The Battle Of Britain Weather Diary

[Coast]

19th September 1940

Heavy cloud continued throughout the day and rain periods, heavy at times were experienced over much of Britain. The Channel areas had very low cloud base with early morning fog and mist patches in coastal districts.

Waking up to a rather dismal and damp morning, it was obvious to many of the British pilots that it was certainly not going to be a day that one should be up there in that dull grey murk and they hoped that the Luftwaffe would see it in the same way. They were not going to be disappointed. Radar stations along the Channel coast were idle, the CRT screens blank.

RAF Bomber Command

4 Group (Whitley). Bombing - marshalling yards at Mannheim. 78 Sqn. Eight aircraft. Five bombed primary, three bombed alternatives. Bad weather prevented many planned ops

RAF Fighter Command

Ironically, it was not on the south coast that the first attacks of the day occurred. A small formation made a surprise attack on Liverpool at 0950hrs. No serious damage was done as most of the enemy aircraft were flying in singly or in pairs. Later in the morning, a number of Ju88s were detected heading towards London. These were met by 249 Sqn North Weald and 302 Sqn Duxford over north Kent. The Ju88s were scattered and were turned back with one of the bombers being shot down by F/O J.Kowalski of 302 Sqn at 1130hrs and it crashed near Bury St Edmunds. Another was to sustain engine damage and crash landed near Cambridge.

1050hrs: During the rest of the day, the Luftwaffe make a number of reconnaissance flights over the Channel and off the English east coast over the North Sea. Other aircraft are assumed to mine laying duties and Fighter Command decides to leave them alone as they are posing no threat. One of the aircraft, a Ju88 from 1/KG51 was spotted crossing the coast near Harwich at 1045hrs and was soon intercepted by British fighters and it crashed on the coast near Orfordness. Everything was rather quiet up until 1600hrs when radar picked up small blips off the coast near Swanage. Green section of 152 Sqn consisting of two Spitfires was scrambled from Warmwell. The pilots were P/O Williams and P/O "Duchy" K.C. Holland. Just after take off they realized that Williams' radio was not functioning so the Australian assumed the leaders position. Not long afterwards a bandit was sighted over the Channel and Holland signalled Williams to go below the cloud base while he remained above it. The German plane, a Ju88, disappeared into the murk but moments later it reappeared about two miles in front.

Holland closed in; making alternate quarter attacks from left and right. Aiming first at the gunner’s positions and then at each engine, Holland opened fire. There seemed to be a free cannon firing at his Spitfire from the port side of the cockpit but this stopped after Holland's first burst. There were also machine guns firing from each side of the cockpit as he swept in from each direction. Altogether he made six attacks until he ran out of ammunition. The Ju88 is badly battered and Holland watched as it dived into the sea, those killed were Oberfw. Luckard and Unffz. Henker while Fw.Walter and Gefr. Roeder were listed as missing.

152 Sqn taken in September 1940. "Duchy" Holland is kneeling on the far right in the front row.

Across the Channel, the Germans were busy during the day cleaning up the Channel ports from Calais to Antwerp after Wellington's, Hamden’s and Whitley’s unleashed another successful night attack on the barges during the night of the 18th/19th September. It was the biggest operation yet by Bomber Command on the barge installations when 194 bombers were involved. Of these, 187 crews reported that their mission was successful. Of this number, only one Hampden was lost while another was lost on a separate mine laying mission. With the events of September 15th still fresh when the Luftwaffe suffered tremendous losses, and the weather that was by now deteriorating and the prospect that no further improvement could be seen in the foreseeable future, Hitler formally announces that 'under the present circumstances it is not possible to contemplate any invasion plans against England.'

The invasion was now postponed indefinitely and there would be no further discussion on the matter until the spring when the weather conditions would more suited to any implementation of an invasion. Of course, this was not known in England although as to whether British Intelligence or Fighter Command intercepted any message, has never been recorded. Plans had been put into place where the majority of German troops based on the North French coast, were given fresh orders and posted to alternative fronts. Most of them were to go towards the east in preparation for "Operation Barbarosa" that was to take place the following year, some had been sent to Crete while the remaining troops dismantled all the barges at the various ports along the Channel coast

The aftermath of a German air raid, Portman Street, London, 19th September 1940

But although all plans had been postponed, that was not say that hostilities against Britain were to cease. Air attacks were to continue, especially at night. The regular daylight sortie was still to occur which kept Fighter Command busy, but the continuous bombing of British cities and towns was to achieve nothing, except that Hitler hoped that it would demoralize the people. But in actual effect it had the opposite. The Luftwaffe bombed Britain, the stronger the people became. They were true to their word, "they can bomb us as much as they like, they can come over night after night but the will never, never break our spirit."

Inclement weather conditions in the evening curtailed many German operations although scattered attacks did occur. Mine laying continued along the coastline, Northumberland and County Durham were bombed although no serious damage was reported. Liverpool prepared for night raids and many sirens sounded, but it appears that enemy aircraft kept well out into the Irish Sea as no attack was made on the city. A formation of German bombers was detected off the Welsh coast at 1950hrs and appeared to be heading for the port of Liverpool, but they were lost and there was no record of them reaching Liverpool.

The London area came under warning signals at 1955hrs and a number of separate raids on the capital commenced at 2100hrs and damage was done at Heston aerodrome in Middlesex when bombs destroyed a hangar and a number of buildings. Thirteen aircraft were damaged, some seriously. These included Spitfires of the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit, a Wellington bomber that was 'just visiting' and the famous Lockheed 12A that was used by the famous war photographer Sidney Cotton. In London, a bomb exploded at the entrance to a large air raid shelter in the borough of Tottenham and estimates put the casualty count at about 70. Bombs fell at Edmonton, Golders Green and Willesden, but damage was not serious.

By 2100hrs, much of the heavy cloud cover either thinned out or cleared, especially in the North Wales and north west coast of England and a number of enemy aircraft were spotted. Most came under AA gunfire, but there were no reports of any of the bombers being brought down. The weather seriously hampered Bomber Commands operations. Only a handful of Blenheims left for a raid on Dunkirk Harbour bombing German shipping and buildings. In general, it was a day of spasmodic and scattered raids, quite often only consisting of a single German bomber. The weather conditions undoubtedly contributed to the fact that the Luftwaffe conducted no major operations. Compared to the heavy activity of previous days, Fighter Command took the advantage of moving some of those squadrons that had been under intense pressure over the last few weeks to quieter pastures. 234 Squadron that had been in the thick of things while at Middle Wallop and had earlier been moved to Warmwell, now were relaxed to St Eval who were exchanged for 238 Sqn who were sent to Middle Wallop. 610 Sqn were moved from Croydon to Acklington.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 9

Excluding about six Luftwaffe bombers that crashed on landing on internal flights or crashed on take off, there were a number of them that crashed after being involved in operations against the RAF. One Ju88 of 4(F)/121 had to make a forced landing at Oakington aerodrome due to engine failure while on a photo-reconnaissance flight and was involved with British fighters and its crew captured. Another Ju88 of 5(F)/122 was involved in a British fighter attack and had to return to base carrying one dead and one seriously injured crewmember. A Do17 of 7/KG2 was attacked by Spitfires over southern England and although it managed to return to France it crashed. Another Do17 of 2/KG3 was believed to have suffered damage from AA gunfire and crashed on landing causing minor damage to the aircraft. Fighters shot down a Ju88 over London with all the crew either killed or missing. A He111 of 4/KG4 was pursued by Hurricanes over the Thames Estuary and was last seen heading out towards the North Sea and was presumed to have crashed into the sea. The crew of a He111 were captured after their aircraft was brought down by AA gunfire near Bishops Stortford in Hertfordshire.

RAF

It was just the second time during the battle that Fighter Command did not suffer any casualties with the exception of one aircraft of 257 Sqn Debden that suffered engine failure while on convoy patrol but landed safely.

In Germany, Hitler formally ordered the assembly of the invasion fleet to be stopped, and the shipping in the Channel ports to be dispersed ' so that the loss of shipping space caused by enemy air attacks may be reduced to a minimum'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BKFWURCZ4g

[Coast]

20th September 1940

The morning was reasonably fair with scattered cloud with showers by midday, which continued throughout the day. It was another of those mornings where there was an abundance of blue sky and scattered cloud, but the radar screens at the south coast radar stations were totally clear.

RAF Bomber Command

4 Group (Whitley). Bombing - marshalling yards at Hamm - Flushing Docks- industrial targets at Brussels, Krefeld, Mannheim and Osnabruck.10 Sqn. Ten aircraft to Hamm. All bombed, four damaged by Flak. 58 Sqn. Three aircraft to Osnabruck. All bombed. Two aircraft to Mannheim, both bombed. One aircraft to Flushing. Bombed.77 Sqn. Seven aircraft to Krefeld, Brussels and Flushing. All bombed.

Wellington T2463 (Coded: E-AA) of 75 Sqn took off at 21.15 hrs from Feltwell, Norfolk to bomb the invasion barges moored in channel ports. The aircraft was hit by A.A fire from Alpha battery sited west of Ostend. As a result of which the aircraft caught fire and crashed in flames at 23.00 hrs that evening. The son of Sgt Green, Michael, relates the story:

Sgt. Alfred Joseph Green was 2nd pilot of Wellington T2463, E-AA, on the night of 19th September 1940. The pilot and captain that night, P/O. Michael R Braun (Austrian extraction) alone baled out and landed within the small town of Leffinge, just west of Ostend. He was severely wounded, apparently, according to locals who recall the incident, by small arms fire from the occupying forces. He died from his injuries in Ostend Municipal Hospital that same night. The other 5 crew, consisting of distressingly few physical remains, were buried in one coffin in Leffinge churchyard. The costs for all that was involved to attempt recovery and organise a funeral as best they were able, were totally borne by the local people of Leffinge

P/O. Michael Ryves Braun, Sgt. Alfred Joseph Green, Sgt. Lindsay Douglas Anderson Sgt. Joseph Edward McCormick Air/Gnr: Sgt. Lewis Alan White (D.F.M.) and Air/Gnr Sgt. Norman McDonald all Killed

RAF Fighter Command

Pilots at most of the airfields had checked out their aircraft and waited patiently lazing around. Some flights from individual squadrons made routine patrols of the south coast, but nothing. it In the quieter moments, many of the newer pilots are given further training by the more experienced pilots. Fighter Command had taken the opportunity in reinforcing many of the squadrons with fresh aircraft and an influx of new pilots. New pilots maybe, but with very little experience.

The quiet of the early morning was broken at 1030hrs when radar picked up a German formation that was coming across the Channel from the direction of Calais and by 1100hrs a formation of 20 plus Bf109s at 15,000 feet crossed the coast at Dungeness, with other formations of 50 plus Bf109 aircraft crossing the coast in the region of Dover. The radar at Foreness picked up another formation that had stayed out to sea and came in through the Thames Estuary. This was another change of tactic by the Luftwaffe, although it was not the first time that they had sent in Bf109s en masse on daytime attacking raids. Fighter Command released fifteen squadrons including 72 Sqn and 92 Sqn Biggin Hill 222 Sqn Hornchurch 253 Sqn Kenley and 605 Sqn Croydon. The Luftwaffe in this attack had the upper hand by sheer weight of numbers.

Is was a possibility that both waves of German fighters were targeting London, but over the Kentish countryside, what the RAF fighter pilots lacked in numbers they made up for in skill - even if they did sustain many casualties. The combat action continued over the fields of Kent and at the mouth of the Thames near Southend and Sheppey with neither formation making much progress towards their objective. One of the first aircraft of Fighter Command to go down was the Spitfire of P/O H.L.Whitbread of 222 Sq at 1115hrs. A Bf109 came from above and took him by surprise and the Spitfire crashed at Higham near Rochester killing the pilot.

At about 1130hrs, 253 Sqn had three Hurricanes shot down between Ashford and Maidstone. All three pilots, P/O A.R.H.Barton, Sgt A.R.Innes and an unnamed pilot all escaped serious injury. P/O W.J.Glowacki was unhurt as his Hurricane of 605 Sqn was hit by gunfire from a Bf109 but was one of the lucky ones in being able to return to base. By 1135hrs, 92 Sqn lost two pilots when they became seriously involved in combat in the Dover/Dungeness area. P/O H.P.Hill was one of the ten squadron pilots to take off from Biggin Hill to join up with Spitfire's of 41 Sqn to patrol over Gravesend at 5000 feet. The rendezvous was not made and 92 Sqn climbed to 20,000 feet to be vectored south to 27,000 feet. North of Dungeness the Spitfire's were attacked from above and behind by a force of Bf 109's. A warning from 92 Sqn's leader was too late to prevent the rear section being attacked. Hill's Spitfire was one of the first hit and he went down in flames crashing into high trees at West Hougham Nr Dover. The aircraft lodged high in the branches and was not discovered until a month later. Hill was the victim of one of the Luftwaffe's leading aces, Werner Mölders from JG 51. Another Spitfire flown by P.R.Eyles was also a victim of Mölders, crashing in the Channel.

92 Sqn pilots, September 1940

Although mass daylight attacks had occurred with the use of Bf109 fighters only, they were causing more than a headache for Fighter Command. The sheer weight of numbers was causing all sorts of headaches for both Hurricane and Spitfire squadrons. The techniques involved when fighter was against fighter and were quite different to those when the German Bf109s were involved with providing escort.

That morning’s attack was the only main combat of the day. But is had been a terrible blow to Fighter Command. Of the five pilots killed in the attack, four of them at least were experienced seasoned pilots, pilots that were still badly needed. The Bf109 pilots, whether experienced or not had this day gained a slight advantage by downing more British fighters than they had lost themselves. Maybe the Luftwaffe learnt by this result, and that in the days that followed, more Geschwaders of Bf109s would make the daylight attacks and try to make up for the disastrous losses that they had so far they experienced. At night London is bombed, along with Bath and targets in the Gloucester and Bristol areas.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 7

RAF

56 Sqn Hurricane L1595 C.V.Meeson killed. Crashed during formation flying practice at 1130hrs nr Amesbury

72 Sqn Spitfire X4410 D.F.Holland baled out of his Spitfire badly wounded, after combat over Canterbury at 1020hrs (died on admission to hospital)

92 Sqn Spitfire X4417 H.P.Hill killed when shot down at West Hougham Nr Dover and Spitfire N3248 P.R.Eyles Posted as missing. (Crashed into the Channel after being shot down by Werner Mölders)

222 Sqn Spitfire N3203 H.L.Whitbread shot down by Bf109s and crashed at Pond Cottage, thrown clear but died and Spitfire K9993 W.R.Assheton baled out with burns after an attack by a Bf 109

253 Sqn Hurricane R2686 A.R.H.Barton shot down by a Bf 109 over Kent at 1130hrs, severely wounded and did not return to operations until February 1941

[Coast]

21st September 1940

The day opened to scattered cloud although along the Estuary and the River Thames as far as London there was considerable haze. Once this cleared, most of the south was fine with scattered cloud but by midday cloud had started to build up. In the north there was cloud with sunny spells but it remained dry

RAF Bomber Command

4 Group. 51 Sqn. Whitley P5105 overshot Dishforth on night operations. Sgt V.W. Bruce and crew safe. Bombing - invasion fleet at Boulogne. 51 Sqn.Twelve aircraft. All bombed. Opposition severe. 78 Sqn. Ten aircraft. All bombed. Opposition severe.

RAF Fighter Command

As the previous day, there was no sign of the enemy - it was to remain that way for most of the day. Radar picked up an occasional aircraft, but these were believed to be on reconnaissance flights as they kept clear of the English coast. This was to be one of the quietest days of the battle, with more action being seen behind the scenes than in the air. The invasion of German troops on the island of Great Britain was to be called "Cromwell" and all stations had been placed on standby, as the possibility was always there that an invasion was always a possibility. But just as the Battle of Britain in the air seemed to be slowing down, so was the possibility of any German invasion for at least this year. Now, heading towards October, the days would be becoming shorter, the weather would soon deteriorate with the waters of the Channel becoming rougher and the signs from the German held Channel ports indicated that Bomber Command had all but destroyed any hope of the German infantry using the ports as a dispersal point for the Channel crossing.

But if one was to get the impression that tensions were easing, what with a day of very little combat action and "Cromwell" being cancelled.

Fighter Command was in fact strengthening its commitment to battle. One of the problems that they encountered was the fact that when radar picked up approaching enemy aircraft and formations, it was not known as to what type of aircraft they were until clarified by spotters or the Observer Corps. With the approach of German bombers, Keith Park had just enough time to scramble his fighters, get to the correct height to attack and intercept the enemy as it crossed the coast. But with this new tactic of sending formations of Bf109s, often in Geschwader force, there was not enough time to scramble the fighters and meet them as they crossed the coast. As experienced over the last few days and on those occasions that Bf109 formations made their intended attacks on British targets, they generally would be well over the coastline and much closer to London before they were intercepted by British fighters.

It was on this day that Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding was to authorise the formation of a new unit that was to become known as 421 Flight. This was instigated in collaboration with Keith park because it was now felt that with Bf109 formations that could cross the Channel quicker than the bombers that they once escorted, their would be no chance of British fighters intercepting them in time once they had been positively identified. The task of 421 Flight was to fly in small formations on reconnaissance missions over the Channel to report on any build up and composition of these formations prior to them reaching the English coastline. This way, as well as the detection being made on radar stations along the coast of their location, 421 Flight would be vectored into a position where they could provide details back to their sector station of type and strength of the enemy much earlier than if it was left to the Observer Corps alone.

Initially, the flight was formed at Gravesend in mid October and on October 31st was posted to West Malling and then moved to Hawkinge on November 15th. This was in direct response to the hit-and-run attacks that the base was suffering. Bf109’s came in under radar and bombed the aerodrome before immediately returning to their base in northern France. This gave Hawkinge no time to get its fighters into the air. 421 Sqn at that point had six Spitfire IIA’s patrolling the Channel at all times during daylight. A quick radio call back to base would warn of any enemy aeroplane seen coming into attack regardless of whether they were coming in under radar cover. It was 421 that earned Hawkinge its first DFC – award to Flt Lt B Drake. In January 1941 - 421 Flight was renamed 91 (Nigeria) Sqn. The government of Nigeria paid for and presented 91 Sqn with fifteen Spitfires – hence the Nigeria in the squadron’s title. The formation of 421 Flight was naturally too late for the Battle of Britain. Some authorities say that such a defence force should have been formed earlier so as to provide early indications of strength and composition of the enemy. But again, this would have been another of the many debatable points that arose during the Battle of Britain.

In general, this was an exceptionally quiet day. Small nuisance raids by small formations of enemy aircraft had attacked both Kenley and Biggin Hill aerodromes but these were thwarted by fighters from Kenley, Biggin Hill and Croydon. 238 Sqn had accounted for one destroyed while the Spitfires of 602 and 611 Sqns accounted for one each destroyed. One of the Do17s damaged by 802 Sqn managed to get back to the French coast, but was to crash land at Landerneau killing all on board. The usual night raids continued on London and Liverpool, which was now becoming a regular occurrence. Although the East End of London still came under constant bombardment, other targets in and around London were now being hit. Spasmodic raids around Tynemouth and County Durham also occurred but records indicate that no casualties were recorded.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 4

RAF - 0

Small numbers of Ju88s were also making nuisance raids, one of Lehr 1 flying low-level to Brooklands and placing four bombs, three on the landing ground and one in the Hurricane assembly shop. The latter did not explode though until it had been removed from the building. A parachute mine that ‘delivered itself’ into central Ipswich could not be defused and had to be blown in-situ. The controlled explosion produced a crater 50 feet wide and 25 feet deep, demolished 70 houses, damaged 750 and broke windows 650 yards away. Night raids on London dropped a mine on Hornchurch's landing ground which failed to explode, seriously damaged Bethnal Green medical works and started a fire in Howard's Timber Yard, Poplar, attended by 80 pumps

Weybridge, Surrey: Bermuda-born Lt. John MacMillan Stevenson Patton of the Royal Canadian Engineers towed a bomb from the Hawker factory to a bomb crater, where it went off harmlessly. He was awarded the George Cross. In Dagenham Essex, Lt-Cdr Richard John Hammersley and his assistant, CPO Reginald Vincent Ellingworth who had shared many dangerous assignments, were killed when a sensitive magnetic mine, which was dangling from a parachute in a warehouse, went off as they tackled it. (Posthumous George Cross for both) In Ilford, Essex, Mr. Leonard John Miles, an ARP, saved several lives when he left his air-raid shelter to warn others nearby of an unexploded bomb. He was fatally wounded when it went off. He was also awarded the George Cross

[Coast]

22nd September 1940

The day opened to many fog covered areas and a mist layer remained for most of the morning period. During the afternoon visibility had increased lengthy sunny periods, but the heavy cloud rolled in late in the afternoon and many areas especially in the south experienced periods of rain.

RAF Bomber Command

4 Group (Whitley). Bombing - aluminium works at Lauta - industrial targets at Berlin.10 Sqn. Four aircraft to Lauta. All bombed, causing fires. 58 Sqn. Five aircraft to Berlin. One returned early, three bombed primary, one bombed an alternative, two aircraft to Lauta, but failed to bomb due to weather. 77 Sqn. Three aircraft to Lauta. All bombed. On that Sunday afternoon, twelve Bristol Blenheims flew from east to west; one of these crashed in the vicinity of Garn Wen killing the three crew.

Blenheim L8610 took off from Upwood, piloted by Sgt H. Wilson. The observer was P/ O A.D. Copplestone, and the Wireless Operator was Sgt John November - the purpose of the flight being an Operational Training Exercise. The Eastern Valley of Monmouthshire was having one of those quiet days that occur when the cloud ceiling is low over the surrounding mountain tops, and everyday sounds are muffled. At around 1400hrs, people heard a low flying aircraft passing over Garndiffaith which couldn't be seen due to low cloud, that seemed to come from the Red Ash Colliery/Dogstone direction. It passed by and then there was a loud 'crump' noise - a plane had crashed by the 'Devil's Heap of Stones'. The other eleven aircraft continued their flight to 17 Operational Training Unit, RAF Upwood, Huntingdonshire.

RAF Fighter Command

This day saw the smallest number of Fighter Command sorties since the start of the battle.

The first air activity of the day was during the late morning when a formation of Bf109s managed to get through and fly high over London. Sources state that two squadrons were despatched to intercept, but there appears not to be any record of action and the Luftwaffe database does not show if any of the fighters were shot down in the area. A lone Ju88 on a photo or weather reconnaissance mission was detected over the Channel south of the Isle of Wight and 234 Sqn from Middle Wallop sent one flight to intercept. The Junkers was shot down and made a belly landing in the sea. All the crew managed to get out of the sinking aircraft and were captured by British authorities. Another small number of enemy aircraft got through and according to the station records book at Fowlmere, they came under attack at 1530hrs. One Spitfire was destroyed and a number were damaged. There was no damage to any buildings or to the airfield. There is a possibility that the attack on Fowlmere, was by the Bf109s that were detected earlier over London, but this cannot be verified.

The afternoon was again peaceful, much to the delight of the aircrews, although one station commander stated to one of his squadron leaders "that if things remain this quiet, you sure you won't get bored!!" But during the evening, as usual, things started to change. Wave upon wave of Heinkels, Junkers and Dorniers threw everything at London. The city had many heavy nights of bombing, but this was by far the heaviest. By midnight, it looked as if there was a sunset over London, the night sky was that red. Fighter Command sent up a number of Defiant and Blenheim night fighters, but with Britain night fighting ability still in its infancy, and about a dozen 'nighties' up against an estimated 125 bombers, their task was almost an impossibility. After forty-five minutes they returned to their bases.

Sq Ldr Peter Townsend (centre), Sammy Allard (far left) of 85 Sqn at Church Fenton in 1940

The weather conditions in the north were considerably different to those in the south. This is shown by three Hurricanes of 85 Sqn who were at Church Fenton who crashed in bad weather conditions. All three were on a routine patrol off the coast when bad visibility caused them trouble in locating base. All three had extinguished their fuel and had to make forced landings well short of Church Fenton aerodrome. F/L ’Sammy’ Allard made his forced landing at Clitheroe, P/O J.E.Marshall forced landed at Burnley while P/O J.A.Hemingway made his force landing outside the town of Burnley.

Its one of our boys! Sgt G "Sammy" Allard. 85 Sqn

Losses

Luftwaffe – 17

RAF

19 Sqn Spitfire X4531 destroyed on the ground

During the night raids a parachute mine exploded at Ilford demolishing a hundred houses, while in Poplar and Lambeth direct hits killed over 50 in shelters. The British Museum’s King Edward buildings were damaged and Mile End tube station was closed by a direct hit.

[Coast]

23rd September 1940

Mist and fog patches in most areas giving way to a mainly fine day. Some patchy cloud, but mainly fine weather over most areas.

RAF Bomber Command

4 Group. 10 Sqn. Whitley P4946 damaged by flak. P/O Bridson and crew unhurt. 77 Sqn. P5046:O Missing from Berlin and ditched in North Sea. Two men found in dinghy on 26th, one dead. P/O A.W. Dunn and Sgts D.A. Gibbons and B.L. Saville missing. Sgt D.B. Allen dead. Sgt G.H. Riley rescued injured. 77 Sqn. P4992L belly-landed at Appleton Yorks. P/O A.C. Akroyd-Stuart and crew safe. Bombing - Calais docks - industrial targets at Berlin - ‘Razzling’. 10 Sqn. Three aircraft to Calais. All bombed. 51 Sqn. Nine aircraft to Berlin. Primary obscured, all bombed alternatives. 77 Sqn. Six aircraft to Berlin. One returned early, rest bombed with ‘good results’. One ditched on return, one man rescued. 78 Sqn. Nine aircraft to Berlin. Seven bombed primary, two bombed alternatives at Wismar and Hamburg.

RAF Fighter Command

The rather peaceful periods that the aircrews had experienced over the last few days was about to end, much like the cloud and rain periods as the bright ball of the sun could be seen above the low lying mist and fog layers. Some aircrews may have been thrown into a false sense of security as the month's combat actions had melted down to almost nothing. But by 0840hrs radar stations from Foreness to Rye had detected four separate formations close together coming in from the Channel towards Dover. As they approached the Kent coastline they appeared to fan out with the outer formations coming in from Ramsgate and Brighton while the centre ones came in over Deal and Folkestone. Again, as in the previous few days, they were Geschwaders of Bf109s and the Observer Corps estimated their numbers as two hundred plus. Fighter Command is said to have released twenty-four squadrons, although later authorities have revised this to fourteen. Again the problem of The British fighters not being able to get to the desired height and position because of the time taken to gain height in a Bf109 attack as they approached at a much faster rate than the bombers.

Hurricanes of 73 Sqn

The formations of Bf109s crossed the coast at about 0915hrs and eight of 11 Group squadrons managed to make an interception of the enemy when they were over North Kent. 257 Sqn Debden and 92 Sqn Biggin Hill were among the first to intercept and a fierce dogfight took place off the coast near Herne Bay and Margate. 73 Sqn Church Fenton, 229 Sqn and 303 Sqn Northolt intercepted one of the other formations. 1000hrs: An area from Dartford to Margate became a mass of twisting, whirling white vapour trails as the fighters from both sides weaved and spiralled against the backdrop of now bright blue sky.

A spitfire of 92 Sqn Biggin Hill piloted by P/O A.J.S.Patterson, engaged in aerial combat over Gravesend was hit, forcing the pilot to break away from the action. He tried to make for the aerodrome at West Malling, but in an attempted forced landing the Spitfire crashed into the ground wounding P/O Patterson in the upper leg. Sgt D.J.Aslin of 257 Sqn suffered burns when his Hurricane sustained a hit from one of the Bf109s and caught fire over the Thames Estuary. He managed to bale out with his aircraft crashing near Eastchurch. The action continued as other British pilots come to grief. Four Hurricane's from 73 Sqn had engaged combat over the Thames between Sheppey and Southend being jumped on by Bf109s of IIJG/26 which were shot down in flames over the Isle of Sheppey and Thames Estuary, a Spitfire of 72 Sqn which crashed at Sittingbourne, a Spitfire II of 74 Sqn Coltishall which was shot down while in single combat with a Bf109 and a Spitfire flown by P/O W.Beaumont of 152 Sqn but it is not known if he was engaged in combat over north Kent.

Major Adolf Galland after scoring his 40th victory on 23rd September 1940. Galland is greeted first by his crew chief Uffz. Mayer

But is was not just the fighters of Fighter Command that were having a bad day. The Luftwaffe suffered just as bad. F/Lt Brian Kingcombe of 92 Sqn Biggin Hill managed to score a direct hit on a Bf109 near Maidstone. The pilot baled out and was captured. Another of the 92 Sqn Spitfires being flown by P/O J.F.Drummond damaged the cooling system of a Bf109 north of Maidstone and it was forced down finally finishing up in a pond where the pilot also was taken prisoner. 72 Sqn claimed credit for destroying a Bf109 that was to dive into the Channel off Folkestone. The Poles of 303 Sqn also increased their tally by another two when they claimed two Bf109s over the Thames Estuary while 257 and 605 Sqn’s destroyed one each. In all, ten Bf109s either crashed on English soil, or crashed on landing due to battle damage and were all destroyed while four managed to return back to their French bases with sustained battle damage.

London was under Red Alert from 1956hrs to 0527hrs and fire engulfed Clarnico's, trapping over 100 in the factory's basement shelter. By midnight 24 serious fires were burning in West Ham. Searchlights were exposed 220 times, 7 times illuminating raiders for 42 AA sites, which loosed off 5,565 rounds. A Vickers Twin Mk 8 firing from Waltham Cross exploded a descending mine, and SM11 guns brought down a He-111H-3 of KG26 at Chobham.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 9

RAF

72 Sqn Spitfire X4063 B.W.Brown was on patrol and was shot down by a Bf 109 during combat over Gravesend at 10:30hrs. Aircraft crashed and burned but he escaped inury

73 Sqn Hurricane P8812 M.E.Leng, injured at 1055hrs - a Bf 109 shot down his aircraft over Faversham. Hurricane V7445 F.S.Perkin, baled out of his Hurricane after combat with a Bf 109 at 1100hrs over Sheppey. Hurricane P3226 D.S.Kinder was badly burned when his Hurricane was in combat over the Thames at 11:05hrs with a Bf 109 and Hurricane L2036 N.C.Langham-Hobart was also badly burned when his aircraft was in combat over the Thames at 11:05hrs with a Bf 109.

74 Sqn Spitfire P7362 D.H.Ayers While on patrol with Green Section in the late morning of 23rd September, David baled out into the sea a mile and a half south-east of Southwold. He was chasing a Do 17 which he damaged off Sheringham and which finally crashed near Antwerp. The cause of David’s crash is not known but may have been return fire from the enemy bomber. An intensive search carried out by the Senior Naval Officer Yarmouth involving high-speed launches and other craft yielded nothing. David Ayers’ body was washed ashore on 4th October 1940.

92 Sqn Spitfire P9371 A.J.S.Pattinson was wounded when he crashed while attempting to land his Spitfire after combat with Bf 109's over Gravesend

152 Sqn Spitfire R7016 W.Beaumont Listed as missing. (Failed to return from operational sortie. Last seen over the Channel)

229 Sqn Hurricane P2879 P.O.D.Allcock listed as injured

234 Sqn Spitfire R6896 T.M.Kane Confirmed P.O.W. (Was flying routine patrol but believed crashed in Channel off French Coast)

257 Sqn Hurricane P2960 D.J.Aslin shot down by a Bf 10, he baled out but was wounded

London: King George instituted a new decoration, called the George Cross, for "deeds of valour by civilian men and women in all walks of life". It ranked with the Victoria Cross and was worn in front of all other decorations. The King himself announced the award in a broadcast from Buckingham Palace during an air raid the previous night. "It is London that is for the time being bearing the brunt of the enemy's spite," he told the nation. "I am speaking to you now from Buckingham Palace, with its honourable scars, to Londoners first of all. The Queen and I have seen many of the places which have been most heavily bombed."

He thanked the ARP workers of the capital "who work on regardless of danger, though the sirens have sounded, and all who night after night uncomplainingly endure discomfort, hardship and peril in their homes and shelters. The walls of London may be battered but the spirit of the Londoner stands resolute and undismayed." The George Medal is also being instituted for civilians, to rank with decorations for gallantry. Bomb disposal men are expected to be among those to receive the George Cross.

[Coast]

24th September 1940

Mist and fog patches were widespread in most areas especially over the French and British coastlines during the morning. Mist or haze was prevalent for most of the day, with high cloud clearing by late afternoon

RAF Bomber Command

4 Group. 10 Sqn. Whitley P5055 Damaged by Flak, P/O Steyn and crew unhurt. 10 Sqn. T4130 force landed out of fuel. Damaged attempting to take-off after refuelling. Sgt V. Snell and crew unhurt. 58 Sqn. N1470 crashed on take-off. Sgt H. Cornish, P/O A.I. Waterson and Sgt L.H.Taylor killed, Sgts Fowlie and Chamberlain injured. aircraft burnt. Bombing - industrial targets at Berlin and Finkenheerd. 10 Sqn. Twelve aircraft to Finkenheerd. Primary obscured, alternatives bombed. Two aircraft damaged. 58 Sqn. Seven aircraft to Berlin. One crashed on take-off with three killed. Primary obscured, alternatives bombed. 77 Sqn. Two aircraft to Berlin. Both bombed with good results. After dark Berlin was bombed and a Wellington delivered 91,500 propaganda leaflets to residents there and at Hanover and Hamburg.

RAF Fighter Command

Most of the fighter stations in the south woke up to a rather foggy morning and many experienced an eerie feeling as those that were up while it was still dark inspecting their aircraft before settling down to breakfast, groped around in the shallow visibility with the thought that they would be confined to base under the circumstances. Reports that had come through from the coastal radar stations also indicated that most of the Channel coast was also under the influence of reduced visibility. However, by 0630 hrs, the visibility increased as the fog began to lift. Two aircraft managed to take off from Manston and Tangmere on weather reconnaissance and reported that the fog was prevalent over the Channel, but along the coast and inland, the fog had reduced to low-lying mist patches. Above the fog, visibility was good and the cloud base was about 18,000 feet.

Radar stations at Foreness, Dover and Rye picked up a large formation coming across the Channel from Calais at 0810hrs. It turned out to be a formation of about 200 plus that consisted of bombers with fighter escort. The formation was broken up into a number of smaller formations that were to cross the Kent coast on a wide front. Keith Park decided that he would send up eleven squadrons. 72 Sqn Biggin Hill were scrambled early to meet an advance formation of Bf109s. It appears that the bomber formation continues its route in a northerly direction heading towards the Thames Estuary and it was in this area that they were met by 17 Sqn Debden and 92 Sqn Biggin Hill. The area over the Thames Estuary was misty with fog areas over the resort towns, but above this, the two fighter squadrons engaged in combat with the bombers.

The first casualty of the morning was from 72 Sq that engaged the advance party of Bf109s. At 0820hrs a Spitfire flown by Sgt J.Steere sustained damage while in combat over Dartford, but not enough for him to abandon his aircraft and he managed to return to base. In return, 72 Sqn managed to shoot down one Bf109 before the enemy gained height and redirected themselves east to meet up with the main bomber formation. Over the Thames Estuary, 72 Sqn was to claim another two possibly damaged, and one definitely damaged. 92 Sqn Biggin Hill were also in attendance over the Estuary where they claimed six enemy aircraft damaged, with two of them possibles. One of them, a He111 was seen returning back out towards the North Sea badly smoking from both engines. One of the 92 Sqn Spitfires was hit by gunfire from one of the Bf109s and was seen to crash near North Weald and bursting into flames on impact. The pilot did not bale out and went down with the aircraft.

17 Sqn also claimed one damaged and another possibly damaged, but unfortunately lost one Hurricane after it crashed into the sea off Chatham after being hit by gunfire from a Bf109. P/O H.A.C.Bird-Wilson managed to bale out of his burning aircraft with burns to his hands and body, but was rescued from the sea by a boat. According to German records, a number of the bombers did sustain damage in this action, and although they managed to return to their bases many of them crashed upon landing due to combat damage, but the times are sketchy and in many cases are not available. Of the squadrons that were also despatched, but did not make contact, often left the pilots in a discerning mood as to them they could have stayed on the ground back at their bases and finished their breakfasts in peace and quiet. P/O George Barclay of 249 Sqn said, that after being vectored into one location, it almost seemed a waste of his time, and a waste of precious fuel to fly around an empty sky in search of something that wasn't there. But on reflection, we must have been there for a reason.

41 Sqn Hornchurch was out on patrol over the Channel near Hellfire Corner at 1330hrs when they were bounced on by a flight of Bf109s. The squadron was forced to take defensive action and failed to turn the action into one of attack. Two aircraft were lost, one crashed into the sea and the pilot rescued, while the other sustained serious damage and once over the Kent coast was forced to crash land somewhere outside Dover. The pilot was unhurt. At 1350hrs a formation of Bf110 aircraft from I/Erprobungs Gruppe 210, 4ZG/76 and IIIZG/76 made a surprise attack on the docks and naval ports of Southampton and Portsmouth. It cannot be ascertained as to whether they flew across the Channel at very low level remaining undetected by Ventnor radar until observed by the Observer Corps, or whether Fighter Command was too late scrambling squadrons in time to intercept.

The Bf110s managed to fly past the Isle of Wight and up the Solent with not one Hurricane or Spitfire in sight and headed towards the Spitfire factory at Woolston where a number of direct hits caused considerable damage to a number of buildings and an air raid shelter where it is estimated that 100 factory workers were killed. The main factory and assembly plant was not hit and production was unaffected. The only defence that could be offered by the British defences was by the anti-aircraft units who excelled with accurate gunfire with one Bf110 crashing into the sea, two Bf110s of III/ZG76 also sustaining hits and crashing into the Channel while a Bf110 of 4ZG76 sustained damage and managed to get back to base. After the raid on Southampton, the attackers then turned on Portsmouth where they dropped their bomb loads on mostly residential and commercial areas of the city with the naval dockyard and factories remaining undamaged.

Soon after darkness fell, they usual formations of bomb laden Heinkels, Dorniers and Junkers arrived over the coastline of Kent, Sussex and Hampshire for the continuation of the night bombing raids that had been so prevalent over the last couple of weeks. The bombing was very widespread with heavy forces again targeting London, Portsmouth and Plymouth. Other areas targeted by the Luftwaffe bomber formations were Hull and Humberside, Newcastle and Middlesbrough, Liverpool and Manchester and a number of areas in the west and in South Wales. It was by far one of the most widespread of bombing attacks with London under Red Alert from 2010hrs to 0530hrs but that did not discourage the gunners from firing another 5,480 rounds. Very heavy bombing commenced at midnight causing incidents at Camberwell, Chelsea, Islington, Kensington, St. Mary's Hospital, Chancery Lane, Queen's Hall, University College, Lambeth, Marylebone Road, St. Pancras, Waterloo Station, Wormwood Scrubs, Earl's Court Station, Kew Bridge and The Times building in Queen Victoria Street.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 11

RAF

17 Sqn Hurricane P3872 H.A.C.Bird-Wilson baled out with burns, but was rescued from the sea by a boat and

Hurricane P3168 D.H.Wissler’s aircraft was damaged by a Bf 109 and he crash landed.

41 Sqn Spitfire N3118 J.McAdam baled out off Dover after combat at 1345hrs. He was rescued from the sea

92 Sqn Spitfire X4037 J.S.Bryson killed having been shot down by Bf109s over Essex and crashed in flames near North Weald at 0900hrs and Spitfire X4427 R.C.F.Lister aircraft damaged in the combat but repaired and used again.

605 Sqn Hurricane P3832 W.J.Glowacki killed in combat with Bf109 over French coast

[Coast]

25th September 1940

Overcast with thunder and rain generally, clearing later with showers in the South East.

RAF Bomber Command

4 Group. (Whitley). Bombing – Scharnhorst at Kiel - Antwerp docks - power station at Berlin. 51 Sqn. Eleven aircraft to Berlin and Kiel. Five bombed Scharnhorst, two bombed Berlin, two bombed alternatives. 78 Sqn. Ten aircraft. Four bombed Scharnhorst, three bombed Antwerp, three did not bomb. Under dispersal plans Vickers prototype Wellingtons including the high-altitude models are flown to Squires Gate airfield in Blackpool, Lancashire

RAF Fighter Command

The Filton raid

Main target briefing notes for the Luftwaffe raid on Filton containing all the necessary information required by the German bomber crews. It gives specific target information, where any defence might be located and different routes away from the target as required

Dispersal of the invasion assembly released sufficient aircraft to reinforce Luftflotte 3 to allow it to resume large-scale daylight operations with a morning attack by He-111s of KG 55 on the Bristol Aeroplane works at Filton. No. 10 Group, after incorrect intelligence indications had pointed to Raid 22H attacking Yeovil, positioned squadrons of fighters accordingly. However, as the attacking hostile aircraft were gradually detected by land based radar, scientists at RAF Yatesbury near Calne in Wiltshire, were flying a test aircraft, and became aware of a signal some distance away on the Bristol Channel. Initially they thought it was a system fault but it soon became apparent that they were tracking a large group of hostile aircraft. Officers at Yatesbury witnessed the attack on Filton in what became the first use of an inland radar system for tracking enemy aircraft. Later Fighter Command showed great interest in this and asked for a watch to be kept and observations fed through to the control room at Box.

In clear blue skies the German formation thundered on toward Filton in textbook style. New technology was not a concern. Their navigators were concentrating on following their excellent briefing notes which led them to the distinct rectangle made by the railway lines just to the east of the airfield, making sure of an accurate bomb run.

G1+DN was a victim of the 25th September raid on the Bristol aero works at Filton. Oberleutnant Gottfreid Weigel and his crew baled out safely before the Heinkel crashed at Racecourse Farm, Portbury, near Bristol. An anti-aircraft shell fired by the 237th Battery, 76th HAA regiment based at Portbury had exploded under the Heinkel’s tail and damaged its controls.

There was anti aircraft fire, accurate fire, and there were some RAF fighters but this again was uncoordinated and did not affect the group. Just as twelve Hurricanes of 238 Sqn bore down on the formation from above and behind, Major Friedrich Kless gave the order over the radio "Bomben los!" The remaining fifty-seven He 111s opened their bomb doors. From 15,000feet into an area some one-mile by three quarters of a mile rained 350 high explosive bombs. It was classic, devastating, carpet-bombing - a tactic that the Luftwaffe had perfected since the Spanish Civil War. Underneath was the Bristol Aeroplane Company at Filton; it was 1148hrs.

As the bomber formation sped away, below at the factory, chaos reigned. From the first sounds of approaching aircraft the factory had played the music 'Marching through Georgia', the signal for staff to make their way to cover. This had become a little perfunctory as air raids had eased and people had become complacent, and less alert. Now some even went to the gates to go home before remembering that it was now company policy to close the gates during an air raid. Even in a crisis, security was paramount as there were experimental aircraft parked on the airfield perimeter. With Teutonic efficiency the bombs rained down. It was over in one devastating moment, the death toll was horrendous. In the factory 72 were killed and 166 injured, 19 died later from their injuries.

Immediately outside the factory 58 people were killed with 154 seriously injured. A further 118 people were reported as slightly injured. There was a report that an army NCO marching a squad toward the factory by Rodney works would not allow them to break ranks and take cover. They too were killed. The bombs had fallen at an estimated four per second and the whole raid had lasted just 45 seconds. It was now 1149hrs and in the aftermath, 152 and 238 Sqns struck down at least three of the withdrawing Heinkels and AA gunners another.

A crashed German Do17, Beaneys Lane, Hastings 25th September 1940

Several Ju88s of LG1 later dive-bombed oil installations at Portland and Plymouth, where a crane was destroyed.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 15

RAF

152 Sqn Spitfire P9463 W.G.Silver was killed at 1155hrs. His Spitfire was shot down off Portsmouth and Spitfire N3173 K.C.Holland who was killed around 1200hrs. His aircraft was shot down while he was attacking a He 111 West of Bristol.

234 Sqn Spitfire X4182 R.MacKay was wounded at 18:45hrs. He baled out of his Spitfire while on patrol near to St. Mawgen in Cornwall.

238 Sqn Hurricane N2597 F.A.Sibley force landed his Hurricane at Glastonbury at 15:40hrs after combat

For the previous two months, the great air struggle that had raged over southeast England was to go down in history as one of the most important battles that Britain had to overcome. It is fair to say that the German Luftwaffe was by no means an inferior opponent, on the contrary, as far as men and machines were concerned, they were a far superior force. The Luftwaffe, as the attacking force had a combined strength of bombers, fighters and fighter-bombers. There were huge numbers of aircrew both trained and straight out of flying school, and they had the advantage of flying by both day and by night.

Fighter Command on the other hand, as the defending force, had only front line fighters that combined did not equal the number of their enemy. They were also at a disadvantage as far as aircrew were concerned, often not enough to man the operational squadrons, who were also losing valuable aircraft daily. The biggest advantages that Britain had over German was the fact that they had the English Channel as a natural form of defence and the advantage of flying most of the time over home territory. Germany had carried out many blitzkrieg invasions with great success. Warsaw and Poland, Norway, Holland, Belgium and finally France. But to make an invasion of Great Britain the German military forces could not use their normal course of events such as pushing in advance columns of Panzer troops, and providing them with the required support of bombers, fighters and dive-bombers. The English Channel had first to be negotiated. Any attempt at crossing the Channel would be nothing short of disastrous. Aircraft of the RAF would pick out the sitting targets one by one and the invasion forces would be annihilated before they even got to the English coastline. Hitler had only one option, and that was to destroy the Royal Air Force before he could even make a positive date to commence the invasion.

[Coast]

26th September 1940

Generally fine, clouding up in the South later in the day

RAF Bomber Command

4 Group. (Whitley). Bombing - invasion fleet at Le Havre. 58 Sqn. Seven aircraft. All bombed. 77 Sqn. Eight aircraft. All bombed.

RAF Fighter Command

KG55 tries to repeat its success of the day before. Shortly before 1600hrs, Raid 20H a group of about 60 aircraft is discovered proceeding along the west side of Southampton water by radar. It then turns northeasterly heading for Southampton where at 1628hrs, 27 Bf110s attack the Itchen and Woolston Vickers-Supermarine works, six dive-bombing, the remainder attacking from 14,000 feet. A quarter of an hour later, after tracking in over the New Forest, 35 Heinkels escorted by 50 fighters came in to destroy the factory. Some of the 70 tons of bombs used strayed onto Dawks gas works killing 11 and injuring 16, and another 11 were killed at the docks.

Twelve squadrons of fighters ordered to intercept mostly flew too high. It was left to Solent guns to challenge the raiders before four squadrons went into action (after the bombing) shooting down a He-111 and two ZG 26 Bf110s on the Isle of Wight for the loss of six aircraft and two pilots killed. Casualties at Supermarine's were serious, nearly 100 more dying in and around the works factory, where Spitfire production and Supermarine's heavy bomber prototype were devastated. This resulted in plans being implemented for the large-scale dispersal of production facilities and workers moved to sites around Southampton as well as Reading, Hungerford, Newbury, Salisbury and Winchester. In Newbury, Elliott's furniture factory was requisitioned, as was Vincent's Garage in Reading. Salisbury's local bus depot was one of seven factories in the city where wings and fuselages were built.

As a result of these raids, only 59 Spitfires were produced in October, less than half the total for August. Such was the need for fighters that a Spitfire fitted with a pair of Blackburn Roc floats was reconverted to a standard Mk I. The trial of the Spitfire as an amphibian had been mounted because of the lack of suitable airfields during the Norwegian campaign and the need to seek alternatives. Never again did production fall so low.

504 Sqn is moved to Filton to provide local defence.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 9

RAF

152 Sqn Spitfire K9982 E.C.Deansly was shot down and wounded again. This time, 10 miles off Swanage he baled out of his stricken aircraft after combat with a He 111 and a Bf 109. Deanesly was located by a Lysander and then picked up by the S.S. Empire Henchman and Spitfire K9882 J.M.Christie was shot down and killed at 1650 hrs. He was attacked by a Bf 109 off Swanage.

229 Sqn Hurricane V6745 S.W.Merryweather was wounded at 1630hrs. He force landed his Hurricane at Hambledon

238 Sqn Hurricane P3098 V.Horsky was killed at 1630hrs. He was shot down in his Hurricane over the Solent and Hurricane P3830 R.A.Kings baled out over the Isle of Wight after combat with a Bf 110 at 1635hrs.

253 Sqn Hurricane P2958 G.R.Edge baled out of his Hurricane after combat over the Channel and was rescued. Hurricane V7470 W.M.C.Samolinski was killed at 1100hrs after he was shot down over the Channel.

607 Sqn Hurricane P5205 C.E.Bowen baled out of his aircraft safely over Kaylthorpe, Isle Of Wight at 1620hrs

London: The underground Cabinet War Room suffers a hit when a bomb explodes on the Clive Steps and in Birkenhead, Mr. Norman Tunna, a Great Western Railway shunter, removed and extinguished two incendiary devices which had fallen onto a train laden with bombs, thereby undoubtedly preventing a catastrophe. He was awarded the George Cross.

[Coast]

27th September 1940

Fair in the extreme south and southwest. Cloudy in the Channel with light rain over southern England.

RAF Bomber Command

4 Group. (Whitley). Bombing - installations at Lorient Naval base. 10 Sqn.Twelve aircraft. All bombed.

RAF Fighter Command

The day began at 0547 hrs, when 11 Incendiaries were dropped on farmland in Eastbourne, there were no casualties. At around 0900 hrs, enemy aircraft from Erpro Gr 210 makes its final fighter-bomber attack on the British Isles. Escorted by I./ZG 26 (100 fighters and 80 bombers) It crossed the Coast between Folkestone and Dover in six formations at heights varying from 15,00 to 20,000 feet. No 11 Group sent up 13 Squadrons to meet this attack and 11 of these Squadrons intercepted. No 12 Group provided 4 Squadrons to patrol North Weald and Hornchurch. The attack was halted in the Maidstone - Tonbridge area but some enemy aircraft penetrated to Central and West London. By 0943 hours, raids were dispersing over the Coast from Shoreham to Dungeness.

Observer Corps reported six large bombers circling Kenley. The only bombs though are reported in the Dover area. Ju88s of KG 77 attempted two raids on London and lost 13 of their number to British fighters. Bf110s of LG 1 fared little better, losing seven on their number over Kent and Surrey. Between 1147 and 1215 hrs, six formations totalling 300 enemy aircraft crossed the coast between Dover and Lympne at heights varying from 12,000 to 29,000 feet, and headed towards the Chatham area. Twenty Squadrons were sent up and the main engagements took place over Kent and East Sussex. Enemy formations encountered were principally composed of fighters. Enemy dispersal commenced at 1230 hours and was practically completed by 1300 hours.

At 1120 hrs two formations consisting of about 25 bombers escorted by 45 Bf110s and some Bf109s, crossed the coast near Swanage and flew to Filton. At Frome, the Bf109s turned back. Eight Squadrons were despatched to meet the attack, one of which intercepted and dispersed the enemy formations before they reached the Bristol Aeroplane Co's Works for the second time, but Filton RAF Station was attacked from 11,000 feet. Formations were also intercepted on their return journey. Erpro Gr 210 attacked Bristol, but suffered five losses, including the new Kommandeur, Hptm Martin Lutz, to Hurricanes of 504 Sqn. At 1143 hrs, three Bf109s unsuccessfully attacked Dover Balloons.

Report from P/O R. G. A. Barclay, 249 Sqn, 27th September 1940

Enemy activity in the evening was chiefly directed towards London from the French Coast and lasted from 1940 hours to 0600 hours, with a brief lull from 0215 to 0315 hrs. Edinburgh was visited just after dusk and there were scattered raids in the Liverpool District, Birmingham and Nottingham, mostly up to midnight. From 1930 to 2100 Hours there were 18 raids to the London area, which originated from Dieppe and Le Havre. Nine raids from Cherbourg crossed the Coast between Swanage and Selsey and made for the Bristol Channel area, some proceeding to Liverpool. Four raids from the direction of Denmark crossed the coast North of St Abb's Head and proceeded to Edinburgh, after visiting a convoy. From 2100 to 0100 Hours 55 raids were plotted of which the majority proceeded to London from Cherbourg and Dieppe. A few of these went as far North as Duxford.

West Brunswick dock, Liverpool following the attack on 27th September 1940

Two or three raids visited the Liverpool district as well as one each to Birmingham and Nottingham. No mine laying operations are suspected. By 2300 hours the Western half of the Country was clear. From 0100 to 0600 Hours (28th Sept) Raids continued to come in fairly steadily from the French Coast to the London area until 0215 hours. Activity in the remainder of the Country was very slight. At 0315 hours, there was renewed activity from the Abbeville area to London crossing the coast between Bexhill and Hastings. This stream continued until about 0600 hours when the last raids were recrossing the coast.

The Houses of Parliament suffered their first recorded air raid. City of Westminster message forms record that a high explosive bomb and several incendiaries (including an oil bomb) fell on Old Palace Yard, Westminster at around 0010hrs. Three casualties were reported. The western front of the Houses of Parliament - the public entrance situated on Abingdon Street and the southern wall of St Stephen’s Porch - were badly damaged. The famous bronze statue of Richard the Lionheart was lifted from its pedestal by the blast: the tip of the King’s sword was bent forward. A crater was left near the front of the building, doors were broken and ceilings brought down. Telephone lines were cut and most of the windows in the House of Lords were shattered.

Damage to the statue of Richard I, Old Palace Yard, Westminster

Losses

Luftwaffe – 55

Records show a trail of Bf110’s from LG1 led by Hauptman Horst Liensberger. Aircraft crashed in Oxted, Gatwick, Chelwood Gate, Heathfield Horam and Hailsham. Liensberger got as far as Hailsham Sussex before finally meeting his destiny in the form of a Hurricane of 249 Sqn flown by Percy Burton (see below)

The remains of Liensberger Bf110 in Hailsham, 27th September 1940. You can clearly see the damage to the tail fin where Burton rammed the aircraft

Some reports state that Burton, out of ammunition decided to ram the rear of the Bf110, others, that Liensberger had lost power from both engines and needed to make a force landing. Whatever the reason the two aircraft struck with fatal results for all the airmen and with no tail assembly, the Bf1110 tumbled forward and ploughed into Simmon’s Field between Mill Road and Station Road in Hailsham with one of the torn off engines finishing up behind Hamlin’s Mill. Horst Liensberger and Albert Koepege were supposedly buried in Hailsham Cemetery on 2nd October 1940.

This morning (18th September 2010) I drove the 4 miles to Hailsham to find those graves. I stopped off in Hailsham town centre and as it was Battle of Britain week, an elderly gentleman in beret and wearing campaign medals was selling stickers for the Wings Appeal. I made a donation and asked him about the dog-fight between the Hurricane and the Messerschmidt and he described the incident exactly as above. He stated clearly that the airman’s bodies were not buried at Hailsham, but sent back to Germany for interment. He also gave me direction to the tree where Percy Burton’s Hurricane crashed; see below for more details and photographs.

RAF

1(R.C.A.F.) Sqn Hurricane P3647 O.J.Peterson killed, shot down at Hever, Kent during combat with Ju88s and Bf110s over north Kent, 0915 hrs

19 Sqn Spitfire X4352 E.Burgoyne killed at 1230hrs, he was shot down over Canterbury by a Bf 109. Spitfire X4237 D.G.S.R.Cox crash-landed after a dogfight with a Bf 109 near Wye.

41 Sqn Spitfire R6884 F.Usmar was wounded at 1215hrs. He baled out after combat over West Malling with a Bf 109. His parents watched him bale out near their home without realising who he was!!

Spitfire X4409 E.V.Darling wounded 1215hrs. He baled out over West Malling and Spitfire R6755 E.N.’Norman’ Ryder shot down 1545hrs. He baled out after being attacked by a Bf 109.

64 Sqn Spitfire X4032 L.A.Dyke reported as 'Missing' at 10:30hrs

72 Sqn Spitfire X4340 E.E.Males killed, shot down in combat with Bf109s over Sevenoaks, crashed Shadwell Dock, Stepney at 0940hrs and Spitfire N3068 P.J.Davies-Cooke killed, shot down by Bf109 during combat over Sevenoaks, crashed into Nos 70 and 72 Queensway, West Wickham, pilot bailed out, but fell dead near Hayes Station, 0940 hrs.

92 Sqn Spitfire X4422 J.A. Paterson killed, shot down in combat with enemy aircraft over Sevenoaks, crashed and burned out at Sparepenny Lane, Farningham, 0920 hrs. Spitfire R6767 C.Sydney killed, crashed at Kingston-on-Thames following combat with enemy aircraft, 09.40 hrs and Spitfire R6622 T.G.Oldfield killed, shot down by enemy aircraft, crashed and exploded on impact at Fullers House, Hesketh Park, Dartford, 1518 hrs.

213 Sqn Hurricane N2401 L.H.Schwind killed, shot down in combat with enemy fighters over Gatwick and crashed onto Wilderness Golf Course, Seal, near Sevenoaks, 0925 hrs.

222 Sqn Spitfire R6720 R.H.Gretton was on patrol and was bounced by Bf 109's and shot down, crashing near Rainham, Essex at 1200hrs. He spent the next five months recovering from a fractured pelvis and spine. Spitfire P9364 E.Scott missing, failed to return from operational patrol, exact cause unknown, crashed at Greenway Court, Hollingbourne, 1600 hrs.

229 Sqn Hurricane V6782 R.F.Rimmer killed, shot down in combat with Bf109s and exploded over Franchise Manor Farm, Burwash, 1530 hrs. Hurricane P3603 W.A.Smith made a force landing at Lingfield at 1545hrs.

242 Sqn Hurricane P2967 M.G.Homer killed, shot down in combat with Bf109s and crashed in flames at Bluetown, Mintching Wood, Milstead, near Sittingbourne, 1225 hrs.

Percy Burton, right

249 Sqn Hurricanes led by Wng Com Tom F Neil DFC AFC.

249 Sqn Hurricane V6683 South African, Percival Ross Francis Burton (Percy) killed, collided with Bf110 during combat over Redhill area, crashed at Wellers Field, Station Road, Hailsham, East Sussex at 0950 hrs. Having apparently rammed the Bf110’s of Hauptman Horst Liensberger (see above) Burton never regained sufficient control of his Hurricane and with its engine on full throttle, slammed into a large oak tree in the fields south of New Barn Farm, Hailsham throwing him clear. Eye-witness reports indicate strongly that he deliberately rammed the 110. A letter from Fighter Command to the Hailsham ARP Chief said that Burton was to be recommended for a posthumous gallantry award. This could only have been the VC but in fact he only received a Mention in Despatches. A small plaque still marks the site of the aircraft crash. This morning, I visited the site in the September sunshine to take these pictures:

249 Sqn Hurricane P3834 J.R.B.Meaker killed, shot down by return fire from Ju88 and crashed at Brake Field, Giffords Farm, Dallington, East Sssex pilot bailed out but hit tailplane and fell dead at Warren Field, Brighling Park, 1520 hrs.

303 Sqn Hurricane V7289 W.Zak was on patrol and abandoned over Horsham Pilot wounded. Hurricane L1696 L.W.Paskiwicz killed, crashed at Crohurst Farm, Borough Green, Kent during combat with enemy aircraft. Hurricane T.Anduszkow killed, shot down in flames in combat over the Horsham area and crashed at Holywych Farm, Cowden, 0935 hrs.

310 Sqn Hurricane V6608 G.L.Sinclair baled out after combat over Thanet with a Bf 109 at 1220hrs. He was unhurt

501 Sqn Hurricane V6672 V.H.Ekins at 12:25hrs baled out after being attacked by a Bf 110 over Godstone Surrey. Hurricane V6645 E.M.Gunter killed, shot down in action against Do17s with Bf109 escort and crashed near Teynham Court, Sittingburne, pilot bailed out but parachute failed, 1225 hrs.

603 Sqn Spitfire N3244 P.M.Cardell killed, pilot believed wounded in action with Bf109s over the Channel, attempted to regain English coast but forced to abandon aircraft quarter of a mile off Folkestone, parachute failed to open and pilot picked up dead by shore boat, 1245 hrs.

609 Sqn Spitfire X4107 R.F.G.Miller killed, collided head-on with Bf110 and exploded over Chesilbourne, near Kingcombe, main wreckage fell east of Doles Ash, 1145 hrs.

616 Sqn Spitfire R6702 D.S.Smith killed, believed he crashed at Workhouse Cottage, Throwley, near Faversham, having been shot down by Bf109s whilst acting as 'weaver', 12.20 hrs. Pilot seriously wounded and admitted to Faversham Cottage Hospital, but died the next day.

[Coast]

www.google.com

A fly past by Second World War fighter planes led the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Battle of Britain.

A Spitfire and a Hurricane flew above Westminster Abbey to commemorate one of the most pivotal battles in recent British military history. Earlier, veterans from the decisive battle rubbed shoulders with royalty and senior politicians at a thanksgiving service in the Abbey.

[Coast]

28th September 1940

Generally fair but cloudy in the channel

RAF Bomber Command

4 Group. (Whitley). Bombing - industrial targets at Berlin - Fokker aircraft factory at Amsterdam - ‘Razzling’. 51 Sqn. Twelve aircraft. Eleven got off, six bombed Berlin, four bombed alternatives. 78 Sqn. Eight aircraft to Berlin. One aborted, three bombed primary, two bombed alternatives, two failed to bomb.

RAF Fighter Command

At 0955 hours, raids totalling 120+ aircraft approached the Kent Coast, of which 70 penetrated inland in two waves. The first wave of 30 aircraft flew to Biggin Hill and about 6 of these reached Central London. The second wave did not penetrate further West than Maidstone. 17 Squadrons were despatched to intercept these raids which finally dispersed at about 1040 hours. Enemy patrols were unusually active in the Straits during this attack. At 1330 hours, about 160 aircraft of which about 35 were bombers, crossed the coast between Dungeness and Lympne and flew towards Maidstone and the Thames Estuary. These raids spread out over Kent but did not penetrate further West than a line Beachy Head - Maidstone - Isle of Sheppey. All operational squadrons of No 11 Group were employed against this attack and five Squadrons of No 12 Group patrolled Hornchurch and North Weald. By 1410 hours, enemy aircraft were flying back towards France

At 1415 hours, some 60 enemy aircraft flew from Cherbourg towards Portsmouth. Some turned towards the Tangmere - Thorney Island area. The raids were met by five Squadrons of No 11 Group, which were diverted from the Kent attack, and by four Squadrons of No 10 Group. Four Squadrons sighted the enemy. It is reported that none of the enemy crossed the Coast and that they jettisoned their bombs into the sea. At 1730 hrs in Cavendish Place and Tideswell Road Eastbourne, 4 people were killed and 14 injured when 4 HE’s (High Explosive) bombs were dropped, many people were trapped for hours

Take off 1423hrs, 12 Sorties comprising Squadron. Proceeded to E of Isle of Wight and encountered 25 ME 110 flying in a defensive circle, also ME 109 to starboard. Squadron went into attack but were then attacked by the 109's.P/O Rozyck destroyed 1. 110 but Sgt Little and P/O Harrison did not return. Sgt Bann was killed being shot down and his chute did not open

238 Sqn form 541 – report of action from 28th September 1940

Into the evening enemy activity commenced at about 2000 hours when the first raids crossed the Sussex Coast and approached London. Major incidents occurred at Lambeth and Nine Elms goods yards, the Albert Embankment, and Southwark, where three HE’s destroyed St. Peter's Crypt Shelter, killing 18 outright and trapping many. At the same time, raids which appeared to originate from the Dutch Islands crossed the Coast in the Wash area and penetrated over Lincolnshire and Norfolk to Digby, Peterborough and Nottingham. Raids were also plotted into the Liverpool area, returning over Wales. At 2100 hours, a concentration of raids on London was plotted, crossing the Coast near Portsmouth and also between Beachy Head and Shoreham.

Major damage is reported at the factory of Messrs W Ottway & Co Ltd, Orion Works, Ealing, through an incendiary bomb, which caused a fire. 200 IB and 20 HE bombs were dropped opposite the works of Vickers at Weybridge (Brooklands), causing the road to be blocked, but it was reported that there was no damage to the factory. At 2340 hours HE’s was dropped at the Acton works of Messrs S & G Brown Ltd, causing severe damage to the offices and the destruction of part of the factory roof. Several hospitals were hit including West Middlesex Heston, Staines Emergency, St Bernards (Uxbridge) and Barnes Isolation.

After midnight, activity spread westwards to include an area Selsey Bill, St Albans Head and North to Middle Wallop, but the main objective of most raids still appeared to be London and its Western suburbs. Two isolated raids were plotted in Oxfordshire, and two in the Bristol Channel. By 0230 hours, raids were less in number but were still approaching London from the Coast of Sussex. Two raids were plotted in the Derby area. At 0345 hours, a fresh stream of raids came from Dieppe towards London and activity over this area continued until 0550 hours. During the course of the night, considerable mine laying was suspected off North Foreland and in the Thames Estuary.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 16

Hans-Joachim Marseille claimed his 7th aerial victory on 28th September 1940 in his Bf 109 E-7; W.Nr. 409, but had to crash land near Théville Normandy due to engine failure.

RAF

41 Sqn Spitfire X4409 H.H.Chalder was shot down and he baled out, seriously wounded, before his Spitfire exploded in mid-air. Chalder was admitted to hospital, he died of his wounds on the 10th of November, aged 25.Spitfire X4426 J.G.Boyle killed, shot down in combat over Charing, crashed and burned out on Erriotts Farm, Dadmans, Lynstead and Spitfire X4345 E.S.Aldous force landed his aircraft after combat over Charing at 1040hrs.

66 Sqn Spitfire X4322 A.B.Watkinson was wounded, he baled out of his damaged aircraft after combat over Mayfield in Sussex.

213 Sqn Hurricane J.M.Talman, a Bf 110 shot down his Hurricane over Bembridge Isle of Wight at1510hrs. He was rescued unhurt.

238 Sqn Hurricane N2400 R.Little missing, shot down into sea during combat with Bf109s over the Isle of Wight, 1445 hrs. Hurricane V6776 E.S.Bann killed, severely damaged by Bf109s over Fareham, pilot bailed out over Brading Marshes, but parachute failed, 1459 hrs. Hurricane P3836 C.S.Harrison killed, shot down in combat with Bf109s over the Solent, and crashed in the sea, 1450 hrs. Pilot's body washed ashore at Brighton 9th October 1940

249 Sqn Hurricane V6617 A.G.Lewis Shot down during combat over Faversham and crashed at Blackett's Farm, Tonge 2.20 pm. Lewis baled out

501 Sqn Hurricane V7497 E.B.Rogers was shot down at 1010hrs over Deal in Kent and he baled out safely.

501 Sqn Hurricane P3417 F.C.Harrold killed, shot down by Bf109s and crashed in Strawberry Plantations, College House, Ulcombe, wreck burned out, 1010 hrs

603 Sqn Spitfire L1076 H.K.MacDonald killed, bounced by Bf109s over Gillingham, and shot down onto Brompton Barracks, 1020 hrs

605 Sqn Hurricane V6699 P.G.Crofts killed, shot down by Bf109s over Ticehurst and exploded in a paddock at Earls Down, Red Pale, Dallington, pilot bailed out but fell dead at South View Farm, Warbleton, 1355 hrs. Hurricane P3828 R.Hope baled out safely at 1420hrs. He had been shot down by a Bf 109 over Ticehurst in Sussex.

607 Sqn Hurricane P3108 W.E.Gore missing, shot down in action with Bf109s east of Selsey, believed crashed in sea, 1500 hrs. Hurricane R4189 M.M.Irving missing, crashed in the Channel east of Selsey, during combat with Bf109s, 1500 hrs.

[Coast]

29th September 1940

Generally fair all day with some cloud in the middle of the day.

RAF Bomber Command

4 Group. (Whitley). Bombing, oil plants at Magdeburg and Hanover.58 Sqn. Ten aircraft to Magdeburg. Nine got off, four bombed primary with good results, one bombed an alternative and five failed to bomb.77 Sqn. Ten aircraft to Magdeburg and Hanover. One returned early, remainder bombed primaries or alternatives. One returned on one engine from Amsterdam.

RAF Fighter Command

Apart from a sweep by enemy fighters through Kent westwards, and as far as Reading by one element, the day's main activities consisted of reconnaissances, attacks on shipping and some inland flights. In the morning extensive reconnaissances took place offshore in the East Kent and Thames Estuary areas. At 0910 hrs one aircraft crossed the Coast at Lyme Bay and flew through Somerset to Wiltshire. At about 1127 hrs a convoy was attacked in the Portsmouth area, and at 1135 hrs a "Help" message was received from another off the North Wales Coast - fighters failed to intercept. One Do215 flew inland at Ramsgate to Maidstone and Northolt and was shot down at Taplow. Reconnaissances were made off East Anglia, and in one instance to Duxford, and between 1300 and 1700 hrs a convoy was attacked and two inspected by enemy aircraft. Bombs were reported to have been dropped at Felixstowe.

At 1610 hrs three formations of 50, 20 and 20 enemy aircraft crossed the Coast West of Dungeness at 10 minute intervals, while a further 12 aircraft went inland at Dover. The first raid flew westwards of the London area before wheeling south. A split however, flew towards Central London. The remainder penetrated only some 25 miles inland. All the enemy aircraft appeared to be fighters flying at a great height. Between 1700 and 1800 hrs reconnaissances by single aircraft were made in Kent, in one case Eastchurch and Detling were ‘visited’. Between 1800 and 1900 hours three small raids of 9+, 3+ and 3+ aircraft were plotted in St George's Channel, and intercepted. One enemy aircraft was destroyed.

Also around 1900 hrs, eleven Hurricanes of 79 Sqn were scrambled from Pembrey to intercept an enemy formation flying north up the Irish Sea. After about twenty minutes the Squadron saw nine He111’s about fifteen miles off the Irish coast. As they came under attack the Heinkels jettisoned their bombs and turned southwest. P/O’s Stones, Nelson-Edwards and Mayhew shared the destruction of one Heinkel, but the return fire was intense and Flying Officer Peters and Pilot Officer Mayhew failed to return, while Pilot Officer Nelson-Edwards baled out into the sea and was rescued unhurt. On the following day it was learned that Mayhew had been interned in neutral Ireland.

At 1930 hours the first enemy raids were plotted approaching the Coast at Shoreham from the direction of Dieppe. From 2000 hrs onwards, a steady stream of raids crossed the Coast between Portsmouth and Beachy Head, the majority having London as their objective. A few, however, coming in over Portsmouth, flew northwest to the Middle Wallop area. Between 2100 and 0200 hrs, raids of 1 or 1+ aircraft crossed the Coast between Poole and Start Point and flew to the South Wales area, some continuing North to Liverpool. A number of raids crossed the Coast at points between Clacton and the Wash. A few of these approached London from the Northeast, whilst the others were active over East Anglia and the Midlands. Raids were also plotted off Kinnairds Head, in the Aberdeen area and in the Firth of Forth. At 0250 hrs it was noticed that there was a definite tendency with the London raids to fly home eastwards along the Estuary. After 0200 hrs activity was almost entirely confined to the South Eastern Counties and the London area. At 0230 hrs, raids were approaching London both from the South and from the East. Activity continued until 0305 hrs when the last raids were plotted leaving the Country.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 9

RAF

79 Sqn Hurricane G.H.Nelson-Edwards baled out into the Irish Sea, rescued unhurt. Hurricane P5177 G.C.B.Peters and Hurricane P5178 P.F.Mayhew were both posted as missing.

253 Sqn Hurricane P2677 A.Edgley Shot down in action against Me 109s over Weybridge, Surrey at 1625 hrs. Pilot baled out wounded in shoulder, landed at South Heighton, one mile north of Newhaven, East Sussex, and admitted to Hospital.

Hurricane V6621 R.C.Graves Mistakenly attacked and shot down by a Hurricane during action against Me 109s over Weybridge, Surreyat 1830 hrs. Pilot baled out burned near Chailey, East Sussex, and admitted to Brockley Park Hospital, Haywards Heath.

504 Sqn Hurricane L1913 M.E.A.Royce returned to base with oil cooler problem after combat action at 1230 hrs over the Thames Estuary, pilot unhurt.

[Coast]

30th September 1940

Fair with light cloud.

RAF Bomber Command

4 Group. 10 Sqn. Whitley, N1483 ditched off Eire. Flg Off. L.D. Wood, Plt Off K. Humby, and Sgts E.R. Mounsey, C. Douglas-Browne and R.H.Thomas all rescued. Whitley T4130 Missing from Berlin. Shot down near Badbergen. Sgts V. Snell and G.L. Ismay killed, Sgts W.D. Chamberlain, R.E. Nicholson and A.S.Shand PoW. 10 Sqn. Ten aircraft. All bombed. Opposition severe. One FTR, one ditched in Irish Sea, crew saved. Bombing of the Reich Chancellery in Berlin.

RAF Fighter Command

At Ju88 which made a reconnaissance of Chesterfield at 0630 hrs re-crossed the Coast at the Humber and was shot down.Later a Naval Unit was bombed off Harwich. From 0635 hrs single enemy aircraft were active from the Estuary to Beachy Head and inland in two cases to Farnborough and Worthing. At 0900 hrs formations of 30 aircraft including 12 bombers and 50 aircraft all fighters, crossed the Coast East and West of Dungeness respectively. They were preceded by a single aircraft which flew in over Rye. The attack penetrated to Biggin Hill and Kenley. Meanwhile another raid of 12 aircraft patrolled Dungeness eastwards of the attack, just inland, and 50 additional aircraft remained off-shore at Dover and reconnaissance of two convoys off Yarmouth and later off Cromer, were made between 0900 and 0930 hrs.

A depiction of Unteroffizier Ernst Poschenrieder of 7/JG53 as he approached the English coast on 30th September 1940. Later that day Ernst forced landed his Messerschmitt Bf 109E at Broom Hill, Strood, near Rochester after combat with R.A.F. fighters and was taken prisoner

At 1010 hrs a hostile reconnaissance was made over Bedford, Cardington, Duxford, Debden and Eastchurch and 75 enemy aircraft composed of bombers with fighter escort crossed at Dungeness and again flew to the Biggin Hill / Kenley area where the formations were broken up. 25 enemy aircraft patrolled the Straits. By 1030 hrs the raids had turned South while at the same time a single enemy aircraft approached the Firth of Forth but turned away when 40 miles to sea Between 1200 and 1300 hrs other reconnaissances were made and a convoy reported that it was being shadowed. At 1310 hrs some 100 enemy aircraft with 18 others in advance, flew inland at Lympne. A second wave brought up the total to about 180 aircraft in all, with 40 more patrolling at Dover. The formation of 18, followed by the main body, spread inland on a general for London. It was principally held up 20 miles from Central London, but 9 aircraft consisting of JU88s and Me109s penetrated while others approached the Southwestern suburbs. The aircraft were recrossing the coast at 1345 hrs.

At 1608 hrs four raids totalling about 200+ enemy aircraft flew from Dungeness to Biggin Hill and scattered over East Kent from Kenley to Hornchurch. Some flew west and approached Weybridge from the South. These again turned west down the Thames Valley as far as Reading. Dispersal continued and aircraft were over Middle Wallop, North of Tangmere and near Winchester. Bombers predominated in this attack, which finished at about 1730 hrs. Between 1700-1900 hrs there was patrol activity in the Estuary, Straits and from Beachy Head to Dungeness.

1055 hrs: 100 enemy aircraft crossed the Coast at St Albans Head of which 50 came from Cherbourg and 50 from the Seine. A split of 25 flew across Dorset and Devon to the Somerset border, but the remainder penetrated inland only some 15 miles. The raid was over by 1200 hrs. No 10 Group detailed one squadron to patrol Bristol, while the other Squadrons were detailed to counter the attack. No 11 Group sent four Squadrons to patrol Portsmouth-Southampton. At 1635 hrs, while the East Kent raid was in progress, 50 aircraft flew over Portland, a further 50 following the Coast to Lyme Bay. These joined the first formation and flew inland some 20 miles. Weymouth was bombed and damage is also reported in the Yeovil area. By 1700 hrs the aircraft were returning to France. At 1730 hrs a reconnaissance of Southampton was made by a single aircraft and one also crossed the Coast at Bawdsey penetrating only a few miles inland.

1900 hrs: the first night raiders were plotted leaving Seine Bay. These crossed the Coast at Selsey Bill and headed for London. Raids from the Dutch Coast crossed between Orfordness and Harwich, and some of them penetrated through Duxford/Debden areas to approach London from the North. From 2100 hrs onwards, raids from Cherbourg and Havre flew to the Isle of Wight and then to Bristol Channel, spreading to South Wales and the Midlands and up to the Liverpool / Mersey area and at 2200 hrs raids approaching from the East crossed the Coast between the Wash and the Thames Estuary, some heading for London, whilst others spread over East Anglia, penetrating through Lincolnshire to the Nottingham area. There was considerable enemy activity over a widespread area during the earlier part of the night, but after 2330 hrs raids were less in number and from 0100 hrs onwards, were confined almost entirely to an area South of a line from the Wash to St David's Head.

At about1600 hrs on the 30th, Unteroffizier Horst Perez was flying his Bf109E-4/N "White 4" of JG26 from Boulogne on bomber escort. Although JG26 were supposed to be escorting bombers, they never located them and circled round to the North of Eastbourne where they were intercepted at 28,000ft and made for the coast. In the ensuing dogfight the Spitfire of Sgt Don Kingaby of 92 Sqn bounced Perez and the engine of his 109 failed. Apparently there were no shots in the aircraft but he made a forced landing with undercarriage retracted at East Dean, near Eastbourne.

One of the attending British guards during Horst's capture became overzealous in his duty. Either because of the sight of the five victory bars on the rudder of "White 4", the fact that it was German bombs falling on British soil, or any number of other reasons, the guard apparently used his rifle butt and smashed it into the face of the 22 year old compliant captive (some reports say he was shot in the hand and jaw) The aircraft was sent to Canada for evaluation. While there its original engine was lost.

A depiction of Horst Perez and Messerschmitt Bf 109 from JG26 as he surrenders to P.C. Walter Hyde and the local Home Guard after a forced landing near East Dean, Sussex, on 30th September 1940.

Perez’s Bf 109E ‘White 4’ currently on display at Duxford

Two more Bf109’s crash-landed close by on the 30th (and all with 4 miles of my current house). Unteroffizier Fritz Marcks, part of 7th Staffel of JG54 was hit in the coolant system of his Daimler Benz 601 engine and as the temperature quickly rose to 120 DgC it caught fire. He was too low to bale out of E-17, which crash-landed at Rock House Banks near Normans Bay (Pevensey). He was taken prisoner of war.

The closest Battle of Britain crash to my house (less than 2 miles) was that of Bf 109 E-4 of JG53. Less than 10 minutes after Fritz Marcks emerged from his machine at Normans Bay at 1400hrs, Feldweld Walter Scholz was forced to land his 109 ‘Yellow 13’ after he ran out of fuel searching for the bombers he was meant to be escorting. Scholz was adamant he had not been in combat prior to exhausting his fuel and it may be that he was the unknowing target of a stray burst of fire that damaged his fuel tank with the resulting fuel loss.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 46, including:

E-1 5./JG53 WNr.6239 Uffz. Josef Wurmheller, crashed, into the sea

E-1 7./JG54 WNr.6050 Uffz. Fritz Marcks emergency landing at Normans Bay - taken PoW

E-4/N (E-4/B ) WNr.5818 Stab/JG26 Hptm. Walter Kinzle in combat with Hurricane, crashed, bailed out near North Chapel Surrey – taken PoW

E-4 5./JG2 WNr.4861 Uffz. Alois Dollinger killed after combat with Spitfire in the area of Portland he crashed and bailed out

RAF

46 Sqn Hurricane V6748 J.D.Crossman killed, shot down by enemy fighters and crashed in flames at Tablehurst Farm, Forrest Row, 1330 hrs.

56 Sqn Hurricane P2866 K.J.Marston was shot down over Bournmouth he crash-landed and was wounded at 1130hrs. Hurricane L1764 M.H.C.Maxwell crash landed his Hurricane on Chesil Beach after being bounced by Bf 109's at 1700hrs. Hurricane P3088 R.S.J.Edwards baled out of his Hurricane after combat over Portland at 1700hrs. Hurricane N2434 P.H.Fox baled out of his aircraft after combat over Portland at 1700hrs. He was wounded and Hurricane P3655 R.W.Ray was shot down near Portland at 1130hrs

64 Sqn Spitfire P9564 A.F.Laws killed, collided with another Spitfire during routine patrol, 1030 hrs

87 Sqn Hurricane V7307 H.Walton was injured, he baled out at 16:40hrs

92 Sqn Spitfire X4069 A.R.Wright force landed his Spitfire near Shoreham after combat with a Bf 109 at 1700hrs

151 Sqn Hurricane P5182 D.B.F.Nicholls landed safely after his Hurricane was damaged in battle with a Ju 88 over the North Sea at 0730hrs

152 Sqn Spitfire L1072 I.A.E.Reddington was killed as he was shot down off Portland at1645hrs.

222 Sqn Spitfire P9492 I.Hutchinson survived when he wrote off his Spitfire when he force landed at Denham after combat at 1345hrs.

229 Sqn Hurricane P2815 M.Ravenhill killed, shot down by Bf109s, crashed and burned out at Church Road, Ightham, 1040 hrs.Hurricane N2652 N.K.Stansfield was wounded at 1040hrs. He baled out combat with a Bf 109 over Ightham, Kent.and Hurricane P3037 L.B.R.Way baled out of after combat over Kent.

238 Sqn Hurricane L1702 R.A.Kings collided with Hurricane N2474 V.C.Simmonds both bailed out uninjured near Shaftsbury, Dorset.

504 Sqn Hurricane P3414 J.R.Hardacre killed, shot down in combat over the south-west coast and crashed into the sea, 1700 hrs. Pilot's body washed ashore at Yarmouth 10th October 1940.

610 Sqn Spitfire s/n not known C.H. Bacon killed, crashed on Alnmouth Beach due to flying accident.

Civilian casualties of the Blitz in the month are 6,954 killed and 10,615 hurt.

Edinburgh: An arrest was made at the left-luggage office at Waverley station during the night. A German agent had landed earlier by seaplane on a remote beach in Northeast Scotland. deposited a suitcase at the station and when he returned to claim it, a detective superintendent disguised as a porter grabbed his wrist as he reached for his pistol. His accomplice, Karl Drucke had a loaded 6.35 Mauser automatic which was taken from him by Inspector John Simpson after a struggle, a flickknife was found in his suitcase and both Drucke and Vera Eriksenwere were arrested at Buckie, on the Moray Firth, having first been spotted in Port Gordon. The third member of the group, Werner Walti (real name Robert Petter), was arrested in Edinburgh, where he had deposited a wireless set hidden in the suitcase at the Waverley Street luggage office. After extensive MI5 interrogation in London the two men were sentenced to death at the Old Bailey and hanged in Wandsworth Prison on 6th August 1941. The woman, who had been a pre-war part-time informant for MI5, escaped the same penalty.

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity of browsing personal possessions of F/Lt Eric Smicox ‘Boy’ Marrs DFC who lived at Hawkhurst and I have included here, some of his old memorabilia from the Battle of Britain.

Marrs joined the RAF in April 1939 as a Flight Cadet at the RAF College, Cranwell and was granted a Permanent Commission in March 1940 and then later that month joined 152 ‘Hyderabad’ Sqn at Acklington in Northumberland, to fly the Supermarine Spitfire MkIa.

The Squadron moved to Warmwell, Dorset in July 1940, at the start of the Battle of Britain and on 13th August Pilot Officer Marrs claimed his first victory in the air when he ‘destroyed’ a Bf110. Attacking a Junkers Ju88 on 17thSeptember, his Spitfire was hit by return fire and he had to make a forced landing with a seized engine, but he was unhurt. Eight days later during air combat south of Bristol his aircraft sustained damage and he returned to base safely. Then during the morning of 27th September he shot down a Ju88 near Bristol, but not before his aircraft was again hit by return fire though he made it back for a safe landing at his airfield.

During the late afternoon of 30th September, ‘Boy’ Marrs was caught in the crossfire from a formation of Luftwaffe bombers over Portland he was attacking at 1645hrs and bullets struck the armoured windscreen of his Spitfire. He landed back at Warmwell with a damaged undercarriage that only had one wheel and fortunately was yet again relatively unhurt; the aircraft (old faithful) was repairable and used again. Here is his recollection of 30th September 1940, in a letter written to his Father:

On Monday things began again. In the morning some of us (Not me luckily) became mixed up with another of their offensive patrols which consisted of about 80 Me 109 and Me 110 fighters. We did not lose anybody, nor did we shoot down anything. In the afternoon we were sent off to patrol Portland . Soon we saw a large formation of enemy bombers arriving with a large number of Me 110’s as guard. We were just going in to attack when somebody yelled ‘Messerschmitts’ over the R.T. and the whole squadron spilt up. Actually it was a false alarm. Anyway, being on my own I debated what to do. The bombers were my object, I snooped in under the 110’s and attacked the bombers (about 40-50 Heinkel He 111’s) from the starboard beam... I got in a burst of about three seconds when Crash! and the whole world seemed to be tumbling in on me. I pushed the stick forward hard, went into vertical dive and held it until I was below cloud. I had a look round. The chief trouble was that petrol was gushing into the cockpit at the rate of gallons all over my feet, and there was a sort of lake of petrol in the bottom of the cockpit. My knee and leg were tingling all over as if I had pushed them into a bed of nettles.

There was a bullet hole in my windscreen where a bullet had come in and entered the dashboard, knocking away the starter button. Another bullet, I think an explosive one, had knocked away one of my petrol taps in front of the joystick, spattering my leg with little splinters and sending a chunk of something through the backside of my petrol tank near the bottom. I had obviously run into some pretty good crossfire from the Heinkels. I made for home at top speed to get there before my petrol ran out. I was about 15 miles from the aerodrome and it was a heart-rending business with all that petrol gushing over my legs and the constant danger of fire. About five miles from the drome smoke began to come from the dashboard. I thought the whole thing might blow up at any minute, so I switched off my engine. The smoke stopped. I glided towards the drome and tried putting my wheels down. One came down and the other remained stuck up. I tried to get the one that was down up again, it was stuck down. There was nothing for it but to make a one-wheel landing. I switched on my engine again to make the aerodrome. It took me some way and then began to smoke again, so I hastily switched off. I was now near enough and made a normal approach and held off. I made a good landing, touching down lightly. The unsupported wing slowly began to drop. I was able to hold it up for some time and then down came the wing tip on the ground. I began to slew round and counteracted as much as possible with the brake on the wheel was down. I ended up going side-ways on one wheel, a tail wheel and a wing tip. Luckily the good tyre held out and the only damage to the aeroplane, apart from that done by the bullets, is a wing tip, which is easily replaceable. I hopped out and went off to the M.O. to get a lot of metal splinters picked out of my leg and wrist. I felt jolly glad to be down on the ground without having caught fire.......

Here is the actual bullet-scarred windscreen from his Spitfire ‘old faithful’ that was given to Marrs and that I was able to view:

More pictures and documentation:

[Coast]

1st October 1940

Fair, but generally overcast

The 4 weeks of the month were changeable with temperatures mostly near, or slightly below, normal. There were some dry days, and on the 7th, it was sunny all day. Much of the rain was light, but on the 16th, over 17mm fell. On the 20th, the temperature rose above 17°C., but during the last few days of October winds blew from the north and it became much colder. On the 29th, there was an early and late frost and the maximum temperature was only 8.6°C.

RAF Bomber Command

During October, Blenheims returned to limited attacks against German targets, using cloud cover wherever possible to cover their approach. The anti-shipping patrols with little of note to report and as a consequence, more Blenheims were joining the night raids. These returned to the pattern of July and August with smaller numbers of aircraft being sent to multiple targets. The largest single raids were about 20-30 aircraft against the larger German cities and on two nights, 20th/21st and 24th/25th October, Hamburg was bombed by a number Wellingtons which started 12 and 13 fires respectively although the loss of life was slight. German fighters also started marauding flights, whether intention or not, near Bomber Command airfields as the aircraft were departing for their night's mission. Twice, the first time being on 20th/21st October, Whitleys were caught by German night fighters shortly after take-off and shot down. The night of 15th/16th October marked the final operation by Fairey Battles in Bomber Command.

RAF Fighter Command

Three attacks were made in the Kent area and one towards Poole and the Isle of Wight, in each case the numbers of aircraft employed were fewer than of late. Between 0600 and 1300 hrs some 16 raids by single and in one case by 6 aircraft, were made in the Thames Estuary and around the coast to Beachy Head. At 0613 hrs one of these flew inland from Sheppey to Croydon and bombed and machine-gunned Croydon. At 1045 hrs 20 enemy aircraft flew to Swanage and over Poole and inland for 10 to 15 miles. They were met by three Squadrons from 10 Group and re-crossed the coast at 1100 hrs. At the same time 50 enemy aircraft approached the Needles and were met over the sea by 5 Squadrons from 11 Group. The enemy aircraft did not cross the coast and withdrew.

At 1312 hours two raids numbering 50 enemy aircraft crossed the coast at Dover. Of these 30 flew to Maidstone and Biggin Hill. The attack, against which 11 Squadrons were sent up, was of short duration by at 1403 a second attack developed. In the second attack of the day, 50 enemy aircraft appeared flying northwest towards Biggin Hill. A second formation of the same strength followed but withdrew very soon. The first formation returned to France shortly after but single aircraft maintained patrols in North Kent and North Surrey until 1520 hrs. 13 Squadrons were detailed to the attack. At 1610 hrs 70 enemy aircraft in three successive waves flew towards Kenley. 40 of these approached the South East edge of the Inner Artillery Zone but immediately turned southeast. The remainder turned away before reaching London. The aircraft had re-crossed the coast by 1640 hrs. During this attack reconnaissance aircraft were active along the coast from Selsey Bill eastwards and continuous patrols were maintained in the Straits until 1800 hrs.

Enemy activity was on a reduced scale, but raids were scattered over a wide area during the earlier part of the night. The first night bombers came out of Le Havre and Cherbourg area and crossed the Isle of Wight at 1940 hrs. Raids from Dieppe and the Somme crossed the coast between Beachy Head and Dungeness with London as their objective. A number of raids originating from Cherbourg crossed at Portland and flew to Bristol Channel whence they spread to South Wales, West Midlands and up to Chester, Liverpool, Manchester and Preston areas. A few raids were plotted over East Anglia and inland as far as Leicester.

In the early hours of October 1st 1940, a high explosive bomb fell in the garden of a house on Prestbury Avenue, Moss Side. It appears there were no casualties in Prestbury Avenue. The residents of Yew Tree Avenue, just a few hundred metres to the north, were not so lucky. 8 people were killed and 5 were injured. Laurel Avenue was also hit hard.

At 2145 hrs there was a marked lull in the number of fresh raids entering the country. Central London was clear for a time, but at 2340 hrs fresh raids approached from the East and a number were plotted in and out of the Thames Estuary. Some mine laying was suspected. At 0145 hrs a raid was plotted in the Glasgow area but apart from this the activity was almost entirely confined to London and the South East Counties. Raids continued to come out of Dieppe and cross near Beachy Head, but appeared to be active more over the suburbs than over Central London itself. Reduced activity continued over South East England and East Anglia until 0528 hrs when the last raids were leaving the country. Successful activity against factories appeared to be considerably less during the period but it is reported that some damage was caused to the Works of the Standard Motor Co and the Sussex Rubber Co at Acton between 0110 and 0230 hrs.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 6

RAF

41 Sqn Spitfire X4559 G.H.Benions baled out badly wounded after combat with a Bf 109 over Henfield, Sussex at 14:55hrs.

238 Sqn Hurricane P3599 F.A.Sibley killed when his Hurricane was shot down over Poole Harbour at 11:10hrs and Hurricane R4099 A.R.Covington who baled safely near Poole, Dorset at 11:10hrs after combat with a Bf 109

248 Sqn Blenheim IVf R3626 C.C.Bennet, G.S.Clarke and G.B.Brash were all killed in action. They failed to return from a Recce/Sortie off the Norwegian coast

607 Sqn Hurricane P2900 C.E.Bowen was killed, he was shot down by a Bf 110 over the Isle of Wight at 10:50hrs and Hurricane V6686 N.Brumby was also killed as he was shot down by a Bf 110 over the Isle of Wight at 10:50hrs

Between September 7th and September 30th, Fighter Command had lost 242 aircraft compared with the Luftwaffe loss of 433. Nearly twice that of Britain. A new phase opens in which the Germans use their main bomber force almost entirely under cover of darkness. In daylight they send over only small numbers of fast Ju88s together with Messerschmitt fighters at high altitude carrying bombs, protected by further fighters above. This activity occurs every day and proves extremely difficult to deal with, but strategically is of little benefit to the Germans. At night London is bombed heavily (by an average of 150 bombers) every night of the month except one.

[Coast]

2nd October 1940

Fine and clear, becoming cloudy later.

RAF Bomber Command

No ops recorded

RAF Fighter Command

At 0900 hrs, 30 aircraft crossed the coast at Dungeness and flew towards Central London, twelve of them penetrating to the Inner Artillery Zone but all quickly made for home. During the raid thirty aircraft were patrolling round Dover and joined up with the inland formation when they crossed back over the coast at 0920 hrs. Eight fighter squadrons were sent up to intercept. At 0955 hrs about 50 enemy aircraft crossed the Coast at Dungeness, the leading formation of twenty aircraft coming into the IAZ. The remainder approached no further than Kenley. Meanwhile ten enemy aircraft flew inland at Brighton northwards to Biggin Hill, joining the other formations flying south at 1015 hrs. During the raid strong patrols were maintained in the Straits. Bombs were dropped at Woolwich and Hastings. At about 1130 hrs 12+ enemy aircraft approached Maidstone. These were followed by fifty aircraft flying towards Biggin Hill. Some of the latter approached the Inner Artillery Zone in the Crystal Palace area. By 1220 all the aircraft were flying South of Maidstone returning to France. Eight Fighter Squadrons were detailed to this attack. Margate and Lympne were reported to have been bombed.

At 1320 hrs, two raids totalling thirty enemy aircraft flew towards Kenley - Biggin Hill from Dover and Dungeness, while a further fifteen aircraft approached Sheppey. Twenty aircraft reached the East of London. By 1335 hrs all the enemy aircraft were returning to France, although until 1400 hrs considerable activity continued in the Straits with small raids penetrating into East Kent. Bombs were dropped at various suburban places including Camberwell, and at Rochester. At 1455 thirty enemy aircraft flew inland from Dungeness to Biggin Hill - Kenley but only one aircraft penetrated further towards Central London. By 1518 hrs the aircraft had turned away. During the attack five enemy aircraft flew round North Foreland to Sheppey returning by the same route at 1520 hrs. Camberwell was reported to have been bombed again.

German bombing map of London

At 1630 hrs about seventy-five enemy aircraft following the same route as previous raids flew to Biggin Hill where they split, one formation of eight aircraft flying over South East London. The bulk remained in the Biggin Hill area but by 1650 hrs had turned south.

Enemy activity in the evening was again on a reduced scale. At about 1915 hrs the first night raids left bases between Cherbourg and Dieppe to cross the coast between Selsey Bill and Dungeness to approach the London area. Between 2100 and 2200 hrs London and the South East counties were clear of raids, but a steady stream originating from Cherbourg crossed the coast between the Isle of Wight and Bournemouth flying North to the Midlands and up to the Manchester area and in one case as far North as Newcastle. These raids continued until about 0100 hrs and returned in most cases over Wales and the Bristol Channel. Between 2200 and 2300 hrs a fresh wave of raids approached London after crossing the coast between Selsey Bill and Shoreham.

Junkers Ju88 of Stab I/KG77, '3Z + BB', dropped four bombs on the De Havilland factory in Hatfield destroying the 94 Shop and Airspeed Design Office and damaging a number of others. In possibly one of the most devastating hit-and-run German raids of the war on this factory, the mock-up, drawings and design calculations of the AS.49, a single-engine, single-seater fighter powered by a Gipsy VI engine were destroyed leading to the cancellation of the project.

At 0015 hrs raids originating from the Dutch Islands approached the London area, some entering the Estuary and a few by way of the Norfolk Coast, but all these raids had withdrawn by 0230 hours and for a time the whole country was clear. At 0300 hrs fresh raids approached London from the Dieppe area. A few early raids were plotted in Aberdeen and one raid was inland between Middlesbrough and Newcastle. Mine laying was suspected at various points off the North East Coast between the Firth of Forth and the Humber.

St. Mark’s Church in Surbiton was burnt down during the night of 2nd October 1940. An oil bomb hit the building. which was completely gutted.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 17

RAF

603 Sqn P.G.Dexter was wounded whilst flying

The enemy made several attacks during the day but it appeared that only a comparatively small number of aircraft were employed. The southeast Counties received most attention and bombs were dropped at Rochester, Margate, Dover, Hastings, Eastbourne (St Anthony’s Avenue, 3 HE’s landed on houses at 2015hrs, no one killed or injured) and Worthing. Some damage was done to property and a few bombs were dropped in South London.

[Coast]

3rd October 1940

Rain and drizzle in the Channel. Visibility down to 500 yards in places. East of Portland, it was overcast with rain or drizzle, cloud 500-1000 ft. Visibility poor. Wind slight to moderate. West of Portland, mainly cloudy 5/10 - 9/10, 2000 ft to 3000 ft. Visibility good, wind light to moderate, N/E direction

RAF Bomber Command

Seven RAF bombers make daylight raids on Rotterdam, Dunkirk and Cherbourg. That night 81 bombed targets in Germany, Eindhoven airfield and the Channel ports.

RAF Fighter Command

There were no attacks by enemy formations, probably due to adverse weather conditions, but in places especially after mid-day, a fairly continuous succession of raids by single aircraft crossed the coast and in some cases dropped bombs in various parts of the country. Many of the places have no military importance. From 0630 to 1230 hrs nine reconnaissances by single aircraft were made between the Yorkshire Coast and Harwich. In two cases aircraft penetrated far inland, one flying to Worcester, where bombs were dropped, to Birmingham and Wellingborough which was also bombed. The second crossed the coast at Bawdsey, flying to North Weald and Debden. Bombs were dropped near North Weald from 1000 ft. Between 0630 and 1000 hrs, one aircraft approached London from the Estuary and flew to Oxford and back, while other reconnaissances were made in the Estuary and at Hornchurch. At 1126hrs, light AA shot down a Ju88, which had bombed the De Havilland factory at Hatfield (as the day before) destroying the Technical School and assembly shop where much of the work for the early Mosquitoes was promptly smashed. At about 0700 hrs enemy aircraft attacked St Eval from a low height but little damage was done either by bombs or machine gun fire. The main hangar at General Aircraft's Feltham works, where Hurricanes were being repaired, was damaged. Reconnaissances were made by aircraft flying from the South West towards the Bristol Channel, Filton and then to Bournemouth, from Poling to Swindon and back, and off the Anglesey Coast.

Between 1300 and 1500 hours a succession of raids by single aircraft crossed the coast from Isle of Wight to Skegness, the principal lane of entry being Kenley - Biggin Hill, Northolt - North Weald, and Debden. Fifteen raids were plotted between Harwich and the Estuary. Two aircraft in one raid flew across England to South Wales Twelve raids coming from Le Havre crossed between Selsey Bill and Beachy Head and six raids from Dieppe and Calais flew mostly to the London area. From 1500 hrs raids crossed the coast between Beachy Head and Selsey Bill flying inland and in one case to the Bedford area. This aircraft on its return flight located a convoy near Selsey, which it bombed. A further track was plotted between 1500 and 1700 hrs, sixteen raids coming from Dieppe and crossing between Beachy Head and Dungeness flew to London and the Estuary. Two meteorological flights were plotted in the afternoon 100 miles East of Firth of Forth.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 9

RAF - 0

Churchill appointed Kingsley Wood as Chancellor of the Exchequer and Herbert Morrison becomes Home Secretary and Minister of Home Security on this day in 1940. Morrison announced plans to install a million bunks and sanitation in the shelters and tube stations of London.

Following a visit by Churchill to the famous underground bunker at Dollis Hill he said, "We must make sure that the centre of Government functions harmoniously and vigorously. This would not be possible under conditions of almost continuous air raids. PADDOCK (the codename for the alternative War rooms) was built at the start of the World War II on the site of the Post Office Research and Development Station. Its purpose was to act as an alternative underground control and command centre for Central Government should a devastating air attack on Whitehall force Government to evacuate central London. PADDOCK would provide protected accommodation for the War Cabinet and the Chief of Staff of the air, naval and land forces, acting as a stand-by to the Cabinet War Room that was, from 1938, located in the adapted basement of the Office of Works building in Storey's Gate, opposite St. James's Park.

A movement to PADDOCK by echelons of the War Cabinet, War Cabinet Secretariat, Chiefs of Staff Committee and Home Forces GHQ must now be planned and may even begin in some minor respects. War Cabinet Ministers should visit their quarters in PADDOCK and be ready to move there at short notice. They should be encouraged to sleep there if they want quiet nights. All measures should be taken to render habitable both the Citadel and Neville's Court. Secrecy cannot be expected but publicity must be forbidden."

The War Cabinet met at PADDOCK at 11.30 a.m. on 3rd October 1940. Churchill, twelve other Ministers and the three Chiefs of Staff attended the meeting. Churchill was not impressed by PADDOCK, in a minute to the Cabinet Secretary on October 22nd he wrote "The accommodation at PADDOCK is quite unsuited to the conditions which have arisen" and he told one of his chief war advisors Sir Edward Bridges, "The War Cabinet cannot live and work there for weeks on end. PADDOCK should be treated as a last resort"

[Coast]

4th October 1940

Mist, rain and poor visibility throughout the day. Fog at night.

RAF Bomber Command

No ops recorded

RAF Fighter Command

Reconnaissance of shipping was reported: during one of these an interception was made with inconclusive results, the enemy escaping into cloud. Inland and coastal flights and a few reconnaissances of convoys were made from 0600 to 1100 hrs. At about 0830 hrs the Fairlight Chain Home Low (CHL) Radar Station near Hastings was attacked.

At 1100 hrs numerous single aircraft started crossing the Coast between Beachy Head and Dover, flying towards London. The activity gradually increased until about 1500 when it reached its peak, after which it decreased until 1645 hours, when a fresh stream started coming in. The majority of these flew only as far as Biggin Hill and Kenley but some penetrated the Inner Artillery Zone. This activity ceased at 1730 hrs. A few sporadic raids occurred until dusk. Bombing was fairly extensive in Outer London, Kent, Surrey and Suffolk.

At 1725 hrs all fighter Squadrons in 11 Group were grounded on account of weather. Between 1000 and 1100 hrs two raids entered Lyme Bay; one flew to the Bristol Channel and Liverpool, and the other to the Bristol Channel, thence to Hereford and South East to Selsey. At 1000 hrs a single aircraft flew in at Selsey Bill to Farnborough where it circled for some time. At about 1905 hrs a stream of raids commenced from the Abbeville region on the most intense scale yet observed after dark. The enemy aircraft were shown as crossing the Channel in lines ahead spaced at 3 to 5 mile internals. A few raids also came from Baie de Seine over Shoreham. The stream from Abbeville was maintained and it is estimated that over 100 raids passed over the route in the two hours to 2100 hrs, while at the same time the stream from Baie de Seine narrowed and became more active, with 20 or more raids passing during the hour 2000 to 2100. The target of all the above raids was London.

One raid also visited Bristol and two or three were apparently mine laying in the Thames Estuary. One raid also visited Liverpool. 34 raids were plotted in between Beachy Head and Dungeness to London, but only eight pierced the central zone, the remainder spreading to South West and North West London and up to North Weald and Debden. A further 24 raids followed to the same area, but spreading further and covering the whole of the South East, and as far West as Swindon. Two raids from the North Dutch Coast visited Berwick and Newcastle, and Eyemouth and Dunbar. A further 12 raids from the South followed the usual route to South East England and 16 raids from the Dutch Coast flew in between Cromer and Harwich, across East Anglia, and then South over North West and West London and out at Beachy Head. One raid entered at Solway Firth, to near Carlisle and then flew South the whole length of England and out at Weymouth. By 0100 hrs the country was clear. At 0200 small activity recommenced and ten raids from Dieppe had flown to London by 0245 hrs. No further raids followed, and by 0330 hours the whole country was again clear. There was no subsequent enemy activity reported during the period to 0600 hrs.

The Fairey Aviation Company was bombed at 2355 hrs. A hangar and several aircraft were reported damaged. An HE bomb caused a fire at Hawkers Aircraft Factory at Kingston. The shelter and stores were hit but only minor damage is reported. Some HE bombs were dropped in Erith and damage was done to the premises of Burt, Bolton and Heywood. Enfield Rolling Mills Cable Co received major damage from an HE at 2100 hrs. The water supply was temporarily curtailed and production slightly interrupted. Houghton Butcher's Factory was attacked at 2343 hrs. Fire caused severe damage to 2 buildings.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 12

RAF

66 Sqn K.McL Gillies was killed at 1600hrs while on patrol in his Spitfire I (X4320). He failed to return from an interception of a He 111 off the East Coast. His aircraft crashed off Covenhithe, Suffolk.

Keith Park issued new observations and instructions to sector controllers and to squadron commanders, whose pilots were becoming fretful at the frequency with which they are still at an unfavourable height when they met the enemy. Park assured them:

"I wish the squadron commanders and sector controllers to know everything humanly possible is being done by group to increase the warning received of incoming raids. With the prevailing cloudy skies and inaccurate heights given by the RDF the group controllers' most difficult problem is to know the height of the incoming raids."

Park then detailed what steps were being taken to correct this situation, including the formation of a special reconnaissance flight at Gravesend.

"Whatever time permits I wish you to get the readiness squadrons in company over sector aerodromes. Spitfires 25,000 ft, Hurricanes 20,000 ft, and wait until they report they are in good position before sending them to patrol lines or to intercept raids having a good track in fairly clear weather.

[Coast]

5th October 1940

Local showers in most parts, bright periods, winds light and variable. With better weather on this day, Bf109s and 110s operate high over Kent and London, then KG77 mounted an afternoon raid on Southampton.

RAF Fighter Command

Fighter Command flies 1,175 sorties - a record.

At 0930 hrs a small scale attack by thirty Bf109s was made on Dover from 1000 ft. Interception was effected at Maidstone and the enemy aircraft were soon recrossing the coast. At 1045 hrs 150 enemy aircraft crossed the coast at or near Lympne and spread fanwise through Kent. A formation of 100 enemy fighters flew towards London, but only some ten penetrated the Inner Artillery Zone. A second formation of fifty enemy bombers remained near the coast. At 1340 hrs a raid of thirty enemy aircraft approached the Needles and flew to Southampton and inland for about 25 miles. At the same time fifty enemy aircraft crossed the coast at Swanage and flew mostly over Poole and Weymouth but some elements penetrated some 30 miles before they retired. Seven Squadrons were detailed to intercept this raid with 607 Sqn (Tangmere) bounced by 109s over Swanage and four Spitfires shot down, all pilots surviving unhurt At 1345 hrs, 120 enemy aircraft flew inland between Eastbourne and Folkestone and 70 aircraft of these continued towards London, fifty penetrating the IAZ and twenty getting no further than South London. Twenty aircraft cruised about in East Kent and the Estuary, while the remainder patrolled the Coastal area from Deal to Beachy Head. Bf110s of Erpro 210 attack the new airfield at West Malling offering the Polish pilots of 303 Sqn an opportunity they seized eagerly. Four of the 110s, including the Kommandeur, were shot down and two more crash-landed with injured crews in the Pas de Calais

At 1545 hrs, twenty enemy aircraft crossed the coast at Hastings and flew towards Kenley; a split from this raid went to Tangmere and Maidstone. At the same time twenty other enemy aircraft crossed at Dungeness flying towards Biggin Hill. Until 1630 hrs strong patrols were maintained in the Straits. At 1715 hrs fifty enemy aircraft crossed the Isle of Wight and flew inland covering Portsmouth - Southampton - Tangmere. By 1730 hrs they had turned south. Forty enemy aircraft crossed the English coast during this period, twenty-six from Abbeville, twelve from Le Havre and two from Cherbourg areas. Practically all concentrated on London. Further raiders were plotted originating as follows: - Dutch Coast 17, Le Havre 4, Cherbourg 9, Baie Seine 10, Dieppe-Boulogne 8. The main objective continued to be London, but raids were also widespread in Essex and Cambridgeshire. Two enemy aircraft were plotted over Liverpool and mine laying was suspected in the Thames Estuary, in the Humber and off Flamborough Head. Thirty-six additional enemy aircraft entered during this period, the majority still heading for London, although Cambridgeshire and Norfolk were also widely covered. Seventeen of these raids came from the Dutch Coast, the remainder from the usual French sources. One raider was reported burnt out near Colmworth, Beds, cause unknown.

An HE bomb was dropped near the Tecalemit Factory at Brentford causing extensive damage to glass and frames. Production was, however, only suspended for a few hours. Luxfer Ltd of Willesden was slightly damaged by an HE bomb but production was only affected in a very small way. Numerous bombs were dropped on the Borax Works at Erith, which caused a fire. A thirty-pump fire occurred at C & E Morton's Factory at Millwall. A fire broke out at the premises of Amos & Smith King George Dock, Hull, but this was not caused by enemy activity. It is reported that Willesden Power Station had received a direct hit, which caused the Works to be closed for the second time in a week. Damage was feared to be extensive. Major damage was done to the LMS yard at Cricklewood. The carriage sheds and goods siding suffered most. A signal cabin and the down line were destroyed by an HE bomb at 1025 hours at Gillingham, Kent. At Lewes, the railways services were suspended owing to the presence of an unexploded bomb. A single raider starts a fire at Hawker's Kingston factory, and New Cross, London telephone exchange is also seriously damaged.

Helmut Wick, Gruppenkommandeur of I./JG 2 who some claimed had shot down five RAF fighters (3 of 607 Sqn and 2 of 238 Sqn) in the Isle of Wight area on the 5th October 1940 between 1500hrs and 1840 hrs.(see actual losses for the day below)

Losses

Luftwaffe – 9

RAF

1 (R.C.A.F) Sqn Hurricane P3873 H.de M Molson was shot down by fighters and baled out over Canterbury, wounded, he returned to Canada early in 1941.

238 Sqn Hurricane P3611 J.R.MacLachlan was shot down by a Bf 109 over Shaftsbury at 1420hrs. He baled out of his Hurricane with burns.

303 Sqn Hurricane P3892 W.Januszewicz was on patrol when he was shot down and killed by a Bf 109 at 1200hrs over Stowting, Kent.

603 Sqn Spitfire K9807 J.S.Morton was on patrol at 1155hrs when his Spitfire was shot down by a Bf 109 of JG 53 over Dover. He baled out but was burned.

607 Sqn Hurricane P3554 D.Evans was on patrol over Swanage. A Bf 109 shot him down at 14:00hrs but he baled out safely

609 Sqn Spitfire N3223 T.Nowierski from Poland was saved when he baled out of his Spitfire over Salisbury Plain after undercarriage failure on at 1815hrs.

P/O C.A. ‘Bogle’ Bodie of 66 Sqn had his toughened windshield put to the test during a head on confrontation with a BF 109 over Tenterden on the 5th of October 1940, just like Eric ‘Boy’ Marrs a few days before.

A lot of the information contained in this diary is from sources on the web, in books and from personal anecdotes and recollections. I will be acknowledging the sources of the information contained in here at the end of the diary - on the anniversary of the official closing date of the Battle of Britain.

[Coast]

6th October 1940

Very overcast with continuous rain all day

RAF Fighter Command

Operations by enemy aircraft by day have been on a small scale and were generally carried out by single aircraft; several attacks on aerodromes are reported. Three threatened attacks in force did not materialise and degenerated into patrols in the channel. During the morning these raids were particularly directed against the Dover/Deal area, whereas, in the afternoon, they were concentrated more particularly on the Inner Artillery Zone. Some penetrated s far as Reading, Bedford, Bicester, Duxford, Bury St Edmunds, Attleborough and Brighton. At 1042 hrs near the gas works in Northbourne Road, Eastbourne, 1 casualty with damage to gas and water services caused by 3 HE bombs. At 1330 hrs there were two raids over a convoy. Two sections fighters were despatched to intercept and at 1430 hrs a raid of 12+ flew over the same convoy and crossed in and out over the coast near Aldeburgh. The Hawker Aircraft Factory at Slough was attacked again at 1650 hrs. There was slight damage to one of the shops. An unexploded bomb is reported in one of the concrete floors. Fire broke out at Shell Mex BP premises at Purfleet at 1712 hrs. Five tanks of oil were involved but the position was not serious. One office damaged. Turner's Asbestos Works at Erith were set alight by enemy aircraft with the result that three blocks of buildings and some cutting machines were destroyed. The Luftwaffe attacked the Standard Telephones & Cables Ltd Works at North Woolwich and caused slight damage to the buildings. The Vauxhall Works at Luton were also bombed but no damage was reported.

At 2000 hrs only one enemy aircraft was detected over England. It flew from Dieppe, over Shoreham, towards Kenley and Northolt, and then out East. At 2100 hrs another flew in to near Reading, on to the Birmingham area, Bury St Edmunds, Duxford and North Weald, across the Inner Artillery Zone, and out over Romney at 2320 hrs. One further raid flew in at Beachy Head at 2120 hrs over London to Waltham Abbey and Hatfield and then South and out at Romney at 2230 hrs. The navigation of these two flights was a remarkable feature, carried out in conditions reported at 10/10 cloud, base at 100/500 feet. Fires occurred at 0145 hrs at Siemens Bros, Woolwich, but no damage was reported. A fire was however reported at Loders & Nuceline Factory at Silvertown. At 0515 hrs four raids from the Dutch Islands approached London. One entered the Inner Artillery Zone at 0548 hrs, with others over Debden, Blackwater, and Brighton. These raids were still in progress at 0600 hrs.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 9

RAF

64 Sqn Spitfire R6683 F.F.Vinyard was on patrol and was killed when he crashed into the sea off Flamborough Head, Yorkshire at 1420hrs (cause unknown).

303 Sqn Hurricane P3102 A.Siudak from Poland was killed when the aircraft he was in was bombed on the ground at Northolt by a lone raider at 1200hrs

Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir William Sholto Douglas was appointed as head of Fighter Command in October 1940. He remained in this role throughout 1941. Douglas and Trafford Leigh-Mallory clashed with the head of 11 Group, Keith Park, and the head of Fighter Command Hugh Dowding over strategy in the Battle of Britain. Douglas argued for a more aggressive engagement with a 'Big Wing’ strategy. When Charles Portal was made Chief of the Air Staff on 6th October 1940 he supported Douglas, moving Park and Dowding and appointing Douglas to replace Dowding as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOCinC) of Fighter Command.

The Eagle Squadrons were 3 fighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force formed during World War II with volunteer pilots from the United States. While many US recruits simply crossed the border and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force to learn to fly and fight, many of the early recruits had originally come to Europe to fight for Finland against the Soviets in the Winter War. Charles Sweeny, a wealthy businessman living in London, began recruiting American citizens to fight as a US volunteer detachment in the French Air force, echoing the Lafayette Escadrille of the Great War. With the fall of France a dozen of these recruits joined the RAF. Sweeny's efforts were also co-ordinated in Canada by World War I air ace Billy Bishop and with artist Clayton Knight who formed the Clayton Knight Committee, who, by the time the USA entered the war in December 1941, had processed and approved 6,700 applications from Americans to join the RCAF or RAF. Sweeny and his rich society contacts bore the cost (over $100,000) of processing and bringing the US trainees to the UK for training.

[Coast]

7th October 1940

Variable cloud; showers at times.

RAF Bomber Command

30 Wellington's of 3 Group and 12 Whitley's of 4 Group attack Berlin at night. This is the heaviest raid on Berlin so far, 50 tons of HEs are dropped. 25 are left dead and 50 wounded. Two aircraft failed to return.

RAF Fighter Command

October 7th saw a small but ineffective raid on Portsmouth and the west country, but 10 Group responded. Between 0920 hours and 1040 hours ten raids, totalling about 120 aircraft, flown over South East England, some of them penetrating as far as Gravesend and East London. It is reported that they were in the proportion of three fighters to one bomber. At 1040 hrs in Enys Road, Bedfordwell Road and Carew Road, Eastbourne, 3 HE bombs cased 6 casualties and serious damage to Princess Alice Hospital. 11 Group despatched 16 Squadrons to meet this attack, which had terminated by 1105 hours. At about 1250 hours waves of enemy aircraft totalling 130+ crossed the coast between North Foreland and Beachy Head. They penetrated to Biggin Hill and South and South East London, and the last of the raiders had not returned to France until 1400 hours. 11 Group ordered 13 Squadrons to oppose. At 1530 hours 50+ enemy aircraft were plotted crossing the coast near Romney. They flew again to Biggin Hill and East London. The country was again clear by 1620 hours. At 1630 hours a further flight of 30 enemy aircraft crossed the coast at Dungeness, penetrated to Central and North East London, but quickly turned back to France at 1645 hours.

At about 1530 hours 50+ enemy aircraft from Cherbourg flew to St Alban's Head and on over Dorset as far as Yeovil and then, the heaviest raid of the day, commenced around 1630 hrs as Ju88s of II/KG 51 escorted by Bf110s of ZG 26 attacked the Westland Aircraft factory at Yeovil in Somerset. 609 Sqn (Middle Wallop) responded at the order of AVM Brand, as well as 152 Sqn (Warmwell), 238 Sqn (Middle Wallop) and 601 Sqn (Filton). 152 spotted the formation first; there was a formation of 25 Junkers Ju88s escorted by 50 Bf 110s who were flying above and behind the bombers. Warmwell’s Spitfires were in front and above, and dived into the bombers splitting them up before the 110s moved in and give the bombers protection. 601 joins in and dogfight the 110s while the Spitfires attack the bomber formation. Some of the bombers got through and succeed in causing damage to the Westland factory by dropping over 80 high explosive and 6 oil bombs onto the complex. Over 100 people were casualties when one of the bombs scored a direct hit on an air-raid shelter. 2 Ju 88s and 7 Bf 110s are shot down at the expense of five British fighters destroyed and two badly damaged. The casualty list of aircraft may have been higher had not a squadron of Bf 109s come to the rescue of the bombers and the 110s as they retreated.

Bf 110 of ZG 26 'Horst Wessel' refuelling in France

From 1900 Hrs to 2100 Hrs, no less than 80 enemy aircraft were plotted during this period, coming from various French districts, the Dutch Coast and Denmark. Some 7 raids penetrated to the Midlands and Lancashire, two visited Newcastle and several ranged over East Anglia, but the bulk concentrated on the London area. The raids from Denmark flew to Scotland, four being plotted in the Firth of Forth district and three around Arbroath. Between 2100 Hrs to 2300 Hrs a further 40 raiders were deployed during this period, 15 of which operated over South East England and London. 14 Aircraft were destroyed in the raid on RAF Hendon when a bomb hit Hangar ‘A’ at 2120 hrs. The remainder was widely scattered over South Wales and the Bristol Channel areas, the Midlands and Lancashire, East Anglia, Sunderland and Firth of Forth districts.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 21

RAF

41 Sqn Spitfire N3267 D.A.Adams baled out safely during an attack on a Dornier Do 17 over Folkestone at 1045hrs.

56 Sqn Hurricane P3154 D.H.Nicholls was injured when he baled out of over Yeovil after combat at 1600hrs. His aircraft crashed at Alton Pancras, Somerset.

152 Sqn Spitfire N3039 H.J.Akroyd was shot down near Lyme Regis at 1640hrs. H.J.Akroyd died of his injuries the following day

222 Sqn Spitfire P9469 J.W.Broadhurst was killed when he baled out after attacking a bomber at 1650hrs over Salehurst.

238 Sqn Hurricane V6777 A.R.Covington was injured and baled after combat with a Bf 109 over Blandford at 1620hrs. His aircraft crashed at Wynford Eagle, Dorset.

501 Sqn Hurricane V6800 N.J.M.Barry was killed when he was shot down at 1040hrs over Wrotham, Kent – he was 22.

601 Sqn Hurricane R4218 H.C.Mayers was injured when he force landed his Hurricane at 1405hrs after combat with a Bf 110 over Portland. Mayers was awarded the D.F.C.

602 Sqn Spitfire X4016 B.E.P.Whall was killed when he crash landed his Spitfire after combat with Ju 88's at 1750hrs. His aircraft crashed at Lullington, Somerset and he died of his wounds.

603 Sqn Spitfire N3109 H.F.K.Matthews was shot down whilst flying by Bf 109's of JG 26 over Kent and was killed at 1045hrs, aged 28.

605 Sqn Hurricane V7305 I.J.Muirhead baled safely over Bexley, Kent at 1145hrs after combat with a Bf 109 and Hurricane P3677 C.E.English was shot down over Westerham at 1400hrs by Bf 109's. He baled out but his parachute got caught on the tail plane and he was killed.

607 Sqn Hurricane L1728 I.B.Difford, a South African was killed when his Hurricane collided with Hurricane P3860 of I.M.W.Scott at 1600hrs.

609 Sqn Spitfire N3238 A.N.Feary was killed when he baled out after combat with a Bf 109 over Yeovil at 1630hrs and Spitfire N3231 M.E.Staples was wounded when he baled out after combat with a Bf 109 over Yeovil at 1630hrs

[Coast]

8th October 1940

Fair generally, but overcast in the South East. The weather allowed several large formations to reach London in the morning, with more attacks in the afternoon.

RAF Fighter Command

At 0833 hrs 50+ enemy aircraft crossed the coast near Dungeness and, flying in close formation, attacked London at 0850 hrs. They then split into small sections and flew out, being met by a raid of 100+, which reached the South London - Biggin Hill - Kenley area by 0915 hrs. At 0919 hrs three naval units are reported to have been dive-bombed off South Foreland. This was followed by a smaller raid of 10+ which flew 10 miles inland from Beachy Head and out at Dungeness. 11 Squadrons were despatched to intercept these raids. 30+ aircraft crossed the coast at Lympne at 1025 hrs and after reaching the Hornchurch area left by Folkestone at 1058 hrs. A raid of 30+ from Cap Gris Nez came in at Lympne at 1115 hrs and penetrated to South and East London. At 1225 hrs two raids of 20+ each flew inland from Folkestone to the Kenley - Biggin Hill area and out again.

At 1040 hrs two aircraft flew from Beachy Head to Biggin Hill and Dungeness, another circled Rye, and one coming inland at Eastbourne flew to Biggin Hill and Kenley. Between 1300 and 1700 hrs reconnaissances were made of Hastings, Biggin Hill, Beachy Head, Dungeness, Deal, Faversham, Selsey Bill and the North Foreland. There was increased activity in the North Sea and off the East Anglian Coast between 1500 and 1700 hrs and a convoy reported that it was being shadowed at 1550 hrs. Two convoys were reconnoitred in the Thames Estuary at about 1640 hrs and one off Dover at 0650 hrs. The latter was fired at from Cap Gris Nez between 0800 and 0900 hrs and there was also considerable air activity in the Straits at this time. Following on reconnaissances during the early evening, hostile night activity commenced from Cherbourg. These sorties, rather unusually, took the form of a concentration of about 20 enemy aircraft on a wide front between Portland and Southampton, which penetrated just inland, to the Portsmouth - Southampton area.

The first of three raids on Eastbourne came at 1615hrs and cemented on Lismore Road, Terminus Road and North Street where there was fire damage to property caused by 1 HE bomb & 2 oil bombs. The second raid of the day at 1708 hrs, saw 2 HE bombs fall between Hartington Place, Trinity Place and Cavendish Place: 1 person was killed and 3 injured. Finally at 1845hrs in Cavendish Place near to the Railway Station, there was 1 death but surprisingly little damage from the 8 HE bombs. Other raids entered the country from the areas Le Havre; Dieppe and the Dutch Islands, the majority having the London area as their objective, while a few were operating in East Anglia and towards Liverpool. Approximately 100 enemy raids entered during this period. Mine laying was suspected off the North East Coast between Hartlepool and St Abb's Head and between Flamborough Head and Humber. Enemy aircraft activity was maintained during the early portion of this period but later showed a distinct slackening. The areas covered were practically identical with earlier ones, many of the outgoing aircraft homing to Cherbourg. Mine laying was apparently continued off the North East Coast. It was also reported that there was an attack on the Rootes' works at Speke, Liverpool. Ford aerodrome was attacked with bombs and also machine-gunned. One Boston aircraft of 23 Sqn was written off and in addition one Blenheim was damaged, and the aerodrome was rendered unserviceable. Shoreham was attacked by three enemy aircraft with bombs and machine-gun fire – the aerodrome rendered unserviceable. Brize Norton was attacked at 2035 hrs, West Malling aerodrome was also attacked with 2 HE and hundreds of incendiary bombs

Losses

Luftwaffe – 14

RAF

66 Sqn, Spitfire R6779, G.H. Corbett killed, shot down in combat with Bf109s, crashed and burned out on Bayford Marshes, Upchurch, 0930 hrs.

Spitfire N3403, R.A.Ward killed, shot down in combat with Bf109s over north Kent, crashed off Valley View Road, Borstal, near Rochester, 1155 hrs.

74 Sqn Spitfire P7329, D Hastings killed, mid-air collision during practice attacks over base, crashed inverted south of Green Farm, Gillingham, 1540 hrs and Spitfire P7373, F.W. Buckland killed, collided with D Hastings, who crashed at Ivy House Farm, Gillingham also at 1540 hrs.

229 Sqn Hurricane V6820, Sgt J.R. Farrow killed, lost formation in cloud and fell out of control over Bovingdon, Dorset aircraft disintegrated at 200 feet, 1205 hrs. He was 24

264 Sqn Defiant N1627, H.I. Goodall, and Sgt R.B.M. Young killed, crashed at Marlow, exact cause unknown, reputedly result of enemy action.

303 Sqn Hurricane R4175, J Frantisek killed, crashed at Cuddington Way, Ewell, Surrey, during routine patrol at 0940 hrs. The exact cause of the crash is unclear but battle fatigue and exhaustion, or a flying error whilst performing aerobatics to impress his girlfriend, who lived nearby, or a combination of these two have been suggested as possibilities. The top scoring pilot (ace) of the BoB, Sgt. Josef Frantisek recorded 17 victories flying with the Polish 303 Sqn.

The first twenty-four Indian pilots from the 4th Pilots Course were sent to the UK for Conversion training and arrived on the 8th October 1940. Even though they could take part only after the Battle of Britain, many of them distinguished themselves flying operations with the various commands.

F/O Mahendra Singh Pujji DFC in the cockpit of his Hawker Hurricane named 'Amrit' after his fiancée. He flew in a combat role from emblematic RAF stations such as Kenley (the operating base of "Sailor" Malan, Johnny Johnson, and earlier, of Douglas Bader), putting his life on the line to defend the British mainland and flew in some of the Allies' first offensive operations over occupied France.

Churchill reported that civilian deaths from air raids, at one time reaching 6,000 a week, have halved. "On that particular Thursday night 180 persons were killed in London as a result of 251 tons of bombs. That is to say, it took one ton of bombs to kill three-quarters of a person. Statisticians may amuse themselves by calculating that after making allowance for the law of diminishing returns, through the same house being struck twice or three times over, it would take ten years at the present rate for half the houses of London to be demolished. After that, of course, progress would be much slower."

[Coast]

9th October 1940

Fair to the North. Mixed cloud with rain over the Channel and Northern France.

RAF Bomber Command

108 aircraft raid the battleship Tirpitz in dry dock at Wilhelmshaven.

RAF Fighter Command

A bomb fell on St. Paul's Cathedral in the early morning, exploding inside the roof and severely damaging the High Altar.

Between 0600 and 0700 hrs one aircraft from Holland flew to Hatfield and one to Bedford. One aircraft crossed the coast at Harwich and was at Leighton Buzzard at 0821 leaving by Shoeburyness and at about the same time one aircraft flew from the Dutch Islands to Bury St Edmunds and out via Southwold. Reconnaissances between 0900 hrs and 1100 hrs were carried out on Debden leaving by Blackwater; from Dieppe via Hastings to Biggin Hill, Northolt and Kenley leaving by Dover. An unidentified aircraft (possibly a Ju88) flew from the Wash to Boston, Nottingham, Burton on Trent, Shrewsbury and Crewe where it was lost. At 1010 hours bombs fell near Vickers Armstrong Works at Weybridge, but only one house was slightly damaged. At 1100 hours a single enemy aircraft dropped bombs on the English Electric Works at Stafford. Only slight damage was done, and there were twenty minor casualties.

At 1108 hrs, enemy aircraft crossed the coast at Folkestone, and 20+ penetrated to South East London thence flying out by North Foreland. At 1133 hrs 30+ aircraft came in at Rye and flew to Gravesend, Hornchurch and Canewdon, and left by the Thames Estuary. At the same time, a raid of 12+ entering at Folkestone passed over Maidstone and went South. Two other raids, one of 12+ and one of 20+ flew inland from Lympne and another raid of 12+ passed over Dungeness on a North Easterly course to Dover. A raid of 30+ enemy aircraft entered the country at Eastbourne and turned south at Cranbrook. All these raids originated in the Calais area. At 1133 hrs, one enemy aircraft from Gris Nez reconnoitred from Selsey Bill to Portsmouth and was successfully intercepted on its return flight.

Of four small raids tracked out to sea between Start Point and Lands End from 1300 to 1410 hrs, two reconnoitred two convoys. At 1430 hrs enemy aircraft were massing for an attack from the Boulogne/Gris Nez/Calais area and approximately 160 to 180 aircraft crossed the coast near Lympne at 1438 hrs and attacked East London. They were active in an area bounded by Hornchurch, Biggin Hill, Dungeness, Dover and the Thames Estuary. No 11 Group despatched 9 Squadrons and No 12 Group 3 Squadrons to meet this attack. The enemy maintained patrols in the Straits of Dover throughout this period. Between 0900 and 1100 hrs, two small raids from Dieppe attacked Bexhill and another attacked Rye. An unexploded bomb fell in the Milling Shop at Siemens, Woolwich, at 1514 hours. At 1730 hrs 2+ enemy aircraft crossed the coast at Dungeness and flew out via Rye, and at 1750 a raid of 12+ entered at Dungeness and went northwards over the coast to Romney.

A terraced house in Raglan Street, Newport bombed on 9th October 1940

Night activity commenced at about 1850 hrs, raids crossing the coast towards two main objectives. The first was the Liverpool/Manchester area, the enemy crossing near Swanage from the Cherbourg area. About 6 aircraft were involved in this attack and they returned on reciprocal tracks. About 90 aircraft crossed the coast from Baie De La Seine, Dieppe and Holland, between Selsey and Cromer toward the main objective of London. HE bombs fell at Marconi's W/T Co, Vauxhall Works, SE8 causing 8 casualties, at 2020 hours. No details of damage are available. Mine laying was probable from the Wash to St Abb's Head and there was also slight activity over East Anglia. There was little activity except around 2300 hrs. Mine laying, however, increased and extended from Montrose to the Estuary. There were also small raids by single aircraft in the West County and near Catterick. By 2330 hours activity had almost ceased and throughout the period only isolated enemy aircraft were operating towards London. 1 raid was reported near Derby.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 9

RAF

92 Sqn Spitfire X4597 E.T.J.Frith was badly burned when he baled out following combat with Bf 109's near Ashford, Kent at 1250hrs. He died from his injuries on the 17th of October 1940.

235 Sqn Blenheim IVf N3530 J.C.Kirkpatrick, R.C.Thomas and G.E.Keel were shot down over the Channel and killed at 1730hrs. They were flying aerodrome protection duty South of Thorney Island

Winston Churchill was elected as Tory Party leader in succession to Neville Chamberlain who retired from the government the previous week for health reasons. The decision - taken at a private party meeting - was reported to have been unanimous. Mr Chamberlain had continued as Tory leader after relinquishing the premiership.

Mr Churchill had many enemies in the party before the outbreak of war, and there was an abortive attempt by party establishment figures this morning to appoint formally a deputy leader "to keep an eye on the boss". After his election Mr Churchill, who knew what had been going on, referred obliquely to his past differences with the party - sometimes while a member of it and sometimes not. "Varying opinions are entertained about my career," he said with a grin. "But I think I can call myself a Tory."

[Coast]

10th October 1940

Showery with bright intervals. Haze in the Thames Estuary and East Anglia.

RAF Bomber Command

2 Group: Operation Medium with the Royal Navy. 11 Blenheims bombing shipping and defending guns in the Bassins Charles X and Napoleon III at Cherbourg and spotting for the heavy guns of HMS Revenge. Wellingtons of 3 Group light the target area, the sea and the coastline. (A warning note was given. Shells from HMS Revenge would reach 5,000 feet during trajectory.)

RAF Fighter Command

At 0710 hrs, F/O Drummond took off in his Spitfire QJ-X with the rest of 92 Sqn to patrol Maidstone. After 40 uneventful minutes they were vectored onto a Dornier 17 just east of Brighton. All nine Spitfires descended on the enemy aircraft but experienced real difficulty in firing as their windscreens were iced up meaning the deflector sights could not be used. Two of the Spitfires got in close, fired some bursts and got out. The Dornier flew on. John and P/O Bill Williams both attempted beam attacks from either side of the Dornier. They missed and continued turning blindly towards each other. Their Spitfires touched, the starboard wing of John’s machine striking the tail of Williams’. John had to bale out but did so too low for his parachute to open. He was still alive after hitting the ground so a priest was able to administer the last rites before John died in his arms. His Spitfire crashed close to him, landing on a flintstone wall that bordered Jubilee Field and St Mary’s Convent in Portslade Brighton. When his body was examined, John was found to have been wounded in his left arm and leg. Bill Williams, it later transpired, had been shot through the head so was already dead when their machines collided. Censorship meant John’s death was noted in the vaguest of terms in the next days Brighton Evening Argus. It simply said, ‘Our losses yesterday were five aircraft but the pilots of two are safe’.

Hastings was attacked twice, at 0644 hrs when 14 HE bombs fell in the residential area demolishing four houses, and at 1215 hrs when further civil damage was done. Brighton, Eastbourne and Bexhill were also attacked, but only superficial damage resulted. At 1555hrs in Park Avenue (off Kings Drive) and the junction of Decoy Drive Eastbourne, St Mary's in the Park Church was destroyed by 3 HE bombs, there was 1 casualty

At 0835 hrs 20+ aircraft flew from Boulogne North-West over Dover and split near Shoeburyness. One section went towards London and the remainder, after approaching London, flew South East from Hornchurch and out over Kent. At 0952 hrs a raid of 20+ crossed the coast at Lympne and another of 12+ crossed at Dover. Both flew over Kent and went out over Dover. These were followed at 1017 hrs by two raids totalling 26+ aircraft which flew over Kent, one leaving at Dover and the other over North Foreland. Between 1203 and 1230 hrs 100+ enemy aircraft penetrated slightly inland at Lulworth. 9 Squadrons were detailed to counter this attack. At 1510 hrs the first wave of the fourth attack consisting of 65+ aircraft, crossed the coast into Kent. A single aircraft from this wave flew to South London. The second wave of over 80 came inland over Deal and Dover at 1525 hrs and does not appear to have penetrated far inland. No 12 Group despatched three Squadrons to assist in meeting this attack.

About 1915 hrs, the first enemy aircraft was plotted from the Dutch Islands, being augmented shortly afterwards by others from the Dieppe and Le Havre areas. All raids were apparently en route to London. Plots were also shown in the Liverpool area about this time, the aircraft having been tracked from off Caernarvon Coast, while later, other aircraft were plotted in the South Wales area. Mine laying took place between Flamborough Head and Newcastle. Towards the end of the period, raids also appeared from Cherbourg towards Portsmouth and London. There was no diminution in the scale of attacks on London, and the area covered extended in the form of isolated raids to Birmingham, Gloucester, Shrewsbury, East Anglia and South Wales. Raids entering from the Dutch Islands appeared to make a sweep of the Debden and Duxford area before turning South West to London. Mine laying extended to Harwich Primrose Telephone Exchange, St John's Wood, was hit by HE bombs and a fire broke out. The effect on working is not yet ascertainable. HE bombs were dropped at South Mimms at 0130 hours and caused damage to a 33000 volts transmission line.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 4

RAF

56 Sqn Hurricane P3421 J.Hlavac (Czech) died after being shot down by a Bf 109 over Wareham at 1220hrs.

92 Sqn Spitfire X4038 D.G.Williams was killed when he collided with the Spitfire R6616 of J.F.Drummond (also killed) at 1815hrs, Williams's aircraft crashed East of Brighton.

92 Sqn Spitfire X4552 W.T.Ellis crash-landed after attacking a Do 17 over Tangmere at 0835. He escaped injury

238 Sqn Hurricane P3984 R.F.T.’Bob Doe baled out at 1300hrs. badly wounded in the leg and shoulder, he landed in a sewage drainage pit on Brownsea Island, Dorset. His stricken Hurricane crashed near Corfe Castle Viaduct. Bob was admitted to Poole Hospital and while he was recovering from his injuries, he was awarded the DFC "for his outstanding dash and an eagerness to engage the enemy at close quarters".

249 Sqn Hurricane V7537 E.A.Bayley was killed at 1545hrs, when his Hurricane crashed due to oxygen failure while on a routine patrol, he was 29

312 Sqn Hurricane L1547 O.Hanzlicek

Sergeant Otto Hanzlicek 787697, took off from the RAF station at Speke airport, Liverpool in Hawker Hurricane I No L1547 along with Pilot Officer Dvorak on practice enemy aircraft attacks in the Liverpool area. At 14.15 hours the engine of his aircraft caught fire and he was forced to abandon his aircraft near Oglett, but the wind blew him out over the River Mersey, and after problems with his parachute due to bailing out too low, he fell down into the River Mersey, some 300 - 400 yards from the edge of the river and was drowned. He was seen to fall into the water on the North side of the river by a farmer near Oglett, but when he arrived at the riverbank 10 minutes later there was nothing to be seen. His aircraft came down into the River off the end of runway 08 and had been seen to be emitting smoke over the river just opposite to the airfield by personnel at the station.

His body was found 5 miles to the east from Speke at Widnes on the 1st November 1940. On the 4th November 1940 the inquest into the cause of Hanzlicek's death was held at Widnes, the finding was "Death due to Asphyxia from drowning". On the morning of 5th November 1940 Hanzlicek's funeral was held at the Church in Allerton were a short service was held, and he was then buried in Liverpool West Derby Cemetery, Section RC11 grave No 392. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack and the Czech flag, on which rested the "Croix de Guerre" that Hanzlicek had been awarded in France. Hanzlicek was the first pilot to be killed from 312 (Czech) Sqn, at the age of 29. At the time of the accident he had 930 flying hours to his credit, with 7 of these on Hurricanes. This incident was the squadron's first fatality and was also the loss of the first production Hurricane.

[Coast]

11th October 1940

Mainly fair apart from showers in coastal areas. Fog developed during the night.

RAF Fighter Command

High fliers over Kent, Sussex and Weymouth. Fighters and fighter-bombers continue to use stream tactics, generally at 30,000 to 35,000 ft where they are difficult to counter. Some nine streams during day attack Kent, Sussex and Weymouth area, including Biggin Hill and Kenley.

At 0632 hrs 3 raids, two of 3+ and one of 1+ aircraft flew inland for 10 miles between Dover and

the North Foreland. At 0720 hrs 6+ enemy aircraft penetrated to Central London from Dover and left by the same route. At 1020 hrs a wave of 36+ aircraft formed over the Gris Nez area. This was followed by a second wave of 90+ at 1050 hrs, a third wave of 38+ at 1100 hrs and a fourth wave of 29+ at 1130 hrs. The first penetrated into Kent, the second flew to Dungeness and Dover, the third to Hastings, Dover and the North Foreland, and the fourth to Dover, the Thames Estuary and Whitstable. There were, in addition, several tracks of 1+ and 2+ aircraft in this area. At 1138 hrs 2 raids of 55+ crossed the Coast at Poole from Cherbourg but only penetrated a short distance inland and appeared to have been dispersed.

At 1150 hrs a raid of 50+ aircraft crossed the Coast at Hastings and split up inland. One split went to Biggin Hill, the remaining aircraft retired after flying only a few miles inland. At 1200hrs in Firle Road, The Saffrons, Lottbridge Drove and The Rodmill there were 3 deaths and 5 casualties + damage To property and to St Anne's Church caused by 8 HE bombs. At 1340 hrs a raid of 9+ went inland near Foreness and returned almost immediately to the Calais area. Two Squadrons were up from Biggin Hill to meet this raid. At 1420 hrs raids started to form in Northern France and at 1430 hrs 60+ were plotted in the Calais/Cap Gris Nez area and crossed the Coast between Deal and Dungeness. Flying Northwest towards London. Only one raid flew further West than a line from Hornchurch to Biggin Hill, and penetrated about 5 miles westward of this line. 12+ of these aircraft were plotted up the Thames Estuary and one of them, a four-engined Dornier, flew from Clacton to near North Weald and then South-east over the Estuary and out by Dover. No 11 Group detailed 13 Squadrons to meet this attack and No 12 Group patrolled from Eastchurch to Canterbury with 3 Squadrons.

At 1435 hrs 50+ enemy aircraft from Cherbourg flew North and then veered North-westwards to Portland and penetrated about 10 miles inland. No 10 Group despatched 5½ Squadrons to intercept this raid. At 1600 hrs a raid of 25+ approached Dungeness, and splitting up, went towards the Hornchurch, Biggin Hill, and Kenley areas. Night raids commenced at 1835 hrs, and between that time and 2100 hrs approximately 55 raids from Cherbourg, Le Havre, Dieppe and Belgian and Dutch Coasts crossed the Coast towards London, which was again the main objective. Other raids appeared over Liverpool during the period and attacks on this area were maintained. Enemy aircraft were also plotted over Aberdeen and the Firth of Forth. Mine laying probably took place between Flamborough Head and Berwick.

Bomb damage in a London street, 11th October 1940

There was little alteration in the scale of operations during the greater part of this period but a slackening was indicated at about 2245 hrs on the London area. Enemy aircraft continued to be plotted over Liverpool, Manchester and Bristol areas. Mine laying diminished. A moderation in the attack on London was continued during the early part of this period and was confined to isolated raids operating from the Baie De La Seine. There was continued operation towards Liverpool up to 2330 hrs, after which time the Country was clear except in the London area and its approaches from the South-west. Activity slightly increased later in this area.

On the night of Friday, 11th October 1940, a ‘stick’ of five 500-pound bombs straddled the club grounds. The first bomb demolished the Wimbledon Tennis club tool house. The second bomb of the ‘stick’ fell on the roof of Wimbledon Centre Court. The third bomb fell in Church Road at the club northeast entrance and the last two produced two bunkers in the Wimbledon Park Golf Club. The damage to the Centre Court means a loss of 1,200 seats.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 4

RAF

41 Sqn, Spitfire X4042, D.H. O'Neill killed, mid-air collision during battle climb to engage Bf109s, crashed near Crooked Billet, Ash, pilot bailed out but parachute failed at 1624 hrs and Spitfire P9447, J.G.Lecky killed, shot down in combat with Bf109s, crashed at Preston Hall, Maidstone, pilot bailed out but presumed parachute failed at1630 hrs.

421 Flight Spitfire P7303, Sgt C.A.H. Ayling killed, crashed near Newchurch during combat with enemy aircraft over Hawkinge at 1600 hrs.

611 Sqn Spitfire P7323, K.C. Pattison killed, became lost on return from sortie, crashed at Crooksey Green, near Kidderminster 1945 hrs, critically injured and admitted to Barnsley Hall Hospital, but died 13th October 1940.

Daily Keynote from the Reich Press Chief:

The Minister has once again specified the wishes of the Luftwaffe staff leaders that we issue formal denials in all cases where the English claim to have hit military targets, unless the English have hit the corresponding mock installations the Luftwaffe has repeatedly raised objections to the use of expressions like "air pirates" or "night pirates," but on the other hand the Reich Chancellery desires that these expressions be used: Therefore the Wehrmacht High Command [the OKW] should take up the matter with the Fuhrer.

[Coast]

12th October 1940

Widespread mist and fog during the day that cleared later.

RAF Fighter Command

At 0900 hrs, 20+ aircraft crossed the Coast at Dungeness and were followed at 0913 hrs by 9+, which entered at Lympne. These two raids flew as far as Biggin Hill. At 0955 and 1000 hrs, two raids totalling 80+ crossed the Coast At Dungeness and at 0958 hrs another raid of 20+ crossed the Coast at Lympne. These raids flew into Kent and some penetrated to Central London. At 1055 hrs, 64+ aircraft from Cap Gris Nez passed over Lympne to London-Biggin Hill-Hornchurch areas. 18 of these reached Central London. At 1204 hrs, 80+ aircraft crossed the Coast at Hastings and flew towards London, some aircraft entering the Inner Artillery Zone. At 1255 hour, a raid of 30+ split over Deal and 20+ of them penetrated as far as Hatfield via Kenley and Biggin Hill, returning on a reciprocal course. At 1400 hrs, some 100 raiders penetrated to South London from the Kent Coast. At 1615 hrs, 150 aircraft entered near Dover. Of these, 50 flew North to the Isle of Sheppey whence they turned up the Estuary to Gravesend and went out Eastwards. The remainder flew to Biggin Hill and to the Southeast of the IAZ, but quickly withdrew and were flying towards the Coast by 1630 hrs.

At 1640 hrs, a second wave of 50 passed near Biggin Hill to South London where they turned south and left via Beachy Head at 1655 hrs. During this attack, small raids, totalling about 100 aircraft, were active over Southeast Kent between Dover and Dungeness. These small raids persisted until 1715 hrs. At 1840 hrs, several raids were plotted leaving the Dutch Islands, and shortly afterwards, the leading aircraft from the Dieppe area left the French Coast. No raids came from Cherbourg to the London area during this period. At about 2030 hrs, a strong force (15 tracks) of raiders appeared from Cherbourg, flying north. They continued on this course until South of Bristol when they fanned out north and northeast. The tracks finally led to the Birmingham - Coventry area that appeared to suffer a severe attack.

Enemy activity continued to be intense against the two objectives of London and the Midlands, the influx to London from the Dutch Islands being rather greater than that from Le Havre/Dieppe. Activity in the Midlands continued in force but showed signs of diminishing over London at about 2130 hrs. Slight activity was also apparent in East Anglia. By 2245 hrs, there were no enemy aircraft either approaching or in the London area, while activity over the Midlands had almost ceased By 2300 hrs, the Country with the exception of the London area where activity was very slight, was clear of enemy aircraft. The London activity, however, did not cease but was maintained by small numbers of aircraft throughout the period. In the areas from Portland to the Needles, and Selsey Bill to Coquet Island, and from North Foreland to Southwold, mine laying was reported.

Losses

Luftwaffe – 6

RAF

72 Sqn Spitfire P9338 H.R.Case killed, he crashed near Folkestone at 0920hrs, the cause was unknown.

92 Sqn Spitfire X4591 A.J.S.Pattinson was killed when he was shot down by a Bf 109 over Hawkinge at 1640hrs

145 Sqn Hurricane P3896 P.Thorpe was injured when he baled out over Coghurst at 1020hrs after combat with a Bf 109 near Hastings, Hurricane V7251 P.W.Rabone shot down a Bf 109 but was uninjured when he force landed due to battle damage from the Bf 109's and Hurricane V7426 and J.V.Wadham was killed by a bullet to the head at 1030hrs by a Bf 109 in hisHurricane, aged 21.

219 Sqn Blenheim L1113 R.V.Baron was killed when he baled out after engine problems and his parachute failed to open. His crewmember, G.M.Mean was luckier and survived.

249 Sqn Hurricane V7313 G.Perrin a Free Frenchman was wounded as he baled out near Ewhurst, Sussex after combat with a Bf 109 at 0950hrs.

257 Sqn Hurricane V7298 C.F.A.Capon was wounded as he baled out of after combat with a Bf 109 over Dungeness at 1700hrs.

421 Flight Spitfire P7441 C.P.Green was wounded on as he baled out of his after being attacked by a Bf 109 over Kent at 20,000 ft.

605 Sqn Hurricane P3022 P.R.C.McIntosh was flying in the Romney Marsh area when he engaged a large number of Bf 109's at 1230hrs. He was shot down and killed, aged 20. His Hurricane was found near Littlestone Golf Course.

'Seelöwe' (Operation Sealion) is postponed by Hitler indefinitely, after the Luftwaffe's continual failure to win the Battle of Britain. His priorities were now elsewhere and Goring had been unable to achieve the vital air superiority. The operation never received the go-ahead although it was envisaged that it would just be delayed until the spring of 1941