Weather: fine
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 50
- Spitfire – 218
- Hurricane – 407
- Defiant – 21
- Gladiator – 8
- Total – 704
The first attack was on Eastchurch producing 6 craters on the runway but causing no casualties. In the early afternoon, a massive attack, several hundred aircraft strong, crossed the south coast. They were met by 14 RAF squadrons and a large scale aerial combat ensued. However, 20 enemy aircraft managed to leave the fight and made their way up the railway line to Brooklands where Wellingtons were produced. The Me110s attacked from a very low level. Their bombing was extremely accurate. Much damage was done and there were heavy casualties, 88 people were killed. Other pockets of enemy aircraft attacked Eastchurch, Rochester, Shoeburyness, Canterbury, Faversham and Reigate. The target at Rochester was the Short Brothers’ factory.
Fighter Command flew 678 sorties losing 17 aircraft but destroying 25 of the enemy.
73 Squadron Operational Record Book – 4 September – Church Fenton
Poles arrived at 14.30hrs and seem a very good crowd, their manners being apparently unimpeachable – an individual bow on entering the mess and salutes at every turn.
Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 4th September 1940):
* Enemy: 52 confirmed, 19 probable, 22 damaged
* Own: 17 aircraft with 6 pilots killed or missing.
Todays’s theme: Top Gun Gallery – Max Aitken
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September 4, 2010 at 8:44 am
Heather
Better keep our heads down, then. I live within spitting distance of Rochester…
September 4, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Paul Seward
Respect for this brave man indicates that we should spell his name correctly?
Sir Max Aitken, 2nd Baronet
Sir John William Maxwell “Max” Aitken, 2nd Baronet, DSO, DFC (15 February 1910 – 30 April 1985), formerly 2nd Baron Beaverbrook, was a British Conservative politician and press baron, the son of Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook.
September 4, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Tony Rudd
Apologies, slip of the mouse, though we spelled it correctly on his profile page I hope.
September 4, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Mark
On this Day – Sergeant J W ‘ Jack’ RAMSHAW
Sat Sep 4, 2010
Jack RAMSHAW from Beverley Yorkshire was educated at Beverley Grammar School, where with Sgt PIDD, his name is on one of the first of the Society Memorial Plaques presented.
He is buried in the Cemetery next to his school, in a family grave.
With 222 Squadron at Hornchurch he was shot down on Sept 4th in his Spitfire K9962 in combat with Bf 109s and crashed near Yalding, he was dead on arrival at West Kent Hospital
September 4, 2010 at 9:59 pm
Mark
On this Day – 46 Squadron
Sat Sep 4, 2010
4.9.40 09.00 The Squadron patrolled ROCHFORD at 20,000 ft., but no enemy aircraft were seen.
12.45 A second patrol was carried out over ROCHFORD and “A” Flight was attacked from astern by ME 109s which then escaped in the clouds.
F/O PLUMMER and P/O AMBROSE bailed out in the vicinity of SOUTHEND, the former was detained in hospital at ROCHFORD, the latter returned to his unit.
P/O BARBER force landed at MALDON and sustained fractures of the neck and lower jaw bone.
Richard Pryor PLUMMER was born 1912 at Haywards Heath and joined 46 in 1938 so was one of the experienced pilots when the war started and took park in their first engagement over Spurn Head [ Humber Mouth ]
FIRST ENGAGEMENT WITH THE ENEMY
21/10/39 The Squadron was ordered to NORTH COATES FITTES, and at about 1415 hours “A” Flight was ordered on patrol. This flight consisted of the following pilots:-
Yellow Section (1) P/O R.M.J. COWLES
(2) P/O R.P. PLUMMER
(3) P/O P.W. LEFEVRE
The flight was controlled by radio telephony from the operations room at DIGBY, assisted by an R/T tender situated at NORTH COATES. After various patrolling positions had been given, the Flight was in position over SPURN HEAD at 5000 feet at about 1450 hours. At about 1455 hours an order was received, “Twelve enemy float planes approaching convoy from the SOUTH EAST at 1000 feet. Intercept.” The convoy at this time was about 5 miles EAST of SPURN HEAD and it was in sight.
After the main attack, the enemy formation broke up and just after seeing his target crash onto the water, the SQUADRON LEADER noticed one of the enemy aircraft diving in a southerly direction. He followed it and fired the remainder of his ammunition, which was about one-third of his full amount, from a range of about 300 yards. The aircraft continued to fly and it was then attacked by three other Hurricanes, piloted by PILOT OFFICER R.M.J. COWLES, FLIGHT SERGEANT E. SHACKLEY, PILOT OFFICER R.P. PLUMMER.
The SQUADRON LEADER watched them attack and it appeared that they were firing from rather long range, so he called up on the R/T and told the last aircraft that he saw attacking to get closer. This he did, and after a repeated attack he saw the enemy aircraft crash and turn upside down in the water. This was PILOT OFFICER R.P. PLUMMER.
He was with them in Norway in May – June 40 but does not appear in any ORs but this record was found
National Archives report
Dates 29 May 1940
Flight B
Type of Enemy He.111
Time 2030 app
Place 5 m south of Andebes Pt
Height of enemy 12,000 app
Enemy Casualties I a/c 3 prisoners
General
This aircraft was intercepted by F/O Lydall in company with Sgt Andrew.
F/O Lydall successfully brought down his target and then brokeaway with Sgt Andrew after 2 Me.110′s which had apparantly been escorting the bombers.
Sgt Andrew brought down his machine but FO Lydall did not return. He was last seen chasing the enemy aircraft and was later reported to be down.
signed R P PLUMMER
After the action on September 4th FO PLUMMER baled out with severe burns and was admitted to Southend Hospital but when it was bombed he was transferred to St Lukes Bradford, Yorkshire, where he died Sept 14th and was buried at Western Road Cemetery Haywards Heath.
His name is on the BOBHS Plaque I presented at Cranleigh School.
PO Charles F AMBROSE survived the war and retired as GC, made CBE and died 1986
PO Robert Hugh BARBER was also admitted to hospital with serious injuries which prevented him flying again. He served until 1947 and retired to New Zealand.
As a pupil at Oakham School we are hoping to present them with a Memorial Plaque this year.
September 9, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Tony Rudd
Thank you for your marvellous and detailed contribution.
June 30, 2011 at 8:37 pm
Daniel KIngton
Hi
The local air cadets at Haywards Heath spent last Armed Forces Day cleaning all the war graves at Western Road CWGC Cemetery, Haywards Heath. Many, incudng F.O Plummer’s grave lie in family plots and do not have Portland headstones. The kid’s efforts are being featured in the local press next week. Do you by any chance have a copy of a photograph of FO Plummer that could be used alongside the picture of cadets tending his grave?
Many thanks indeed for any information received.
Danny Kington
Chair, Haywards Heath Branch, The Royal British Legion.
August 10, 2011 at 2:25 pm
Tony Rudd
Sadly I’ve got nothing to offer in regard to your request. Best wishes, Tony Rudd
September 6, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Rod Sanders
Reading the figures of servicable aircraft for each day does give the impression that Fighter Command was able to match numbers with the raiding Luftwaffe. It is well to remember that 11 group had barely half of the command’s strength and could only rely on 10 Group for support, 12 Group “doing their own thing” with big wings. Yes they really were The Few.
September 9, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Tony Rudd
Many thanks for your contribution.