Daily Archive

Weather: variable

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 51
• Spitfire – 212
• Hurricane – 362
• Defiant – 25
• Gladiator – 5
• Total – 655

This was to be a busy day. Several large attacks were mounted by the Luftwaffe. Only fighters were involved. Over Kent, they were intercepted with major battles following. In the afternoon further attacks were mounted and duly intercepted not only by 11 Group squadrons but also by the Duxford wing. The wing, led by Squadron Leader Bader achieved considerable success though not as great as that claimed. The score that day was 15 enemy destroyed at a cost of 12 RAF fighters. The RAF had flown 1165 sorties that day.

That night London was again the main target of the Luftwaffe bombing effort. County Hall, Westminster was hit. Bomber Command launched several attacks on French ports aiming at the barges.

73 Squadron Unofficial Diary – 18 September
At 4pm the “Scramble” and patrol Colchester, angels 15, given. Led by P/O Scott the Squadron began a game of hunt the slipper. “Patrolling J for Johnny” reported Scotty, “Orbit” replied Ops, then “Patrol Chelmsford”, “Patrolling Chelmsford” reported Scotty a few minutes later. “Orbit” said Ops. So we orbited and peace reigned for a few minutes, then “Vector 180° for two minutes, four bandits closing coast”. So off we went, and sure enough there was something about 10,000 feet above us. “Can you see the bandits?”, Sergt Garton replied, “yes I can see them, but God knows how we’re going to get up to the b******s”. This seemed to shake Ops for a bit, for we were told to patrol Colchester again. Arriving there we received the order to “Pancake”. So off we started for home and tea, when suddenly “Patrol K for King below cloud base”. This was done, and then we were ordered back to Colchester, angels 10. After an hour and 40 minutes, the Ops graciously allowed us to return and refuel. Sergt Perkin went a drift, but landed at North Weald, and came on here later.

303 Squadron Operational Record Book – 18 September
Visit from General Sikorski.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 18th September 1940):

*  Enemy: 33 confirmed, 16 probable, 19 damaged
*  Own: Twelve aircraft of which nine pilots are safe.

Today’s theme: Top Gun Gallery – Stanislaw Skalski