National Army Museum
Special Forces: In the Shadows

Until November 2018

Special Forces: In the Shadows

Extreme training, secret missions, total dedication. Explore the hidden world of the Special Forces through our major new exhibition, and a growing programme of stories and events.

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What's on at the National Army Museum

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Curator tour: Special Forces
Tour

25 April 2018, 11.00am

£12.50

Curator tour: Special Forces

Join a curator on an hour-long tour of our major exhibition, 'Special Forces: In the Shadows'.

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The Abyssinian War, 1867-68: Campaigning in ‘a country of which we know so little’
Talk

27 April 2018, 11.30am

FREE

The Abyssinian War, 1867-68

Professor Edward Spiers discusses the British expedition against Emperor Theodore II of Ethiopia.

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Kate Adie and Frank Gardner in conversation
In Conversation

2 May 2018, 6.30pm

£18.50

Kate Adie and Frank Gardner in conversation

In a conversation chaired by Yalda Hakim, Kate Adie and Frank Gardner discuss their experiences of reporting on the Army.

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Visitors in tank

Fun for Families

Families

Top 10 favourites

Go on an adventure through our galleries to find fascinating objects, surprising stories and interactive fun. Make the most of your visit with this selection of family favourite experiences.

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Play

Play Base

Play Base is an immersive experience for children from 0 to 8 year olds, offering a variety of fun and engaging activities. Take on the assault course, climb aboard a truck or prepare scoff in the cookhouse.

Workshop

Poetry writing workshop: Armistice

On 28 April, two soldier poets will lead this family-friendly poetry writing workshop on the theme of Armistice.

SAS troops entering the windows of the Iranian Embassy during the Siege, 1980

Special Forces

Story

What are the Special Forces?

The Special Forces are made up of several elite military units with distinct areas of expertise. Personnel are drawn from all three branches of the armed forces.

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Story

Origins of the Special Forces

During the Second World War, Britain created a range of special units who undertook a variety of daring operations. The bravery and commitment of these forces has become the stuff of legend.

Story

Special Air Service

The SAS is famous around the world. Its highly trained men are renowned for their skills in covert surveillance, close-combat fighting and hostage rescue.

The German offensive on the Lys: 4th Worcestershire Regiment holding positions at La Crêche, April 1918

First World War

Microsite

First World War in Focus

Discover the national and global impact of the First World War and hear the stories of men and women whose lives were affected by the conflict.

Visit the microsite
Story

Captain Bowcher Clarke

In April 1918, Bowcher Clarke was commanding 4th Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment, when the German attack in Flanders began. His photographs shed light on a struggle that helped decide the war on the Western Front.

Story

1918: Year of victory

The German Spring Offensive saw mobile warfare return to the Western Front. Despite early gains, the Germans exhausted themselves, setting the stage for a successful Allied counter-offensive.

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"First time @NAM_London today. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thought the presentation & interpretation made the subject accessible..."

National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4HT
Registered Charity Number: 237902