Imperial War Museum London

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IWM London tells the stories of those whose lives have been shaped by war from the First World War to the present day. Discover in-depth information about IWM London, special content, and discuss and share with others. Our social media house rules can be found here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/policies/social-media

A soldier of the East Lancashire Regiment and his pet dog pictured in a ditch at Guyencourt during the Third Battle of t...
28/05/2026

A soldier of the East Lancashire Regiment and his pet dog pictured in a ditch at Guyencourt during the Third Battle of the Aisne, 28 May 1918.

Image: IWM (Q 6682)

This suitcase radio, on display at IWM London, was used by agents of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during the S...
28/05/2026

This suitcase radio, on display at IWM London, was used by agents of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during the Second World War.

The SOE was a secret British Second World War organisation created in July 1940. Formed with the instruction to 'set Europe ablaze', agents were tasked with helping local resistance movements and conducting espionage and sabotage in enemy-held territories.

Secure and well-organised radio communications between SOE headquarters and agents in the field were crucial, as living and operating secretly behind enemy lines was extremely hazardous.

Suitcase radios were used extensively by SOE agents to arrange supply drops and the movement of personnel. Messages were normally transmitted in Morse code having first been enciphered. Early models were heavy and bulky but this example, designed in 1943 by Major John Brown, was smaller and lighter than any previous models.

Image: IWM (COM 229)

27/05/2026

Safely avoiding obstacles as a tank driver.

This clip comes from a 1949 British military training film describing how to drive tanks in different terrains. You can find it in full here: https://bit.ly/4jzhDU5

Film: IWM DRA 1016

27/05/2026

Troops serving with No 3 Commando's No 5 Troop are tossed into the air in a blanket held by their comrades and grab at a rope strung between two nearby trees some twenty feet above the ground.

Filmed during D-Day preparations in Britain, 1 June 1944. You can find this clip and many other films documenting the Allies' preparations on our film collections website here: https://bit.ly/49ddn9H

Film: IWM A70 24-3

26/05/2026

Scenes from the Dunkirk Evacuation, which began on 26 May 1940.

Codenamed Operation Dynamo, the evacuation saw more than 338,000 British and French soldiers evacuated from the French port of Dunkirk between 26 May and 4 June 1940. You can read more about the operation on our website: https://bit.ly/4nVmodE

Film: IWM MGH 6859

Pilots of No. 33 Squadron RAF pictured at Larissa, Greece, with Hawker Hurricane Mark I V7419, 1941. Image: IWM (ME(RAF)...
26/05/2026

Pilots of No. 33 Squadron RAF pictured at Larissa, Greece, with Hawker Hurricane Mark I V7419, 1941.

Image: IWM (ME(RAF) 1200)

26/05/2026

British tanks and carriers filmed crossing the Mu River at Ye-U, Burma, 4 January 1945.

Allied troops were at the time advancing through central Burma to capture Rangoon, the country's capital. You can read more about the Burma campaign here: https://bit.ly/4dS6vB1

Film: IWM FUB 50

22/05/2026

The many roles of the British infantry: this 1970 government film showcases the variety of roles available soldiers in the army, including gunners, parachutists, radar operators and more.

Find the full film, titled 'The Right Man', on our film collections website: https://bit.ly/4fXoILX

© Crown copyright. IWM (COI 904-1)

21/05/2026

French soldiers fire a Saint Etienne machine gun from their trench near Rheims on the Western Front, May or June 1918.

The clip comes from a British newsreel produced during the war. Find it in full here: https://bit.ly/4eNQ35U

Film: IWM 1061-02b

Wartime traffic on the Thames. This series was painted by John Edgar Platt, one of many artists commissioned by the War ...
20/05/2026

Wartime traffic on the Thames.

This series was painted by John Edgar Platt, one of many artists commissioned by the War Artists Advisory Committee to depict London scenes during the war. The first and second paintings here are currently on display at 'Beauty and Destruction', our exhibition at IWM London exploring how artists depicted the city during the war.

The first painting here shows war supplies on the move, with several barges, tugs and gunboats sailing up and down the river. The dome of St Paul's is also visible between the two warehouses on the far bank.

The second shows a minesweeper - visible in the corner - flying the white ensign as it sails under Blackfriars Bridge.

The third is a scene from Waterloo Bridge, showing two policemen in a boat passing a life ring to an airman who has parachuted into the river.

The fourth shows a rescue boat sailing out from under London Bridge, with swans and seagulls scattering as it approaches.

The fifth shows two tugboats sailing upriver for repairs following the Dieppe Raid, the unsuccessful Allied amphibious attack on the German-occupied port of Dieppe in France.

Images: IWM (Art.IWM ART LD 2640) / IWM (Art.IWM ART LD 2638) / IWM (Art.IWM ART LD 2642) / IWM (Art.IWM ART LD 2643) / IWM (Art.IWM ART LD 2639)

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Lambeth Road
London
SE16HZ

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm

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+442074165000

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