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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John Moore: Alone with his glory

An army reformer and pioneer of light infantry units, General Sir John Moore's inspired leadership at Corunna in 1809 saved an army from destruction, but led to his death in action.

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War of the Spanish Succession

The campaigns of the Duke of Marlborough in the War of the Spanish Succession (1702-13) stopped France from dominating Europe. They also brought about the first popular recognition of the British Army’s fighting powers.

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Battle of Salamanca

The Earl of Wellington's victory at Salamanca in July 1812 defied his reputation as a purely defensive general and shattered French dominance on the Iberian Peninsula.

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Battle of Blenheim

The Battle of Blenheim in 1704 saw a decisive defeat for a Franco-Bavarian force by the allied English, Dutch and Austrian armies commanded by the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene of Savoy.

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Battle of Loos

The Battle of Loos took place on the Western Front in September-October 1915. At the time, it was the largest British offensive of the First World War.

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Mark I tank C19 in Chimpanzee Valley during the Battle of Flers Courcelette, 1916

Attack of the tanks

In September 1916, the face of battle changed forever. On an unsuspecting enemy, Britain unleashed its new secret weapon - the tank.

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Battle of Passchendaele

In July 1917, the British and French launched a massive offensive near the Belgian city of Ypres. The bitter struggle that followed came to symbolize the horrors of trench warfare.

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Units of the Dutch Brigade moving up to the attack, 1944

Victory in Europe

During 1944-45, the Allies endured months of fighting against a determined enemy. This bloody struggle eventually ended in the final defeat of Nazi Germany.

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German soldiers raise the swastika at the Acropolis, Athens, April 1941

War in the Balkans

In 1941 the Axis powers invaded Yugoslavia and Greece. British and Commonwealth intervention and evacuation followed before a vicious partisan conflict began.

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Defeat in the West

In the summer of 1940, the Germans defeated France and drove the British out of Western Europe. Following their evacuation from Dunkirk, the British found themselves facing the threat of invasion.

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Weapons of the Western Front

During the First World War, armies were forced to adapt their tactics and pursue new technologies as a way of breaking the deadlock. Here, we explore some of the weapons used by the British Army on the Western Front.

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Wellington: The Iron Duke

Whether you know him as Arthur Wellesley, the Iron Duke, or even Old Nosey, the Duke of Wellington is the British Army’s most famous commander.

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Explore Conflict in Europe events

Performance At Museum

19 May 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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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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New

Book Signing At Museum

29 May 2024, 11.00am

FREE

Finding Alfie: Live Illustration with Michael Foreman

Celebrate the release of ‘Finding Alfie’ with Michael Foreman as he presents a live illustration event, followed by a book-signing session.

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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 Professor 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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The defence of Hougoumont at Waterloo, 1815

Members Only

19 June 2024, 5.00pm

FREE

Siborne Lecture: Hollywood vs History

Join us for the annual Siborne Lecture, hosted by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), to explore the history and culture of the Napoleonic Wars.

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'Dawn of Waterloo', by Lady Elizabeth Butler, 1895

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