Conflict in Europe

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Conflict in Europe

This gallery explores the Army’s role in maintaining stability in Europe from the 1700s to the present day. It charts the ebb and flow of power and influence, and also demonstrates how fighting on the Continent has impacted the fate of the British Isles.

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Destruction of the Floating Batteries, Gibraltar, 14 September 1782

This painting by George Carter captures a pivotal moment in the Siege of Gibraltar, a contest for control of this strategic Mediterranean base during the American War of Independence.

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The Battle of Blenheim, 13 August 1704

This work of art depicts the final stages of the Battle of Blenheim. It was painted by John Wootton around 40 years after the event. Here, we take a closer look to discover more about this key moment in European history.

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Bombs over Britain

This aerial bomb's banged-up condition reveals something of the impact it must have made when dropped from a German airship during the First World War. Today, it forms part of an impressive display of weaponry in our Conflict in Europe gallery.

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Dawn of Waterloo

This emotive oil painting is one of the highlights of our Conflict in Europe gallery. Details revealed during four months of specialist conservation have enhanced our understanding of the artist, Lady Butler, and her empathy for the ordinary soldier.

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Rex Whistler’s self-portrait, May 1940

This self-portrait is one of many depictions of Second World War soldiers on display at the National Army Museum. Here, we take a closer look at the painting to discover more about Whistler's life as an artist and soldier.

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Phoenix unmanned aerial vehicle suspended from the ceiling of the Conflict in Europe gallery

Phoenix in flight: Installing a surveillance drone

Perhaps our most technical challenge during the installation of the Conflict in Europe gallery was the Phoenix UAV. But despite presenting some particular problems, its overall journey was similar to that of many other objects on display.

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Installing a First World War rum jar in the Conflict in Europe gallery

Mudbound: Conserving an Army rum jar

One of the items in our Conflict in Europe gallery is a rum jar unearthed from the trenches of the Western Front. Before going on display, it raised some interesting ethical questions on how to deal with dirt.

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‘Amar Singh - fait a Orléans’, 16 October 1914

Paul Sarrut: Interpreting the Army on the Western Front

Paul Sarrut was a French soldier who was posted to the British Army as a military liaison officer and interpreter during the First World War. Trained as an artist, Sarrut created an important visual record of the 3rd (Lahore) Division in France.

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Soldiers of The 3rd (East Kent) Regiment of Foot (The Buffs) defending the Colours at Albuera, 1811

Save the Colours!

Colours have been the focus of some of the most bitter fighting and magnificent acts of heroism in British Army history. Soldiers often fought to the last to preserve them in battle, and they continue to hold totemic significance for regiments today.

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Lieutenant-General John Manners, Marquess of Granby, c1763

Marquess of Granby: The benevolent soldier

Lieutenant-General John Manners, Marquess of Granby, acquired his reputation for courage and leadership during the Seven Years War. His popularity was also founded upon his well-known generosity and concern for the welfare of his men.

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British troops taking part in NATO's Exercise Lionheart in Germany, 1984

Active Edge: The Army, Germany and the Cold War

In 1945, British troops occupied Germany alongside their wartime Soviet allies. But growing East-West tensions soon evolved into the Cold War. For the next four decades, soldiers in Germany prepared to face an attack by the Warsaw Pact.

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Civilians gathered around British tanks, Hamburg, May 1945

The Army and the occupation of Germany

Following their victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, the Allies were faced with administering a country in ruins. British soldiers had a leading role in this, helping to hunt war criminals, rebuild industry and help displaced persons.

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Explore Conflict in Europe events

SOE agents with a Maquis group, Hautes-Alpe, August 1944

Talk At Museum / Online

19 April 2024, 12.00pm

FREE

SOE Operatives: The Secrets of Their Success

Hear from Carina Evans as she highlights the key characteristics and personality traits that made the Special Operations Executive (SOE) such an effective force.

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Performance At Museum

21 April 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

2 May 2024, 6.30pm

£10.00

Sky Warriors

Bestselling historian Saul David launches a riveting new account of the British airborne experience during the Second World War.

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Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle crossing a bridge, Bosnia, c1993

Talk At Museum / Online

24 May 2024, 12.00pm

FREE

Peacekeeping in Bosnia: A Tragedy Recalled

Hear from Major General Peter Williams as he reveals what it was like to command the Coldstream Guards armoured infantry battalion during the civil war in Bosnia.

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Tour At Museum

28 - 31 May 2024

FREE

Marching Orders: Daring Deception

Join us on this family friendly tour as we learn about all about the daring deception tactics the Army has used throughout history.

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A Churchill tank in a ruined Normandy village, 1944

In Conversation At Museum / Online

7 June 2024, 12.00pm

FREE

The Days After D-Day

Dr Glyn Prysor discusses the Battle for Normandy with Dr Jonathan Fennell, examining the Allied advance that followed on from the historic D-Day landings.

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People dressed in 1940s style dancing at the National Army Museum

Museum Late At Museum

15 June 2024, 6.00pm

£25.00

D-Day Dance

Put on your dancing shoes and jive back in time to the 1940s at this special after-hours event.

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Talk At Museum / Online

21 June 2024, 12.00pm

FREE

Lady Butler’s Waterloo

Join curator Anna Lavelle as she explores the Waterloo campaign through iconic depictions by the acclaimed Victorian artist Lady Butler.

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Talk At Museum / Online

28 June 2024, 12.00pm

FREE

World Heritage and War: The Bombing of Pompeii

Professor Nigel Pollard uses the little-known story of the bombing of Pompeii during the Second World War to reflect on the risk that conflict poses to cultural heritage sites.

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Conflict in Europe