The Battle of Britain

The battle begins, summer 1940
The battle begins, summer 1940

After defeating France in June 1940, Hitler assumed Britain would sue for peace but ordered his armed forces to prepare for invasion. Hermann Goering assured him that a sustained air assault would destroy the RAF, winning the air superiority needed.
A Heinkel He 111 bomber flying over London, September 1940
A Heinkel He 111 bomber flying over London, September 1940

July 1940 saw German planes target shipping in the Channel, drawing the RAF into combat, before radar stations, communications centres and airfields faced round-the-clock bombing in August. The battle reached a climax with attacks on London in September.
The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF)
The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF)

Joan 'Elizabeth' Mortimer, Elspeth Henderson and Helen Turner of the WAAF. All three received the Military Medal for courageous conduct during attacks on Biggin Hill airfield. Biggin Hill suffered a total of ten major attacks between 30 Aug and 5 Sept.
Non-British personnel in the RAF
Non-British personnel in the RAF

A group of pilots of No. 303 (Polish) Squadron RAF return from a sortie. The first Polish squadrons were formed in the summer of 1940. Pilots came from several other countries, including Australia, Canada, Czechoslovakia, New Zealand and the USA.
Sector 'G' Operations Room at RAF Duxford
Sector 'G' Operations Room at RAF Duxford

RAF Duxford was a Sector Station in 12 Group, responsible for defending the Midlands and East Anglia. As the fighting intensified, Duxford's squadrons were called on to support 11 Group's defence of London and the south-east.
Hawker Hurricane Mk Is of No. 85 Squadron RAF
Hawker Hurricane Mk Is of No. 85 Squadron RAF

Despite incessant attacks, the RAF's defences held. The Luftwaffe could not continue, and in the autumn switched to 'nuisance' raids and night operations. The failure to defeat the RAF convinced Hitler to postpone his invasion plans indefinitely.

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I Make a Good Soup - Says Potato Pete
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the right half, with text in black within a large speech bubble to the left. Further text in black is placed at the bottom of the design. image: cartoon character Potato Pete holding aloft a steaming bowl of potato soup...
I'm a Protective Food - Says Potato Pete
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
1417402 PST 16979 is a variant in large streamer format
I'm an Energy Food - Says Potato Pete
(posters) Made by: Unknown
image: cartoon character Potato Pete leaping into a wicker shopping basket
Keep On Your Toes With Potatoes
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the right quarter. The title and text is separate and placed in the left three-quarters, in black, held within a white inset. All set against a blue background. image: a depiction of a cartoon character called Potato...
I'm a Protective Food - Says Potato Pete
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the left third. The title and text is separate and placed in the right two-thirds, in black, held within a white inset. All set against a blue background. image: a depiction of a cartoon character called Potato Pete...
I'm Tip-top Food Value
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the right quarter. The title and text is separate and placed in the left three-quarters, in black, held within a white inset. All set against a blue background. image: a depiction of a cartoon character called Potato...
You Need Me for Proper Nourishment
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
whole: the image is positioned in the left third. The title and text is separate and placed in the right two-thirds, in black, held within a white inset. All set against a blue background. image: a depiction of a cartoon character called Potato Pete...
I'm an Energy Food - Says Potato Pete
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
PST 3746 is a variant of this poster in a 'streamer' format
They Use Me on the Kitchen Front - Says Potato Pete
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
1417302
Spuds are the Goods! - Says Potato Pete
(posters) Made by: Unknown (artist)
1417202