Second World War

Men of the 10th Gurkha Rifles clearing enemy positions on 'Scraggy' hill, Burma, 1944

Battles of Imphal and Kohima

These battles formed the turning point of one of the most gruelling campaigns of the Second World War. The Japanese defeat in north-east India in 1944 became the springboard for the subsequent re-conquest of Burma.

Breaking boundaries

During the Second World War, the women of the Auxiliary Territorial Service took on increasingly diverse roles. But, like their First World War predecessors, they were still prevented from fighting.

Claude Auchinleck: The auk

After initial successes in North Africa during the Second World War, Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck transferred to India as Commander-in-Chief. His unstinting logistical support there was vital to the Allied re-conquest of Burma.

Indian troops of the 17th Division in Payagyi during the advance on Rangoon, April 1945

The Far East campaign

Between December 1941 and August 1945, British Commonwealth troops and their allies fought a bitter war across the vast expanses of Asia and the Pacific Ocean against a tenacious and often brutal enemy.

Major Herbert 'Blondie' Hasler and a colleague paddling a canoe, c1942

Herbert ‘Blondie’ Hasler: A Cockleshell Hero

Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert ‘Blondie’ Hasler was an inventor, pioneering yachtsman and special forces canoeist. In December 1942, he led the daring ‘Cockleshell Heroes’ raid on Bordeaux harbour.

Nigel Clogstoun-Willmott: Covert beach surveyor

During the Second World War, Nigel Clogstoun-Willmott founded the Combined Operations Pilotage Parties to undertake covert beach reconnaissance. This proved vital for the success of Allied seaborne invasions.

Roger Courtney: SBS pioneer

Major Roger ‘Jumbo’ Courtney founded the Special Boat Section during the Second World War. This became one of Britain’s most important Special Forces and was a parent unit of the modern Special Boat Service.

Lieutenant Colonel Robert 'Paddy' Mayne near Kabrit, Egypt, 1942

‘Paddy’ Mayne: An Irish Lion

Lieutenant-Colonel ‘Paddy’ Mayne played a vital role in the early successes of the Special Air Service (SAS), becoming one of its most important commanders.

‘Jock’ Lewes: SAS mastermind

As the co-founder of the Special Air Service (SAS), Lieutenant ‘Jock’ Lewes played a vital role in establishing the unit’s ethos and high standards of training and discipline.

David Stirling: The Phantom Major

Colonel David Stirling was a pioneer of British Special Forces. In 1941, he founded the Special Air Service (SAS) in Egypt to undertake small-scale raids behind enemy lines.

Gun disguised as a pen for use by SOE agents, 1945

Special Operations Executive

Formed in 1940, the SOE was an underground army that waged a secret war in enemy-occupied Europe and Asia. Its agents demonstrated incredible courage and resourcefulness.

Sergeant Herbert Chambers with fellow Special Boat Service soldiers in Athens, 1944

Origins of the Special Forces

During the Second World War, Britain created a range of special units who undertook a variety of daring operations against the Axis Powers. The bravery and commitment of these forces has become the stuff of legend.

People feeling the textures of items in the handling collection

Tour

12 Oct 2025 FREE

Beyond Burma: Sensory Tour

Explore our forthcoming exhibition ‘Beyond Burma: Forgotten Armies’ through a sensory tour guided by our Community Engagement Team.

Audience members at a National Army Museum talk

Conference

14 Oct 2025 £15.00

Burma Conference

Join us for an all-day academic conference highlighting new and emerging research into the ‘forgotten’ armies of the Burma campaign.

Talk

17 Oct 2025 FREE

Sir Alf Ramsey: How the Army Shaped Him

Grant Bage considers the military service and formative experiences of World Cup-winning football manager, Sir Alf Ramsey.

Tour

17 Oct 2025 FREE

Beyond Burma: Sensory Tour

Explore our forthcoming exhibition ‘Beyond Burma: Forgotten Armies’ through a sensory tour guided by our Community Engagement Team.

Book launch

23 Oct 2025 £15.00

SAS: The Great Train Raid

Bestselling author Damien Lewis is back with another daring SAS mission, this time uncovering a story long veiled in secrecy that is both heroic and harrowing.

Book launch

28 Oct 2025 £15.00

The White Lady

Author Helen Fry returns for the launch of her new book, which focuses on two key intelligence networks operating behind enemy lines during the World Wars.

Troops of the Royal West African Frontier Force in the Arakan, Burma, 1944

Tour

7 Nov 2025 £15.00

Exhibition Tour: Beyond Burma

Enjoy a guided tour of ‘Beyond Burma: Forgotten Armies’ with the exhibition's lead curator, Alan Jeffreys.

Detail from an Indian National Army propaganda leaflet, c1944

Talk

21 Nov 2025 FREE

The Indian National Army in Burma

Gautam Hazarika provides a fascinating insight into the role of the Indian National Army and its service alongside the Japanese during the Second World War.