Second World War

Levison Wood (left) with his dad Lev Wood Senior

Levison Wood: My Grandfather’s War

Author and explorer Levison Wood discovers the story of his grandfather's wartime service in Burma through family memorabilia and National Army Museum archives.

Mapping the Far East Campaign

Mapping the Far East campaign

This video provides a brief summary of the battles fought in the air, on sea and on land during the Far East campaign of the Second World War. It also examines how we remember these events today.

Japanese flag captured by 6th Battalion, 5th Mahratta Light Infantry, 1945

Yosegaki Hinomaru: Japanese good-luck flags

A collection of flags captured during the Second World War sheds light on the tough close-quarter combat of the Burma campaign and provides some rare insights about soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army.

‘The 1st Cruiser’, 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), Surrey, November, 1940

The Sale Collection: Preparing for action

In the second instalment, we explore the wartime exploits of the 3rd County of London Yeomanry in 1940-41. During this time, the unit prepared for overseas deployment, training hard and getting to grips with a variety of armoured vehicles.

Warrant Officer Jimmy Sale, 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), Westbury, Wiltshire, 1941

The Sale Collection: Origins and early years

In the first instalment of this series, we learn about the origins of the 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), its pre-war service and the outbreak of fighting in 1939.

Passing German prisoners of war when moving up to the Aller, Germany, April 1945

Countdown to victory

In the spring of 1945, Allied armies began their final advance into the heart of Nazi Germany. After weeks of intense fighting, they secured victory, ending the most destructive war in Europe's history.

Female prisoners after their liberation, Belsen, April 1945

The liberation of Belsen

As the British Army advanced into the heart of Nazi Germany in the spring of 1945, its soldiers were confronted with the full horrors of the Holocaust at the notorious Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

Luck and superstition

Luck and superstition

Chance plays a significant part in deciding a soldier’s fate on the battlefield. Here we look at examples of close shaves and extraordinary escapes, and examine some of the superstitions soldiers draw on for comfort and protection.

The war on glamour

The war on glamour

During the Second World War, the Army relied on women to perform essential military roles. But some of the tactics used to recruit new members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service proved highly controversial.

Abram Games in his studio, c1941

Abram Games and the power of the poster

Abram Games was 'Official War Poster Artist' during the Second World War. Always direct, and occasionally controversial, his posters have left a legacy that continues to influence the art of persuasion used by visual designers today.

Abram Games poster, 'Your Britain. Fight for It Now', 1942

Abram Games, ABCA and the fight for post-war change

During the Second World War, Abram Games produced a series of posters for the Army Bureau of Current Affairs. These aimed to remind soldiers what they were fighting for, while also offering a glimpse of the post-war society to which they could aspire.

The 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers with Achilles tank destroyers near Ferrara, April 1945

The battle for Italy

From 1943 to 1945, the Allies fought an attritional campaign in Italy against a resolute and skilful enemy. Far from being the ‘soft underbelly of Europe’, Italy became one of the Second World War’s most exhausting campaigns.

Explore Second World War events

London in the Second World War: The Blitz
Primary
1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

London in the Second World War: The Blitz

Explore historic artefacts to discover more about the Blitz and the people who worked to keep civilians safe.

A clergyman and Civil Defence workers helping to clear the debris of a London school, 1940
Primary
1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

London in the Second World War: The Blitz (virtual)

Explore historic artefacts to discover more about the London Blitz and the people who worked to keep civilians safe.

School students getting to grips with the handling collection
Secondary
1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

World at War: Soldiers of Empire

Discover more about the contributions of soldiers from the British Empire in the First and Second World Wars.

Detail from 'Troops of the Royal West African Frontier Force in the Arakan, Burma, 1944'
Exhibition
16 Sep 2025 - 13 Apr 2026 FREE

Beyond Burma: Forgotten Armies

Marking the 80th anniversary of VJ (Victory over Japan) Day, this exhibition shines a light on the remarkable multinational army that fought in some of the toughest conditions of the Second World War.

Royal Artillery gun detachment preparing to fire a 3.7 in howitzer during the Battle of the Ngakyedauk Pass, Arakan, February 1944
Spotlight
20 Sep 2025 FREE

Burma Day

Join us for a special day of talks and activities to celebrate the opening of our exhibition, ‘Beyond Burma’, and to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.

Lord Louis Mountbatten talking to Indian soldiers, c1945
Talk
20 Sep 2025 FREE

Indian Army Experiences of the Burma Campaign

Join historian David Omissi as he highlights the crucial role of the Indian Army in the Allied reoccupation of Burma in 1945 and the ultimate defeat of Imperial Japan. Part of our Burma Day.

A British Commando officer confers with Burmese soldiers, Arakan, Burma, 1944
Talk
20 Sep 2025 £10.00

Jungle Commandos: The Battle for Arakan, 1945

Join historian, author and broadcaster Lucy Betteridge-Dyson as she explores the actions and experiences of 3 Commando Brigade in the jungles of Burma in 1945. Part of our Burma Day.

British commanders in Burma, 1942
Talk
20 Sep 2025 £10.00

Churchill’s Forgotten Generals: Victors in Burma

Dr Alan Jeffreys discusses the pivotal role played by Britain’s generals in the eventual defeat of the Imperial Japanese Army in Burma. Part of our Burma Day.

Brigadier Mike Calvert giving orders during the Chindits’ capture of Mogaung, Burma, June 1944
Talk
20 Sep 2025 FREE

The History of the Chindits

Join Paul Corden as he explores who the Chindits were and explains their important role during the Burma campaign. Part of our Burma Day.

Nigerian soldiers, Burma, 1944
Talk
20 Sep 2025 FREE

West African Soldiers in Burma

Dr Oliver Owen explores the fascinating story of the soldiers from West Africa who served in the Burma campaign. Part of our Burma Day.

Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers at the capture of Pintha, 18 October 1944
Talk
20 Sep 2025 FREE

Veterans' Stories from the Burma Campaign

Jeremy Archer shares first-hand accounts from veterans who served in one of the Second World War's most arduous campaigns. Part of our Burma Day.

British troops advancing during the fighting at Meiktila, Burma, February 1945
Talk
20 Sep 2025 £10.00

Longest, Harshest, Largest: Superlatives of the Burma Campaign

Join military historian and author Rob Lyman as he discusses the superlative characteristics of the Burma campaign. Part of our Burma Day.

Explore Second World War learning resources

BlackPoppyRose at the National Army Museum
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.

Shirley Hamilton: ATS Servicewoman
Video

Shirley Hamilton: ATS Servicewoman

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

The Blitz: Gallery Trail
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.

Second World War: Gallery Trail
Trail

Second World War: Gallery Trail

Follow this gallery trail to find out more about the role of the British Army during the Second World War.

Auxiliary Territorial Service personnel operating anti-aircraft defences, c1940
Quiz

Britain and the Blitz in the Second World War: Quiz

Put your knowledge of the Blitz to the test in this interactive quiz.

Let's Talk Tanks
Video

Let’s Talk Tanks

Set off on a mission to find out more about the everyday lives of tank crews during the Second World War in this family friendly video.

How to Draw: Second World War edition
Home Activity

How to Draw: Second World War edition

Use our step-by-step instructions to have a go at drawing items from the Second World War.