Weather: fine

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

  • Blenheim – 49
  • Spitfire – 214
  • Hurricane – 422
  • Defiant – 25
  • Gladiator – 9
  • Total – 719

A mass of Me109s were lying in wait over the Channel. Part of the force headed towards North Weald, Eastchurch and Lympne. No fewer than 14 RAF squadrons were involved in intercepting these attacks and heading them off. Later in the afternoon a very large attack was lined up over France heading towards Britain. Once over Britain, the attack broke up into separate onslaughts attacking Biggin Hill, Detling and oil storage facilities in the Thames estuary. Meanwhile, a large number of Me109 fighters were cruising around over the Channel positioning themselves to escort the bomber force home. The score during the day was ominously close, the RAF losing 20 aircraft against 23 for their adversary.

That night London was bombed.

266 Squadron Operational Record Book – 5 September
Very warm, bright sunshine all day. Visibility excellent. Practices included sector reconnaissance – Squadron formation flying – interception practice. 5 Spitfire II aircraft delivered by Ferry pilots.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 5th September 1940):

*  Enemy: 37 confirmed, 22 probable, 18 damaged
*  Own: 23 aircraft with 11 pilots killed or missing.

Todays’s theme: The Planes – Heinkel 111