Second World War

Explore Second World War stories

Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, The Royal Berkshire Regiment, with a local girl in Burma, 1945

On This Day: September 1945

In September 1945, the Second World War officially came to an end. As a result, the British Army’s role at home and abroad was transformed.

3rd Commando Brigade escorts captured Japanese soldiers, Hong Kong, 15 September 1945

Aftermath: September – December 1945

By September 1945, the Allies' full focus was on building a sustainable peace. During the final months of the year, British soldiers faced all manner of new challenges arising from the aftermath of the Second World War.

Detail from a commemorative poster to mark the 50th anniversary of VE/VJ Day, 1995

Victory over Japan

On 15 August 1945, the British government broadcast news of Japan’s unconditional surrender. This date was declared Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) and people from all walks of life celebrated the official end of the Second World War.

Soldiers of the 25th Indian Division searching Japanese troops after their surrender in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, 1945

On This Day: August 1945

In August 1945, Britain celebrated Victory over Japan. Yet, with local conflicts erupting across Asia and tremendous problems to tackle in Europe, the Army’s work was far from done.

Churchill, Truman and Stalin at the Potsdam Conference, 23 July 1945

On This Day: July 1945

In July 1945, Allied leaders assembled at Potsdam to finalise their plans for postwar Europe. The discussions were held as news emerged that the United States had successfully tested a new superweapon.

No 3 Commando disembarking at Tilbury Docks, June 1945

On This Day: June 1945

In June 1945, the British Army reached its wartime peak of 3.1 million soldiers. Troops were deployed all over the world on military, peacekeeping, administrative and occupational missions.

VE Day celebrations at Nairobi, Kenya, May 1945

On This Day: May 1945

In May 1945, the Allies celebrated Victory in Europe. While the war in Japan was still to be won, attention also turned to the challenges of the peace, not least the return home of millions of soldiers.

Victory: May–August 1945

In the summer of 1945, the Second World War came to an end. After Victory in Europe was declared in May, the final surrender of Japan was secured by mid-August. But the British Army’s work was far from over.

'Kangaroo' carrying infantry into battle near Conselice, Italy, April 1945

On This Day: April 1945

In April 1945, British and Allied forces advanced through Germany and uncovered disturbing evidence of the Holocaust. Meanwhile, the Spring Offensive in the Mediterranean brought about the liberation of northern Italy.

Troops boarding storm boats and crossing the Rhine at dawn, 24 March 1945

On This Day: March 1945

In March 1945, British soldiers crossed the Rhine and advanced into Germany. Securing victory in Europe was now only a matter of time.

Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin at the Yalta Conference, 1945

On This Day: February 1945

In February 1945, as the fighting continued on all fronts, formal plans began to take shape for how the world would look once the war was won.

Sherman tanks in the town of Asten in the Netherlands, January 1945

On This Day: January 1945

In January 1945, the overarching priority for the Army remained winning the war, and – for its soldiers in Europe at least – seeing off the cold, wintry weather.

Soldiers of the 81st West African Division with a canoe, Burma, c1944

Discussion

22 Jan 2026 £10.00

The Burma Boy: 15 Years On

Join a panel of experts as they discuss public understanding of African service in the Burma campaign and how it has evolved over the past decade.

Explore Second World War learning resources

Video

BlackPoppyRose at the National Army Museum

Explore the theme of remembrance and the service of African and Caribbean men and women in the British Army with BlackPoppyRose.

Video

Shirley Hamilton: ATS Servicewoman

Explore the contribution of Caribbean women who joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) during the Second World War.

Trail

The Blitz: Gallery Trail

Follow this gallery trail, accompanied by ATS servicewoman Shirley Hamilton, to find out more about the Blitz.

Women of the West Indies Auxiliary Territorial Service, c1944

Video

Virtual Exhibition: West Indian Soldier

Explore the history of Caribbean people in the British Army, and of the British Army in the Caribbean, through this virtual tour of the West Indian Soldier exhibition.

Soldiers of the British West Indies Regiment, France, 1916

Timeline

West Indian Soldier: Interactive Timeline

Explore the history of Caribbean people in the British Army, and of the British Army in the Caribbean, through an interactive timeline.

Indian Army troops travelling upstream on a barge, Mesopotamia, c1916

Timeline

India, Empire and the Army: Interactive Timeline

Explore the history of the British Army in India and the British Empire's Indian armies through this interactive timeline packed with over 200 sources.

A live interpreter dressed as a British Indian Army soldier in Burma during the Second World War

Video

Jungle Fighter: Meet Shaam Lal

Discover the role of the British Indian Army in Burma during the Second World War, exploring soldiers’ motivations, experiences and hopes.

'The Divided Dominion', poster, published 21 June 1947

Video

The Partition of India: A Poetic Retelling

Discover more about the Partition of India and the events leading up to it through this poetry film, featuring archival images and original epic poetry.