Weather: fine
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 50
- Spitfire – 197
- Hurricane – 381
- Defiant – 23
- Gladiator – 8
- Total – 697
There was little activity this day. During the day Detling and West Malling were hit and in London an air raid shelter at Colombia Market was hit.
In Germany Goering took over personal command of the air battle against Britain. As for the RAF, the system of rotating squadrons after they had been in action was being accelerated. Dowding had started a new system by which squadrons were being divided into three categories, those seriously fit for operations, those that needed careful handling and those that required to be taken out of combat altogether. The latter group was being stripped of its successful pilots who were transferred to the first group.
The RAF flew 305 sorties and shot down 7 enemy aircraft, at a cost of 4 aircraft lost.
That night London was attacked again, in particular the docks. This time by over 200 bombers. The casualties this second night were 400 dead.
73 Squadron Unofficial War Diary – 8 September
A large “flap” has developed! “No. One Alert” is declared. After much seeking after knowledge we found that the aforesaid means that the great invasion is probably imminent. Everyone is confined to camp and armed to the teeth.
Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 8th September 1940):
* Enemy: 7 confirmed, 3 probable, 8 damaged
* Own: 4 aircraft with 2 pilots killed or missing.
Todays’s theme: Captains & Commanders – Adolf Hitler
2 comments
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September 14, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Martin James
This was not the first time (or the last) that West Malling was bombed, but it was not actually operational as a Fighter Command airfield during the BoB, which may explain why the comment ‘ no information available’ appears against West Malling on the BoB map of airfields. While in the geographical area of Group 11, the BoB was over when 29 Squadron,then flying Bristol Beaufighters, was posted there on 28 April 1941. I know this because I have a booklet belonging to my late Father that was published by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council in 1989 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary (1939-89) of RAF West Malling.
I quote from the booklet: “No call was made upon West Malling, despite the present day myth that it was a BoB airfield.’ and ‘…between these dates (10 July-31 October 1940) no Hurricanes or Spitfires flew from the field, although some used it as an emergency landing field.’
May I also add that my Father joined 29 Squadron at Digby on 20 October 1940 as observer/navigator in the Bristol Blenheim night fighters that 29 was then flying. He is therefore one of the relatively few non pilots to be awarded the BoB Medal. And while the description of the Blenheim in a later ‘post’, and the accompanying comments, are not terribly complimentary about this aircraft, I understand from my Father that it did perform a valuable service in being one of the first aircraft to be equipped with radar. I do feel that the well deserved adulation of the BoB fighter pilots tends to overshadow the just as valuable parts played by other aircrew.
May I further add, just for interest as a proud son, that when F/Lt Guy Gibson joined 29 Squadron he chose my Father as his navigator, and he retained that position when 29 moved to West Malling in 1941, by which time he had been promoted to Sergeant. Guy Gibson left 29 at the end of 1941.
September 15, 2010 at 10:57 am
Tony Rudd
As a former navigator, though in very much more humble circumstances, I thoroughly approve of your important statement that other members of aircrew, particularly navigators, are due their just recognition. Many thanks for your comment. Best wishes, Tony Rudd