0GtgWhat happened during the battle: iwm.org.uk/history/what-happened-during-the-battle-of-the-sommeField Marshall Sir Douglas Haig: iwm.org.uk/history/field-marshal-sir-douglas-haigExplore these stories with a visit to an IWM site: iwm.org.ukOrder and license the HD clips used in this video on IWM Film’s website:film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/2982Follow IWM on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/I_W_M Instagram: instagram.com/imperialwarmuseumsFacebook: facebook.com/iwm.london
Military Historian breaks down Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) Imperial War Museums 2023-01-18 | Call of Duty is the best selling first person shooter franchise of all time. But how realistic is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare? In this video Chris Cooper, Lead Curator on IWM's War Games exhibiton, examines the game and what it can tell us about real life contemporary conflict.Find out more about our War Games Exhibition: iwm.org.uk/events/war-gamesWhat can video games tell us about war and conflict?: iwm.org.uk/history/what-can-video-games-tell-us-about-war-and-conflictArticles mentioned:theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/05/two-british-special-forces-soldiers-injured-by-isis-in-syriabbc.co.uk/news/uk-62083196CC Attributions:Ukraine war footage by mil.ru (CC-BY 4.0)
Why the Merlin engine was essential to the war Imperial War Museums 2022-12-28 | The Rolls-Royce Merlin Engine powered some of the most famous aeroplanes of World War II, including the Spitfire, the Hurricane, the Mosquito, the Mustang and the Lancaster. The Merlin was also used in aeroplanes like the Fairey Battle and the Boulton Paul Defiant. Over its production life, over 50 different development types of the Merlin Engine were produced, ranging from just over 1,000 horsepower, to right at the end of the war, the two Merlins that powered the de Havilland Hornet giving 2,050 horsepower each. In this video, Graham Rodgers looks at what made the Merlin Engine so vital during the Second World War, and we hear from some pilots and mechanics who worked with the Merlin Engine during the war, including test pilot Captain Eric 'Winkle' Brown. Book tickets to IWM Duxford now to catch the Hurricane spotlight exhibition, running 27 Dec - 19 Feb: iwm.org.uk/events/Hurricane-unsung-heroVisit the Battle of Britain hangar at IWM Duxford: iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxfordView and licence the archive film clips used in this video on IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/3081Discover our Spitfire gifts: shop.iwm.org.uk/c-spitfire-gifts-and-memorabiliaCredits:Produktion von Messerschmitt Bf 109 via German Federal Archives
How Montgomery won at El Alamein Imperial War Museums 2022-12-20 | Watch the full video here: youtu.be/ERlVM3z3ge0
Why are both sides using outdated BMP-1s in Ukraine? Imperial War Museums 2022-12-16 | The BMP-1 is a Soviet infantry fighting vehicle from the 1960s. Ours was captured during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and has been on display at IWM Duxford for over 30 years. Yet vehicles just like It are still being used by both sides in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, with heavy losses. So why are museum pieces being fielded in a 21st century war?Watch the full video here: youtu.be/Y7bBCWL7e-4
Why have Ukrainian ATGMs destroyed so many Russian tanks? Imperial War Museums 2022-12-14 | Anti-Tank Guided Missiles or ATGMs have become a defining symbol of the Ukrainian fight against Russian invasion. They have destroyed countless armoured vehicles and provided endless material for viral social media clips. But why have ATGMs been so effective in the war so far, and could that be about the change?IWM's free photography display 'Ukraine: Photographs from the Front Line' opens at IWM London on 3 February: iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-london-ukraine-exhibitionLicence the archive clips used in this film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/2740For information about licensing HD clips please email filmcommercial@iwm.org.ukCreative Commons Attributions:Russian footage by Mil.ru - CC BY-SA 4.0 - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Ukrainian footage by armyinform.com.ua - CC BY-SA 4.0 - creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Donbass War photographs by Noah Brooks Photo - CC BY-SA 2.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0
Russian tanks arent obsolete. Theyre being used wrong Imperial War Museums 2022-12-07 | *NOTE* - This is a re-upload of a previous videoRussian tanks have taken heavy losses in Ukraine. Countless images of decapitated turrets and burnt-out wrecks have made headlines around the world with some proclaiming the death of the tank altogether. They argue that the threat of artillery, drones, and man portable anti-tank missiles makes them extra vulnerable on the modern battlefield and an unsustainable risk to their crews. But is that really true? It turns out that, rather than the tank itself, Russia's tactics may be to blame for these losses. IWM's free photography display 'Ukraine: Photographs from the Front Line' opens at IWM London on 3 February: iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-london-ukraine-exhibitionLicence the archive clips used in this film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/2740For information about licensing HD clips please email filmcommercial@iwm.org.ukCreative Commons Attributions:Russian footage by Mil.ru (CC BY 4.0) creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Ukrainian footage by armyinform.com.ua (CC BY 4.0) creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Photograph of destroyed T-72 no turret by Kyivcity.gov.ua creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Photograph of destroyed T-72 with turret by Enno Lenze creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0Photograph of destruction in Bucha by www.president.gov.ua creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Photograph of M777 Howitzer www.mil.gov.ua creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Photograph of CAESAR Howitzer www.mil.gov.ua creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
What happened to the air war in Ukraine? Imperial War Museums 2022-11-30 | When the war in Ukraine began, there were estimates that Russia would establish air superiority within a matter of days. But 9 months into the war, the skies over Ukraine are still contested. Why have Russia struggled to utilise their air power effectively? And how has the war in the air changed as a result?We look at how Ukraine's air defences have created a denial of air space, and the history of surface to air missile systems, which has led to a lot of the SAMS in the war in Ukraine dating back to the Soviet era. As the skies have become more dangerous due to advanced SAM technology, we’ve seen the development of new systems to resist air dominance, such as new surveillance and combat drones. IWM's free photography display 'Ukraine: Photographs from the Front Line' opens at IWM London on 3 February: iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-london-ukraine-exhibitionIMAGE CREDITSRussian footage via Mil.ru (CC BY 4.0)Ukrainian footage via armyinform.com.ua (CC BY 4.0) The crash site of a Russian Su-34 shot down over the private sector of Chernihiv via dsns.gov.ua Soviet Air Defence Documentary Series by Wings of Russia StudioRussian helicopter Mi-35 shot down by Ukrainian forces via armyinform.com.ua Ukrainian servicemen with downed Russian drone via dshv.mil.gov.ua Shahed 136 drone via Iranian ministry of defence
Outdated or underrated? The Hurricane in WW2 Imperial War Museums 2022-11-02 | The first RAF aircraft to fly over 300mph, the Hawker Hurricane became a legendary aircraft. Over half of every enemy aeroplane destroyed in the Battle of Britain was by a Hawker Hurricane, not a Spitfire. The Hurricane is known for being a reliable workhorse of the Battle of Britain, but also went on to serve in nearly every major theatre in the Second World War, and even as a bomber. In this video, Graham Rodgers gives us a tour of Sydney Camm's magnificent design, as well as into the cockpit of this veteran Battle of Britain aircraft at Duxford. Book tickets to IWM Duxford now to catch the Hurricane spotlight exhibition, running 27 Dec - 19 Feb: iwm.org.uk/events/Hurricane-unsung-heroVisit the Battle of Britain hangar at IWM Duxford: iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxfordView and licence the archive film clips used in this video on IWM Film: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/mycollections/index/2929Battle of Britain - A Visual History: shop.iwm.org.uk/p/28186/Battle-of-Britain---A-Visual-HistoryCREDITSPhoto of Hurricane production at Brooklands via brooklandsmuseum.com Photo of Beatrice Shilling via kenleyrevival.org
