Imperial War Museums - Blitz

 

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IWM in Conversation with: Steve McQueen Tickets now on sale Join Blitz director Steve McQueen, Blitz historical advisor Joshua Levine, and IWM Director General Caro Howell at IWM London to celebrate the film’s release. Find out about the true stories which inspired Blitz and how Steve approached bringing one of the most tumultuous periods in London's history to the screen. Afterwards, you'll have a chance to ask questions and enjoy after-hours entry to the Second World War Galleries and Blavatnik Art, Film & Photography Galleries. Tickets are limited and will sell fast. Book your tickets now.

Imperial War Museums - HMS Belfast: A lifetime of epic adventures

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HMS Belfast: A lifetime of epic adventures Step on board an iconic London landmark. Navigate your way around this floating city, climbing up and down ladders to visit all nine decks.   Hear stories from the 950 people who lived on board. Discover the ship's globe-trotting history, from firing some of the first shots on D-Day, to enduring freezing conditions in the Arctic and serving in the Korean War. Plan your visit to HMS Belfast today. Life on Deck: A Guided Tour Wednesdays at 10:15am Enhance your visit with a guided tour of HMS Belfast's sprawling main deck. Book Now We Were There Family Day 1 November, HMS Belfast Meet our volunteer veterans and hear stories from the ship's lifetime of epic adventures. Learn More IWM in Conversation with:  Damien Lewis 23 October, HMS Belfast Join the bestselling author as he discusses his latest book, SAS: Daggers Drawn. Book Now   Volunteer with IWM From welcoming visitors to our branches to conservation on board HMS Belfast, help us tell stories of lives altered by conflict. Register your interest today.  Learn More

 

Imperial War Museums - Beware Blue Skies, an event from the IWM Institute

 

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Beware Blue Skies: The Psychology and Ethics of Drone Warfare Book Now Armed drones have become a pervasive and ever-present feature of modern warfare Join us at IWM London on 14 November for Beware Blue Skies, a panel discussion and Q&A exploring the psychology and ethics of drone warfare. By using remotely operated drones, militaries are able to prevent the risk of troops being physically harmed. Despite this, there are momentous ethical dilemmas involved in the use of armed drones in warfare. The damage radius of a strike often exceeds the use of ground troops, and the collateral loss of civilian life can be significant. Meanwhile, drones are used in shadowy undeclared warzones, often under questionable legal pretences. So what are the considerations involved in using drones in war? What is the impact of drone warfare on local civilian populations? And what does the future of drone warfare look like as AI is increasingly integrated into the battlefield? Beware Blue Skies is presented by the IWM Institute, IWM's research and knowledge exchange hub. Find out more and book your tickets.  This IWM Institute Live event is part of IWM London's upcoming War and the Mind exhibition, opening 27 September.   IWM In Conversation With: Helen Fry 12 September, IWM London Join author Helen Fry for a discussion of her new book, Why I Became an X Troop Commando: The Life of Colin Anson, telling the story of Colin Anson, a German-Jewish refugee who fought for Britain with a commando force of German and Austrian citizens. Following the talk, you’ll have a chance to ask your questions before enjoying a viewing of the Second World War Galleries. Find Out More       More IWM In Conversation With events Richard Overy 2 October IWM London   Join Richard Overy for an in-depth discussion around his latest book Why War?, which explores how humanity is repeatedly drawn into conflict, despite understanding its horror. Overy will discuss how warfare becomes a legitimate option – why it’s part of our past, and likely to be part of our future.   Find Out More Damien Lewis 23 October HMS Belfast Join bestselling author Damien Lewis aboard HMS Belfast to discuss his latest book, SAS: Daggers Drawn. Following the conversation, ask your questions in a live Q&A session and meet Lewis to have your book copy signed. Then enjoy exclusive after-hours entry to HMS Belfast's decks.   Find Out More

Imperial War Museums - The Riskiest Mission of the Second World War

 

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Operation 'Postmaster': the most daring mission of the Second World War Operation 'Postmaster' was an audacious mission involving deception, blackmail and espionage like never before seen in 20th century warfare.  The British operation was the first to involve a special forces organisation formed by newly-appointed Prime Minister Winston Churchill. While the rewards for a successful mission were great, the consequences if the operation failed could have proven catastrophic. Watch the video on our YouTube channel to hear Damien Lewis discussing Operation 'Postmaster' and his latest book, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, the inspiration behind a new film directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Henry Cavill. Damien will also be discussing the book and film adaptation live at IWM History Festival, coming to IWM Duxford this November. Find out more. IWM History Festival 2024 IWM Duxford 23 and 24 November As Damien Lewis’s book The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare leaps from the pages to the screen, discover the challenges of bringing this gripping narrative to life. Learn about the casting, the historical accuracy, and the adrenaline-fueled action sequences that will captivate audiences in the film directed by Guy Ritchie. This year's IWM History Festival programme also includes talks by Helen Fry, who will explore the role of women during the First and Second World Wars, historian James Holland, discussing his new book Cassino '44, which details the bloodiest battles of the Italian campaign in the Second World War, a live stream with Donald L. Miller, author of Masters of the Air, and more. Don't miss the return of IWM History Festival, designed for those with a real passion for history. See the full timetable.

Imperial War Museums - What's on for families this summer

 

Family activities this summer across our branches Plan Your Visit Planning a family day out this summer holiday? There’s plenty to do and discover across IWM's branches. Little explorers and big kids welcome.  Explore IWM London’s galleries with our Story Seekers trail, discover how disguise and deception were used leading up to D-Day at IWM North, build your own Airspeed Horsa glider at IWM Duxford and learn to decipher Morse Code on board HMS Belfast. Find out more about what’s on offer below.  Story Seekers Story Seekers: Stan Hollis IWM London  Daily from until 1 September Through object handling and source analysis, discover more about Stan Hollis, the only soldier to win a Victoria Cross on D-Day.   Explore our galleries and discover compelling real-life stories with your family. Free entry.   Find Out More Story Seekers: D-Day Disguise and Deception IWM North  Daily until 1 September   Explore the real stories detailing methods of disguise and deception used leading up to D-Day.    From building fake tanks to dropping dummy paratroopers, learn more with our Story Seekers trolley and new activity sheet. Free entry.   Find Out More   Life At Sea: Morse Mice! HMS Belfast  Daily until 1 September   It’s 1944 and the Morse Mice are receiving messages suggesting that HMS Belfast is about to be involved in something big.   Explore the ship to decipher the Morse Code and reveal HMS Belfast's destination to the crew. You will even be able to create your very own medal inspired by the ship. Free with general admission. Find Out More       Family Hub Who's Rupert?  IWM London  Daily from until 1 September The Allies used deception tactics to trick the Germans on D-Day. One of their plans involved ‘Ruperts’. But what is a Rupert?  Join us this summer to find out and make a Rupert of your own.  Free entry.   Find Out More D-Day: Weather or Not IWM North  Daily until 1 September Discover the importance weather in the preparation for D-Day. Learn about the people who forecasted the weather and how they did it.    Build a windmill or cloud finder, or learn to track phases of the moon. Free entry.   Find Out More   D Day: What could go wrong? IWM North  13 August and 14 August Join actor and presenter Ben Shires in a live show that explores the planning and preparation for D-Day. Discover how fake tanks fooled the Germans and find out about the weather conditions needed for this huge operation to succeed. Find Out More       Family activities at IWM Duxford Free with general admission Gliders of D-Day: Airborne Soldiers Daily until 1 September Learn about how gliders were used to transport troops and supplies on D-Day. Take part in our challenge, build your own glider and land it as close to the target as possible.   Find Out More You've Got Mail! The Americans at Duxford Daily until 1 September Explore stories of Americans in the UK during the Second World War.  Watch the film shown to US soldiers about British customs, then hunt down the top tips they were given in our new trail.    Find Out More   Author Tom Palmer and his dog Finn   Author's Table: Tom Palmer IWM North 6 August Tom Palmer is a writer of historical fiction for children. His books are used across the UK and beyond to teach children about the First and Second World Wars. In this talk, perfect for budding writers, Tom will explore how he creates his stories and explain his writing process. Find Out More       We Were There: Family Day Meet veterans and eyewitnesses of conflict to gain a unique insight into the impact of war on people’s lives. You will hear an array of personal stories and powerful memories from those who have experienced conflict first-hand, ranging from driving an Army tank to being evacuated from the place they called home. Find our special guests throughout IWM's branches this summer holiday.   IWM London 6, 13, 20, 17 August IWM North 7, 14, 21, 28 August HMS Belfast 2, 9, 16, 24 August IWM Duxford 31 July and 7, 14, 21 August