The Sounds of War

IWM's holds the largest oral history collection of its type in the world, including some of the most evocative sounds of war and peace from the last century. This collection of over 3,000 sound recordings is commercially available and includes the genuine sound of a First World War gas shell bombardment and Blitz air raid sirens. 

Military sound effects and beyond

As well as wartime recordings of live gun fire, discover army vehicle sounds from tanks, planes and fighter jets. The collection is also notable for sound recordings that capture a sense of time and place, such as 1945 monsoon conditions in Burma. 

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In addition to these sound recordings, search our collection of over 33,000 audio recordings. Personal stories of war and conflict are told in oral history interviews, covering a range of experiences, from soldiers to factory workers.

Our unique sound collection has formed the basis for academic research as well as featuring in bestselling books, podcasts, documentaries and other media platforms. Submit an enquiry to find out more about accessing this historical data, pricing options and how it can support your work.

A trusted resource

Imperial War Museums (IWM) is a British national museum founded in 1917 to record the story of the Great War and later expanded to include all military operations in which British or Commonwealth forces have been involved.

IWM’s collections are a multi-media resource representing the human experience of conflict. As the official repository for materials produced by British government entities including the Army Film and Photographic Unit (AFPU), IWM holds delegated authority from The National Archives to license the re-use of Crown Copyright archival film and photographs

Contact IWM's Image and Film Licensing team to translate historic collections into successful products.

Image © IWM TR 197