Imperial War Museum – serie

Late on the night of May 16, 1943, Wing Commander Guy Gibson led 617 Squadron of the Royal Air Force on a mission code-named Operation Chastise--an audacious bombing raid across the English Channel. Their aim? Destroy three dams in the Ruhr Valley, the industrial heartland of Germany. The dams were fiercely protected. Torpedo nets in the water prevented underwater attacks, leaving air attack the only option. But anti-aircraft guns stood ready to wreak havoc on any enemy bombers daring enough to attempt an approach. What the Germans didn't know, however, was that 617 Squadron had a secret weapon--the "bouncing bomb"--and that it would be the difference maker in this attack. Using rarely seen archival footage from Imperial War Museums' unique collection, this flip book recreates the work that went into this raid, enabling readers to watch, frame by frame, as RAF pilots attempted to perfect their technique for dropping the bouncing bomb and getting it to detonate right on its target.

IWM was founded on 5 March 1917 when the War Cabinet approved a proposal by Sir Alfred Mond MP for the creation of a national war museum to record the events still taking place during the First World War. The intention was to collect and display material as a record of everyone's experiences during the war - civilian and military - and to commemorate the sacrifices of all sections of society.The First World War Retold tells the story of that war from a fresh perspective, fully illustrated with objects, photographs and works of art from IWM's unparalleled collections. It presents events as they happened, through quotations from diaries, letters or reported conversations written or spoken within hours, days or weeks of the events they describe. Through these voices and objects - emotive, immediate, and sometimes surprising - the story of the war is retold from a compelling new angle, allowing us to both understand and reflect upon the landmark conflict that still shapes our lives today.

The Second World War in Colour illustrates the most destructive war in history through rare colour photographs from IWM's unparalleled archive. The vivid hues of flames and fabrics, the intense blue skies, the sun-tanned faces and the myriad colours of military camouflage bring an immediacy rarely felt through black and white photography. Striking and powerful, these images take away its remoteness and bring the Second World War to life.

IWM has managed a Film Archive since it was first established in 1917, and the Archive now covers all aspects of conflicts in which British, Commonwealth or former Empire countries have been involved since the start of the twentieth century. The constantly growing collection extends to over 23,000 hours of moving images, representing a wide and diverse range of material from public and service information films, documentaries and unedited combat film, through to official newsreels and amateur films.

It is well to remember that the stomach governs the world. Winston Churchill Mrs. Landemare s food is distinguished. She is an inspired intuitive cook. Clementine Churchill "Churchill s Cookbook" provides fascinating insight into what the legendary prime minister ate during World War II, containing over three hundred delicious recipes created by his personal cook, Georgina Landemare. The celebrity cook of her day, Landemare specialized in creating sumptuous feasts for England s nobility. At the outbreak of the Second World War, however, she devoted her full-time services to the Churchill family, declaring This will be my war work! She worked for the prime minster throughout the war; she was up at dawn preparing his breakfast and remained steadfastly in the kitchen until after his last whiskey at night. On VE Night, Churchill told her that he could not have managed through the war without her. With an introduction by Phil Reed, director of the Churchill War Rooms, "Churchill s Cookbook" marks the fiftieth anniversary of Churchill s death and the seventieth anniversary of VE Day.Covering mouth-watering cakes, biscuits, and puddings; healthy salads; and warming soups; this timely publication revives some forgotten British classics and reveals the food that sustained Churchill during his finest hours."

The Imperial War Museum s archive is home to more than 20,000 hours of moving image material spanning the twentieth century in Britain. The clips range from documentary film and official newsreels, to unedited combat footage, and amateur shots. In the museum's early days the films could only be viewed through Mutoscope machines from the late nineteenth century that functioned much like a flipbook, giving life to a series of motionless images. The Mutoscope did not project images on a screen, rather the machine was used by one person at a time. To re-create the experience of watching these historical film reels, some of the most compelling scenes have been reproduced in these action-filled flipbooks. As you flip through the"Spitfire Flipbook," you ll come face to face with a 1940s Spitfire plane flying through the air. The single seat fighter aircraft dips and dives at lightning speeds as the pages progress. The Spitfire was the most commonly used airplane during the Battle of Britain and was used as both a fighter-bomber and for training.Replicating the action of old-time film strips, these flipbooks will be a delight for both children and adults, transporting those who flip the pages to Britain s wartime past."

Keep calm and carry on. In 1939, Britain s Ministry of Information produced this now-ubiquitous reminder to its citizens in the event of widely predicted air attacks. But in the six consecutive years before Germany s surrender to Allied forces, the British public would feel keenly both the physical and moral hardships of war. To boost morale and raise awareness of how citizens efforts might helpor hinderthe wartime effort, one of the most effective forms the British government had at its disposal was the poster. "British Posters of the Second World War" presents one hundred posters from this important period in world history. Some proclaimed in bold type that Victory of the Allies is assured and featured stalwart British soldiers alongside exaggerated enemy figures. Others, however, hung on the walls of bus and railway stations, town halls, and pubs, called for continued self-sufficiency, urging Britons to raise chickens and join pig clubs. As the threat of espionage came to be regarded as ever-present, another category of posters cautioned soldiers and civilians alike against talking about the war: Furtive Fritz is always listening warned one; another, Keep mumshe s not so dumb.Drawing on the Imperial War Museum s impressive collection of materials related to conflicts involving Britain in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, "British Posters of the Second World War" explores these campaigns and many others with an introduction and explanatory text by the museum s senior curator, Richard Slocombe."

The War Against Japan offers a detailed and visually rich account of the campaign in South East Asia and the Pacific during the Second World War, tracing the causes, course and consequences of the conflict from its origins in the 1930s to the attack on Pearl Harbor and through to VJ Day and beyond. The historical narrative is enriched with photographs, objects, artworks and personal testimony from IWM's collections, capturing the scale and complexity of a conflict that spanned oceans, jungles and remote islands.Carefully selected imagery and first-hand accounts bring to life the experiences of those who served in the Asia-Pacific theatre - on land, at sea and in the air. Each chapter chronologically charts the key battles and operations while uncovering the human stories behind events. The voices of prisoners of war and internees, civilians as well as armed forces personnel, are woven into the narrative. The War Against Japan takes the reader on a wide-ranging yet intimate journey through one of history's most devasting conflicts.

Bring to life the legendary tanks that rumbled across the battlefields of World War Two with Imperial War Museums' fantastic colouring book. Packed with striking vintage-style illustrations, including iconic tanks like the T-34 and Tiger I, this book features over 30 detailed drawings of historic armoured vehicles and dramatic ground combat scenes from Europe, North Africa and beyond. Grab your colouring pencils and journey back to the era of steel and strategy - this is the perfect gift for tank enthusiasts of all ages!

Discover chilling tales from the frontlines and beyond with this spine-tingling collection of wartime ghost stories. From the trenches of the First World War to Britain's home front during the Second, through the tense Cold War years, these gripping accounts reveal eerie apparitions and unexplained encounters experienced by soldiers, sailors, pilots and nurses.From haunted trenches and airfields to ghostly ships, castles and even Nissen huts, you'll encounter the ghost of a German soldier, a woman in black, phantom sailors and other hair-raising encounters.

During the hardships of the Second World war and post-war rationing, home bakers found ingenious ways to create comforting cakes. In wartime Britain, cake was more than just a treat - it was a way to bring people together, and a small but meaningful defiance against hardship. Despite strict rationing, communities rallied together to share resources and recipes to ensure birthdays, weddings and even afternoon teas could still be celebrated.Sweet Victory is a nostalgic collection of authentic wartime cakes recipes, drawn from IWM's archives. From carrot cake, ginger cake and traditional sponges to an inventive sugarless cake, these recipes offer a nostalgic taste of wartime Britain.

Spitfire: Blueprint of an Icon is an engaging tribute to an aircraft that became the symbol of Britain's wartime resilience and ingenuity. Sleek, powerful and unforgettable, the Spitfire didn't just fight in the skies, it defined an era.This beautifully designed giftbook journeys through the Spitfire's legendary story. From its revolutionary design and unmatched performance to the daring pilots who flew it, discover what makes this aircraft a true icon of aviation.Drawing on IWM's rich visual collections and firsthand testimony, this book explores the Spitfire's role in pivotal battles, its evolution and its enduring legacy, while answering one intriguing question: what makes an icon?

From muddy football pitches on the Western Front to makeshift volleyball courts in Afghanistan, sport has always found a place, even in times of war. This fascinating book explores the powerful role of sport during conflict, drawing on the rich collections of IWM.Covering the First and Second World Wars, the Cold War and contemporary conflicts, Sport and War reveals how games and competitions offered moments of escape, camaraderie and resilience in times of hardship. Discover stories of football matches played in the trenches, the rise of women's sport during wartime and the ingenuity of prisoners of war who created equipment from whatever they could find. Learn how the Olympics and Paralympics became stages for political tension and recovery, and how fitness and recreation remain vital for service personnel today.Illustrated with striking photographs, artworks, posters and personal testimonies from letters, diaries and oral histories, this collection brings to life the human stories behind sport in wartime. From professional athletes who served on the frontlines to everyday soldiers finding solace in a shared game, these accounts show how sport has shaped - and been shaped by - conflict.

More than 170,000 British prisoners of war (POWs) were taken by German and Italian forces during the Second World War. Conditions were tough. Rations were meagre. The days dragged and there was a constant battle against boredom. The men, but not officers, had to work, often at heavy labour. Guests of the Third Reich will provide an overview of what daily life was like for prisoners, from staging theatre productions to keep morale up to working allotments and planning audacious escape attempts. Utilising IWM's collections of letters, diaries, memoirs and sound interviews, this gripping, poignant narrative conveys the story of those in captivity in Germany during the Second World War in a personal and engaging way. Also featured are a selection of photographs from the IWM archive, giving a rare glimpse inside these infamous internment camps.

Christmas has been regularly celebrated during wartime. From the Christmas truce of 1914 out in no-mans land on the Western Front, to POWs cooking up their very unique Christmas dinners with whatever they could get their hands on in German prisoner of war camps in the 1940s, the privations and difficulties caused by conflict has never stopped people indulging in a little Christmas cheer. This highly illustrated gift book tells the stories of those who lived through these challenging times, when wrapping paper was banned, rationing was in force and children were separated from their families. Also included are tips and tricks to create recycled presents and greetings cards, and recipes to cook a delicious wartime Christmas meal. Wartime Christmas explores the dichotomy apparent in celebrating 'peace to all men' while continuing to fight a war of aggression.

Thirty new and classic cocktail recipes inspired by the colorful and controversial Winston Churchill.This charming book from the Imperial War Museums features dozens of cocktail recipes, each accompanied by detailed instructions, an ingredients list, and a short description of how the drink is inspired by British former head of state Winston Churchill. Photographs of the cocktails at Churchill War Rooms or the Churchill Bar accompany each recipe, and archival images of Churchill himself, drawn from the Imperial War Museums collection, tie the volume together. Published in association with the Churchill Bar at the Hyatt Regency Churchill in London, this is the ideal gift for anyone who likes a glass of something strong mixed with a splash of history.

A magical tale set one Christmas Eve, when all of Santa's reindeer caught colds and couldn't deliver any more presents, putting Christmas at risk for all the good girls and boys. Luckily, a plane everyone knows is on hand to save the day. Told in rhyme and featuring over 20 hand-drawn illustrations, this is the perfect gift for a kid at Christmas

Bring to life the aviation legends that took to the skies during World War Two with the Imperial War Museum's fantastic colouring book. Packed with stunning drawings with a vintage theme, including a Supermarine Spitfire, Lancaster Bomber and B-17 Flying Fortress, this colouring book features over 30 illustrations of iconic aircraft and features action-packed scenes from the air battles over Europe and beyond. Pick up your colouring pencils and be transported back to World War Two with this perfect gift for aviation lovers big or small!

A vibrant history of IWM Duxford's air shows, tracing its evolution across five decades. From the rare Spitfires of '75 to Concorde's ground-breaking displays and the dawn of Flying Legends, this pictorial celebration recalls Duxford's golden moments.

During the Second World War, Britain's skies were transformed by the drone of aircraft, factory workers toiled around the clock to produce new types of fighters and bombers, and newsreels told stirring stories of aircrews' courage and survival. From within the Ministry of Information in central London, dozens of artists were commissioned by the War Artists Advisory Committee to record these activities - among them Eric Ravilious, Eric Kennington, Paul Nash and Mervyn Peake.The Air War in Paintings reveals how the artists of the 1940s responded to the unfolding air war in Britain, illuminating their private anxieties, ambitions and experiences. Drawing on IWM's unrivalled collection, this richly illustrated book explores how art was used to build an intimate record of the RAF and the wider war effort at that crucial time.

Colour in the amazing animal heroes from IWM's unique collection of stories.Throughout wartime, our animal friends have helped humans in marvellous ways, showing their bravery, strength and loyalty. Here we tell the real stories of these heroic animals through over 30 illustrations. You'll meet search-and-rescue dog Jet, Simon the mischievous cat, Wojtek the greedy bear, and many more!

The summer of 1945 was one that remained in the memory of all those who witnessed it. It brought an end to nearly six years of war in Europe and beyond. A war that cost the lives of millions and destroyed the homes, livelihoods and families of almost all that experienced it. Millions of people across Britain rejoiced in the news that both Germany and Japan had surrendered, relieved that the intense strain of ‘total war’ was finally over. In towns and cities across the country, people marked the victory with street parties, dancing and singing.Using rare archival footage from IWM’s unique collection, this flipbook brings to life that celebratory summer.IWM has managed a Film Archive since it was first established in 1917. The constantly growing collection extends to over 23,000 hours of moving images, representing a wide and diverse range of material from public and service information films, documentaries and unedited combat film, through to official newsreels and amateur films.

During the First World War, millions of soldiers saw the poppies in Flanders fields on the Western Front. Some even sent pressed poppies home in letters. Over 100 years later, the poppy is still a world-recognised symbol of remembrance of the First World War, and many of us choose to wear a red poppy in November. The poppy continues to capture our imaginations, reminding us to remember the human cost of war.Through archival photographs, objects and artworks from IWM’s collections, this beautifully illustrated giftbook tells the poignant story of the remembrance poppy, from its origins on the battlefields of Flanders during the First World War to its enduring role as a symbol of remembrance today.

The devastation caused by the Nazi regime during the Second World War was vast and multifaceted, leaving a profound and lasting impact on the world. In response, the Allies brought the leading civilian and military representatives of wartime Germany and Japan to trial on charges of war crimes, crimes against peace and crimes against humanity. The Nuremberg trials went on to become arguably the most famous trials in history, bringing some measure of justice to the millions persecuted and devastated by the Nazi regime.Drawing on documents, witness testimony and visual material from IWM's collections, this publication captures the importance and complexity of the trials that attempted to bring the Nazi war criminals to justice. It examines the events as they unfolded, from the creation of a new 'system' of justice, to the selection of defendants and evidence, to the frameworks and legacies that laid the foundation for modern international law and human rights as we know it.

This book offers a powerfully intimate account of the Battle of Britain, related by young pilots in their most unguarded moments, talking with their chaplain. Guy Mayfield was the Station Chaplain at the Royal Air Force's Duxford base in the summer of 1940, and his diary is full of stories told by the pilots in his charge during that period of heroism and danger. Mayfield's notes on his conversations deliver unique insights into the mindset of these young men as they took to the skies night after night, risking death to defend their homes and countrymen. Rounded out with photographs of the men and a context-setting narrative by historian Carl Warner, the book gives us moving insights into the men who, through their commitment and sacrifice, ensured that Britain would survive its finest hour.

This gift book is collection of delightful and unusual recipes from the Second World War. Taken from the archives of IWM, the recipes show the ingenuity and creativity behind dishes rustled up out of meagre rations - from austerity recipes such as scrap bread pudding, potato pastry and sheep's heart pie to hearty English favourites including Lancashire hot pot, Queen's Pudding and crumpets. With colour images of wartime posters throughout and an introduction by an IWM historian, it is a fascinating look into what people ate in wartime.

The major art installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red at the Tower of London marked one hundred years since the first full day of Britain's involvement in the First World War. Created by artists Paul Cummins and Tom Piper, 888,246 ceramic poppies progressively filled the Tower's famous moat between 17 July and 11 November 2014. Each poppy represented a British military fatality during the war. The poppies encircled the iconic landmark, creating a spectacular display visible from all around the Tower, which attracted more than 5 million visitors. The scale of the installation was intended to reflect the magnitude of such an important centenary and create a powerful visual commemoration. Featuring forewords by Paul Cummins and Tom Piper and stunning photography of the installation, The Poppies: Blood Red Lands and Seas of Red is the only official publication to mark this landmark event. As thousands of the poppies used in the installation tour the country during the remainder of the First World War Centenary, this publication will undoubtedly prove popular with visitors to both the Tower and the new venues alike.

From the worst horrors of modern trench warfare a small handful of soldiers and nurses created a body of poetry that is so vivid and intense that one hundred years later it has engraved itself on our national consciousness. Most anthologies of First World War poetry include quite uneven poems by many different poets, seeking to represent the wide range of war poetry that was written during the conflict. It can be hard to find your way through single poems by so many different voices. Instead, this anthology will be distinctive in focusing only on the most iconic figures of the war to explore their work in more depth. They include Rupert Brooke, Charles Hamilton Sorley, Robert Graves and Siegfried Sassoon. Wilfred Owen, Isaac Rosenberg, and Edward Thomas will be particularly well represented, but so will three poets whose reputation is still growing: Ivor Gurney, Edmund Blunden and David Jones. It will also include powerful poems by three nurses who served in France: Vera Brittain, Mary Borden and May Cannan. The poems are accompanied by a brief and accessible introduction, which sets the context for a reader new to the poems, as well as short biographical profiles of the poets.

During World War II, London was at its most perilous moment since the Great Fire of 1666. Districts were transformed at night by falling bombs, fires, and searchlights. During the day, when the results of the previous night's bombing were laid bare, ordinary people dealt with the aftermath as best they could. In 1939, the Ministry of Information set up the War Artists Advisory Committee (WAAC) to compile an artistic record of Britain during the war. After the war had ended, more than half of the paintings commissioned--some three thousand works--ended up in the Imperial War Museums collection.Wartime London in Paintings showcases seventy oil paintings from the IWM's unmatched collection in one stunning illustrated volume, portraying the ordinary and the extraordinary of London at the time. Featuring works by some of the most famous war artists of the conflict--including Graham Sutherland, Henry Moore, Edward Ardizzone, and more--this incredible visual exploration of a wartime city gives readers a firsthand look at how London coped during one of the most significant periods of its history.