Weather: foggy in the south with bright intervals.

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

  • Blenheim – 61
  • Spitfire – 244
  • Hurricane – 365
  • Defiant – 24
  • Total – 694

Sporadic German attacks occurred along the south coast and there were also a few minor bombing raids in the west. The Luftwaffe also dropped more propaganda leaflets. 415 sorties were flown with 4 German planes being shot down at no cost to 11 Group.

266 Squadron Operational Record Book, 3 August
Warm, cloudless, visibility excellent. “B” Flight at readiness. “A” Flight available. Practices included Fighter attacks – Formation Flying – Target practice and sector reconnaissance. Raid investigation by 2 aircraft of “B” Flight. Flt Lt D.W. Balden and Sgt Pilot H.W. Ayre ceased to be attached to no. 418 Flight for temporary duty and posted to no. 261 Flight. PO D.L. Armitage appointed to acting rank of Flt Lt (unpaid) and takes over duties of Flight Commander of “A” Flight.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 3rd August 1940):

* Enemy: Nil.
* Own: Nil.

Today’s theme: The Airfields – RAF Debden