Second World War

Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery, 1942

Bernard Law Montgomery: Unbeatable and unbearable

Arrogant, unlikeable, but ultimately successful, Field Marshal Montgomery was one of the most prominent British commanders of the Second World War.

Explore Second World War events

London in the Second World War: The Blitz
Primary
1 Jun 2024 - 18 Jul 2025 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 - 18 Jul 2025 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 - 18 Jul 2025 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.

337th Infantry WWII
Talk
2 May 2025 FREE

Is Remembrance Still Working?

To mark VE Day, two grandchildren of high-ranking army officers from opposite sides of the Second World War come together to discuss questions of Remembrance.

People dressed in 1940s style dancing at the National Army Museum
Dance
10 May 2025 £25.00

VE Day Dance

Celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe and jive the night away at our 1940s dance.

Mission Europe book cover
Book Launch
15 May 2025 £14.00

Mission Europe: The Secret History of the Women of SOE

Launching Dr Kate Vigurs’s latest book, 'Mission Europe', this talk brings to life the stories of women recruited by the British for covert missions in occupied Europe.

The Story of Rena Stewart book cover
Talk
30 May 2025 FREE

Bletchley Park, Hitler and the BBC: The Story of Rena Stewart

Author Victoria Walsh introduces the fascinating story of Rena Stewart (1923-2023), from Bletchley Park to translator of Hitler’s will and then BBC pioneer.

Detail from the cover of the book 'Second Front'
Talk
13 Jun 2025 FREE

Gaps and Chaps: A Fresh Look at the Escape of the German Army from Normandy, 1944

Hear historian Marc Milner discuss the supposed failure of the British Army to prevent the escape of the Germans in the Normandy campaign of 1944.

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.

People feeling the textures of items in the handling collection
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.

Troops of the Royal West African Frontier Force in the Arakan, Burma, 1944
Tour
29 Nov 2025 £2.00

Beyond Burma: BSL Tour

Follow expert guide Edward Richards on a British Sign Language (BSL) tour of our forthcoming exhibition ‘Beyond Burma: Forgotten Armies’.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Morse Code Challenge
Home Activity

Morse Code Challenge

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