Line-up announced for IWM History Festival at Duxford

The festival takes place at IWM Duxford on Saturday, November 23 and Sunday, November 24, and features more than 30 expert and author-led sessions.

Among this year's events, James Holland will give a personal highlights tour of AirSpace, historian Damien Lewis will uncover the true tale of 'Churchill's Mavericks', and Dr Helen Fry will tell extraordinary stories of inspirational women in the fight for peace.

Author Clare Mulley at last year's IWM History Festival (Image: IWM) Visitors can also take part in exclusive tours, attend book signings and view items from IWM's collection up close.

Tickets for the Saturday are available from https://www.iwm.org.uk/iwm-history-festival/saturday-programme-and-tickets, while tickets for the Sunday are available from https://www.iwm.org.uk/iwm-history-festival/sunday-programme-and-tickets, costing £50 for each day.

Attendees can personalise their day by choosing which sessions to attend, building their own programme and exploring the museum's hangars and exhibition spaces in between.

The WAAF telephone operators in the Sector ‘G’ Operations Room at RAF Duxford. (Image: IWM) Saturday highlights include personal tours with historian James Holland and author Dilip Sarkar, who will guide visitors around their favourite areas of the museum, and book signings with Damien Lewis and Dr Helen Fry.

Guides from IWM will also provide a rare opportunity to explore the iconic P-51 Mustang.

On Sunday, journalist and military historian Sir Max Hastings will take visitors on an after-hours tour of AirSpace, exploring his favourite aircraft.

IWM History Festival will take place Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 November at IWM Duxford (Image: IWM) In the author sessions, Dermot Turing will unveil untold stories in the Cipher War, Clare Mulley will uncover Agent Zo, the forgotten heroine of the Second World War, and Damien Lewis will unwrap the true story behind the film The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

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Adam Kendall, head of commercial services at IWM Duxford, said: "There is nowhere more fitting for a history festival than IWM Duxford, Britain’s best preserved Second World War airfield with history around every turn.

"This year’s event will see renowned historians and much-loved authors join our own team of expert guides to entertain and inform attendees on a wide array of fascinating Second World War topics.

"It’s the perfect chance to divulge a particular area of interest or perhaps learn about something entirely new. The choice is yours!"

Visitors will be able to view items in IWM Duxford's collection up close (Image: IWM) Discover the history and legacy of the 78th Fighter Group at IWM History Festival (Image: IWM)