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

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.

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.

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.

Members of the Coldstream Guards during an infantry exercise in Germany, c1977
Timeline

Britain, the Army and the Cold War: Interactive Timeline

Explore the British Army’s role in the Cold War through this interactive timeline packed with over 100 sources. 

British soldiers and locals watch the burning of Belsen, May 1945
Video

The Liberation of Bergen-Belsen

Explore the British Army's liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp and the substantial relief effort which followed.

Outside an advanced dressing station at Tilloy-les-Mofflaines, Western Front, April 1917
Timeline

Health and Medicine in the Army: Interactive Timeline

Uncover the history of medical developments in the British Army through this interactive timeline packed with nearly 200 sources.

History of Warfare: Gallery Trail
Trail

History of Warfare: Gallery Trail

Follow the trail to find 10 objects that explore the nature of warfare and the British Army through time.

Operation Science: Supply Drop
Video

Operation Science: Supply Drop

Explore the science behind parachutes and see how well Brussel sprouts can fly in this festive-themed video.

Recruiting leaflet, Army Cadet Force, 1991
Timeline

Army Cadets: Interactive Timeline

Explore the history of the British Army Cadet Force and the Combined Cadet Force through this interactive timeline. 

Jungle Survival Quiz
Home Activity

Jungle Survival Quiz

Have you got what it takes to survive in the jungle? Try our quiz to find out!

How to Draw: Desert edition
Home Activity

How to Draw: Desert edition

Use our step-by-step instructions to try your hand at desert-themed drawings.

How To Draw: Transport
Home Activity

How to Draw: Transport edition

Use our step-by-step instructions to have a go at drawing Army transport.

Morse Code Challenge
Home Activity

Morse Code Challenge

Can you crack the code? Try our Morse code challenge at home!