Weather: showery

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

  • Blenheim – 55
  • Spitfire – 220
  • Hurricane – 392
  • Defiant – 22
  • Gladiator – 8
  • Total – 697

As well as the continuing attack on London, the enemy also launched a good number of attacks by pockets of bombers accompanied by the usual fighters on airfields of 11 Group. In combat that day the RAF lost 21 and managed to shoot down 28 of the enemy aircraft.

The day’s fighting was followed by a night attack on London by bombers resulting in over 350 people being killed. Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham and Derby were also bombed that night.

242 Squadron Operational Record Book – 9 September
Sqdn Ldr Bader leading wing consisting of 242, 310 and 19 Squadrons patrolling over London encountered large formation of e/a. bombers and fighters. 242 Squadron led the attack and shot down 10 aircraft. No. 310 (Czech) Squadron shot down 7, and no. 19 Squadron 2. One pilot of 242 killed (PO Sclanders). 1 pilot (Sgt Lonsdale) baled out and returned to Squadron next day unhurt. Congratulations received from Air Officer Command and Chief of the Air Staff.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 9 September 1940):

*  Enemy: 52 confirmed, 11 probable, 13 damaged
*  Own: 20 aircraft with 5 pilots killed or missing.

Todays’s theme: Unsung Heroes – the Civilian Repair Units