Second World War

British troops practising for D-Day, 1944

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Second World War

The Second World War took place between 1939 and 1945 and was the bloodiest conflict in human history. It split the world's nations into two opposing military alliances, the Allies and the Axis Powers.

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The infantry advance at El Alamein, 1942

The struggle for North Africa

The grim struggle that rolled back and forth across the North African desert from 1940 to 1943 resulted in the first major Allied victory of the Second World War.

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Army fashion statements

The Army's influence on fashion is not new. Military dress has made its way from conflict to catwalk over and over again.

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Battle of Normandy

D-Day enabled the Allies to establish a foothold on the beaches of Normandy. But they still faced the task of breaking out, pushing the Germans back and liberating France.

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D-Day

D-Day, 6 June 1944, marked the start of the Allied invasion of Normandy and was the greatest amphibious operation in history.

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Second World War

The Second World War (1939-45) was the bloodiest conflict in human history. It split the world's nations into two opposing military alliances - the Allies and the Axis Powers.

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Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery, 1942

Bernard Law Montgomery: Unbeatable and unbearable

Arrogant, unlikeable, but ultimately successful, Field Marshal Montgomery was one of the most prominent British commanders of the Second World War.

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Explore Second World War events

A clergyman and Civil Defence workers helping to clear the debris of a London school, 1940

Primary (virtual)

1 June 2024 - 18 July 2025

FREE

London in the Second World War: The Blitz (virtual)

Explore historic artefacts to discover more about the London Blitz and the people who worked to keep civilians safe.

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School students getting to grips with the handling collection

Secondary workshop

1 June 2024 - 18 July 2025

FREE

World at War: Soldiers of Empire

Discover more about the contributions of soldiers from the British Empire in the First and Second World Wars.

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London in the Second World War: The Blitz

Primary workshop

1 June 2024 - 18 July 2025

FREE

London in the Second World War: The Blitz

Explore historic artefacts to discover more about the Blitz and the people who worked to keep civilians safe.

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Performance At Museum

29 December 2024

FREE

Soldier Stories: Sister Evelyn Morgan

Meet characters, both real and imagined, from the Army’s past and hear their amazing stories in our galleries.

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Talk At Museum / Online

31 January 2025, 12.00pm

FREE

SAS Duty Before Glory

Join Tony Rushmer as he shares the story of 'SAS Original' Reg Seekings and his journey to become one of the most highly decorated Special Forces soldiers of the Second World War.

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Soldier of the King’s African Rifles covering a road, armed with a Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle, c1943

Talk At Museum / Online

21 February 2025, 12.00pm

FREE

Fighting for the Empire? Britain’s Colonial African Armies, 1939-45

Hear from John Concagh as he highlights how soldiers from Africa were recruited, trained and mobilised during the Second World War.

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Talk At Museum / Online

28 March 2025, 12.00pm

FREE

Burying the Enemy

Join Professor Tim Grady as he shares some poignant examples of British and German communities burying the war dead of their enemy during times of conflict.

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