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Weather: fair everywhere.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 63
- Spitfire – 239
- Hurricane – 348
- Defiant – 25
- Total – 675
Scattered raiders flew over the south coast. Then, late in the afternoon 15 Me109s approached Dover. Several squadrons intercepted and a considerable fight followed. The RAF flew 395 sorties and 11 Group shot down 5 German aircraft for a loss of 3 RAF fighters.
Thus, ended July. The Luftwaffe in the month had sunk 18 coastal vessels and also sunk 4 destroyers. They had destroyed 77 RAF planes for the loss of 216 German aircraft.
74 Squadron Operational Record Book, 31 July
Total casualties to date (enemy) 30 confirmed, 19 unconfirmed. Our casualties – 7 pilots missing – 2 known to be POWs in Germany, 1 Sgt pilot in military hospital, Dover, slightly wounded.
Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary):
- Enemy: Fighters – 1 confirmed; Bombers – 2 unconfirmed.
- Own: 2 Spitfires (both 74 Squadron)
Today’s theme: Top Gun Gallery – ‘Sailor’ Malan
For further background see the RAF Campaign Dairy 31st July 1940
Heinkel 59 Floatplane, copyright RAF Museum Hendon
The German Red Cross seaplanes were, unfortunately, to become an issue with the RAF. They bore civilian markings with a big red cross painted on the side of the fuselage. The trouble was that these aircraft, usually Heinkel 59s, carried an air gunner. The suspicion was that RAF fighters who took these seaplanes, as bent on a mercy mission, could fall into the trap of being shot down by the air gunner. It was also thought likely that these sea planes could be shadowing the British convoys and feeding back information about their location, thus putting them at an increased risk.
The powers that be, in the Air Ministry, were getting worried about these sea planes. Eventually, the decision was taken that they should be attacked, particularly if at the time it looked as though they were shadowing the convoys. It was to be a contentious matter. Some of our pilots did subsequently shoot down these seaplanes. Others did not. Goebbels the German Propaganda Minister complained of RAF barbarism. On 14th July, Fighter Command issued a statement to pilots saying that these so-called rescue planes could not be guaranteed immunity unless it was clear that they were engaged in rescue efforts. On 29th July, the Air Ministry issued a statement to the same effect.
Weather: unsettled with poor visibility.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 74
- Spitfire – 232
- Hurricane – 333
- Defiant – 23
- Gladiator – 8 (1 Flight only)
- Total – 662
Fighter Command flew 688 sorties and succeeded in shooting down 2 German aircraft with no loss to themselves. Barry docks were attacked that night.
266 Squadron Operational Record Book, 30 July
Average temperature, sky overcast, visibility poor. Flying 3 hours. B Flight at readiness, Ac Flight available. Practices included Air Fighting tactics and sector reconnaissance. Raid investigation by one aircraft of Ac Flight.
Weather: fair.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 66
- Spitfire – 241
- Hurricane – 328
- Defiant – 20
- Total – 639
The Air Ministry issued a statement saying that German Red Cross sea planes would not be granted immunity unless they were clearly engaged in rescuing downed pilots. Meanwhile, a raid of 48 Stukas and 80 covering Me109s approached Dover. They were intercepted by 41 and 501 Squadrons. A second raid occurred in the afternoon which was similar in character. Altogether, in the fighting that day, the Luftwaffe lost 6 aircraft and Fighter Command lost 3. 758 sorties were flown by the RAF.
17 Squadron Operational Record Book, 29 July, Debden
Convoy protection patrols were maintained throughout the day, and while on patrol at 15:10 hours Blue Section was ordered to intercept raid. A He111 was sighted at 14,000 feet below cloud and the Section gave chase in line a stern. Flt Lt Bayne, the Blue Leader, delivered a frontal attack out of the sun, followed by a no. 1 attack, firing all his ammunition. The enemy aircraft dropped its undercarriage and jettisoned its bombs, pieces being seen to fall away from it and smoke pouring from both engines. FO Bird-Wilson (Blue 2) and PO Wissler (Blue 3) followed the Blue Leader with frontal and no. 1 attacks, Blue 3 experiencing some fire from the rear gunner but sustaining no hits. After further attack the enemy aircraft crashed into the sea and 3 of the crew were seen to climb into a rubber boat.
Today’s theme: Unsung Heroes – The Royal Observer Corps
Weather: fair but cloudy in the evening.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 66
- Spitfire – 245
- Hurricane – 328
- Defiant – 26
- Total – 665
In the morning, a number of bombers attacked targets in Cornwall, Cardiff and Newport. At midday, a substantial Luftwaffe formation approached Dover but turned back without dropping any bombs and then dispersed. In the early afternoon, a large force of bombers accompanied by Me109s, around fifty of each, approached Dover. 74, 41, 11 and 257 Squadrons engaged them. Fighter Command that day flew 758 sorties with a loss of 2 Spitfires and 3 Me109s were shot down.
266 Squadron Operational Record Book, 28 July
Warm, visibility very good. Flying 18 hours 10 minutes. B Flight at readiness. Ac Flight available. Practices included tactical exercise in conjunction with aircraft of no. 23 (Blenheim) Squadron and aircraft of no. 229 (Hurricane) Squadron. Night flying tests and patrol.
Today’s theme: Captains and Commanders – Albert Kesselring
Weather mixed: cloudy with some rain.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 63
- Spitfire – 242
- Hurricane – 331
- Defiant – 24
- Gladiator – 8 (1 Flight only)
- Total – 668
German operations that day started with an attack on convoys off Portland and Swanage. A little later that day two convoys off Harwich were attacked. In the course of this confrontation 2 Royal Navy destroyers were sunk, one of which was HMS Wren. Dover harbour also came under attack and yet another RN destroyer, HMS Codrington, was damaged and destroyed. In response, the Admiralty decided to close Dover as an advance base for destroyers. The RAF was consequently left to assume major responsibility for the defence of the Channel. That day the RAF flew 496 sorties, lost 1 aircraft, but destroyed 4 enemy planes.
266 Squadron Operational Record Book, 27 July
Average temperature, heavy rain showers during the day. Visibility poor, improving to good early evening. Flying 19 hours. Ac Flight at readiness, B Flight available. Practices included cine camera gun, interception with aircraft of no. 23 (Blenheim) Squadron and no. 229 (Hurricane) Squadron, Night Flying Patrol. 2 raid investigations carried out during day. PO H.M.T. Heron attached to St Athan for Fighter 3 weeks Navigation Instructors Course.
Today’s theme: The Airfields They Flew From – Manston
Weather: heavy cloud and poor visibility.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 61
- Spitfire – 242
- Hurricane – 318
- Defiant – 26
- Gladiator – 8 (1 Flight only)
- Total – 655
Shipping near the Isle of Wight was attacked. The German aircraft were, however, intercepted by 601 Squadron fighters, with a later raid being met by 238 Squadron. 1 of the German aircraft was shot down with the loss of 2 RAF fighters. However, a further 2 German aircraft were lost later on that day. 581 sorties were flown. In widespread sporadic raids on Hastings, Essex, Monmouth and Gloucestershire minor damage was caused.
On this day, the Admiralty stopped further daylight shipping from passing through the Straits of Dover.
PO DH Wissler – Diary, 26 July
P/O Pittman and I went to Lord and Lady Fitzgerald’s for the day and night, we had a very quiet time, but it was a rest although very much without action. We had a fine night and a late breakfast.
(Reproduced with kind permission of the Imperial War Museum and Copyright holder)
Today’s theme: The Squadrons – 19 Squadron
Weather: fine day.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 56
- Spitfire – 234
- Hurricane – 316
- Defiant – 25
- Gladiator – 8 (1 Flight only)
- Total – 639
This was a very active day. The RAF flew 641 sorties. In a number of sporadic attacks along the south coast 16 aircraft were shot down with a loss of seven RAF fighters. However, the enemy succeeded in sinking 5 ships and damaging five more. The aerial attacks were coordinated with aggression by 9 E Boats who were fought off by 2 destroyers – one of which had to be towed into Dover following an attack by a Ju88 bomber.
PO DH Wissler – Diary, 25 July
I went over to Martlesham to relieve one of the pilots and then did two patrols of 1.40 and 1.50 hours. The pilots in blue section did 6 hours while we in green did 4 ½ all told. God were we tired this evening. I was so sore around the back and backside. I hear that I and P/O Pittman are doing the big social act tomorrow.
(Reproduced with kind permission of the Imperial War Museum and Copyright holder)
54 Squadron Operational Record Book, 25 July, Hornchurch
14:30 hours
Black Thursday. The squadron on 2 occasions bore the brunt of heavy enemy attacks on convoys between Deal and Dover. The loss of Flt Lt Way (missing) in this action was a great tragedy. That he accounted for an enemy aircraft before meeting his unknown fate is typical of his keenness and great courage in the face of odds large or small.
74 Squadron Operational Record Book, 25 July
Red Leader investigated a group of aircraft flying towards Calais and Red Leader, Flt Lt Malan, identified them as Me109s; attacked one at 150 yds and saw ammunition entering fuselage. Squadron returned to base without loss.
Today’s theme: The Planes They Flew – The Hurricane
Weather: cloudy with rain over much of the Channel.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 56
- Spitfire – 238
- Hurricane – 294
- Defiant – 15
- Total – 603
In sustained fighting over two convoys, one over the Thames Estuary and the other off Dover, the RAF lost 2 aircraft whilst the Luftwaffe lost 5 aircraft. 561 sorties were flown. The day also saw Luftwaffe attacks on industrial targets in the Glasgow area.
54 Squadron Operational Record Book, 24 July, Rochford
08:12 hours
The biggest and most successful day since Dunkirk. 2 early patrols were followed by a third in which B Flight distinguished themselves. 12 Do 215s in two waves of 6 attempted to bomb a convoy off Dover. The first 6 reached, but missed their target. A determined attack by Green section under PO Gribble forced the e/a to jettison their bombs before reaching the target and to scurry home… This is the first instance in which coils of trailing wire (probably 50 ft in length) have been thrown out by enemy bombers as our planes pursued them.
11.25 hours
For over an hour the whole Squadron took part in the “Battle of the Thames Estuary”. 18 Do 215s escorted by at least 2 squadrons of Me109s and an unknown number of He113s attacked a convoy in the estuary. In this, their biggest fight since the 2nd day of Dunkirk and in the face of these considerable odds, the casualties inflicted on the enemy by the squadron (including 3 new pilots) can be considered eminently satisfactory and most encouraging:
2 destroyed confirmed (PO Gray and Sgt Collett)
4 destroyed unconfirmed (Flt Lt Deere, FO McMullen, PO Coleman, PO Turley-George)
8 probably destroyed (FO McMullen, Flt Lt Way (2), PO Gray, PO Gribble (2), FS Tew, PO Turley-George)
2 damaged (PO Coleman and PO Matthews)
Today’s theme: Top Gun Gallery – Bob Doe
For the RAF, fighting the Kanalkampf wasn’t what Fighter Command had really prepared for. The expectation had been that the enemy would be flying over the coast and trying to penetrate the mainland. The radar had been deployed so that enemy aircraft could be intercepted as they crossed the coast. The same applied to the Observer Corps, who were to detect their passage over land. But in this first phase of the Battle, enemy aircraft were being intercepted over the sea so that the convoys of coastal ships could be defended. The RAF hadn’t invested in Air Sea Rescue Services, but the Germans had. This meant that when one of our pilots got shot up by an enemy fighter and had to bail out he was at serious risk of falling into the sea and drowning. Whereas, a German pilot in the same predicament would have been provided with, for example, a solid block of dye which, when chucked into the sea, would spread a large stain of vivid colour visible for miles, enabling the downed pilot to be found.
Secondly the pilot stood a good chance of being picked up by German sea planes, usually He59s which were deployed for the task. British pilots just had to rely on luck that they would be seen by a fishing vessel or a coast guard cutter if they were to be saved from drowning. Losing pilots who would have survived being shot down over land, but because they fell into the sea risked drowning, was a serious concern to Keith Park AOC of 11 Group. Eventually, in late July, he managed to obtain the use of a dozen Lysanders, a light aircraft used in army cooperation, to help rescue pilots in the war. But, it was not until the following year that a committee was set up in the Air Ministry to deal with the issue of air sea rescue; too late for the Battle which was now over.
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