Category Archive

Weather: dull day with some rain.

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 58
• Spitire – 219
• Hurricane – 412
• Defiant – 26
• Gladiator – 6
• Total – 721

In the morning, a major convoy heading westwards was attacked as it passed through the Straits of Dover. At first the attack was by shells fired from France. When this proved unsuccessful, the Luftwaffe sent up aircraft to bomb the convoy. 54 and 610 Squadrons intercepted this attack which led to some fierce fighting. There were further attacks on the Scilly Isles and Manston was targeted in the early evening. Unusually, 5 RAF fighters were lost as against 2 German fighters shot down.

54 Squadron Operational Record Book – 22 August
Signs that the enemy was collecting his forces near Calais and so the squadron patrolled Manston. No results.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 22nd August 1940):

*  Enemy: 6 confirmed, 4 probable.
*  Own: 5 aircraft (2 pilots lost).

Todays’s theme: The Planes They Flew – Dornier 17

Weather: cloudy with some rain.

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 58
• Spitire – 239
• Hurricane – 400
• Defiant – 25
• Gladiator – 7
• Total – 729

The bad weather led to the Luftwaffe adopting harassing tactics using small groups or even single aircraft. Attacks took place on the Scilly Isles which were bombed and strafed by machine gun fire.

Fighter Command flew 599 sorties. However, 13 German aircraft were destroyed and only one RAF fighter shot down. 4 Blenheims on the ground were destroyed.

19 Squadron Operational Record Book – 21 August
P/Os Dolezal and Huadil, Sgts. Plzaxk and Marek of 310 Squadron attached to us to-day. All Czechs and very keen and eager to have a crack.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 21st August 1940):

*  Enemy: 13 confirmed, 2 probable, 2 damaged
*  Own: 1 Hurricane

Todays’s theme: Top Gun Gallery – Douglas Bader

Weather: cloudy with occasional showers.

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 49
• Spitfire – 219
• Hurricane – 388
• Defiant – 27
• Gladiator – 6
• Total – 689

This day saw another stock taking exercise by Goering at Karinhall. The Reichmarschall was far from satisfied with recent results from the battle. He had attributed the perceived lack of success to a failure on the part of his fighter pilots to support the bombers with sufficient vigour. He duly replaced some of his older pilots with younger aces like Galland and Molders. By this move, Goering was aiming to sharpen up the attack of his fighter groups.

Meanwhile, at Uxbridge, Keith Park and Dowding were also reviewing the recent fighting. The main thrust of the Luftwaffe had moved from the attacks on convoys to mainland targets, particularly RAF airfields. Park issued instructions to controllers to avoid vectoring squadrons over the sea. Pilots’ safety had to be considered and they were losing too many from drowning.

The afternoon saw desultory attacks by several large formations of enemy aircraft. The Command flew 383 sorties, losing 3 fighters but destroying 6 German aircraft.

At night attacks took place over the Midlands, in particular Coventry, and northern England.

266 Squadron Operational Record Book – 19 August – Hornchurch
Very warm, sky overcast – visibility moderate. Squadron at readiness at advanced base from 13.30 hours until dusk. 2 Spitfire aircraft delivered from no. 6 Maintenance Unit.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 19th August 1940):

*  Enemy: 6 confirmed, 1 probable, 1 damaged
*  Own: 3 aircraft of which two pilots are safe.

Todays’s theme: Unsung Heroes – Balloon Command

The Hardest Day

Weather: fine to begin with but cloudy later

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 50
• Spitfire – 228
• Hurricane – 396
• Defiant – 27
• Gladiator – 5
• Total – 706

Early that afternoon saw a return to heavier attacks. These were aimed at airfields south of London, Biggin Hill, Kenley and West Malling. The raid on Kenley was especially damaging. It was delivered simultaneously by enemy aircraft flying at several thousand feet with others attacking at a height of less than 100ft. A number of aircraft were destroyed on the ground. Several hangars and other buildings were also hit and there were casualties. 12 people were killed in a direct hit on a shelter. The operations room had to be relocated in a butcher’s shop nearby. The damage, though severe, was made good in a couple of days. Squadrons had to be temporarily diverted. Croydon was also bombed and further damage done. Biggin Hill was another target for the dual level attack, one from enemy aircraft flying at 5000ft and the other from Do17s flying at a 100ft. The latter ran into heavy trouble, losing over half their number. The damage was, however, considerable.

Later that afternoon there were a series of raids from aircraft of Luftflotte 3 which hit Thorney Island on the coast doing considerable damage and destroying a number of aircraft on the ground and on the airfield of Ford, also on the coast, which was heavily damaged.

The final raids of the day were on Croydon and also on Manston where 12 Me109s once more beat up the airfield destroying aircraft on the ground and causing more casualties. Fighter Command flew 760 sorties and destroyed 71 German aircraft against a loss for the RAF of 39 aircraft with 10 pilots killed.

The week had seen the virtual end of operations by Ju87 dive bombers. They were proving just too vulnerable. As for the RAF, it was becoming evident that the sighting of vital functions such as control rooms should not have been on airfields themselves. They should instead have been widely dispersed. The most dangerous attacks during the week had been those at low level. These had been almost impossible to guard against. But from the German point of view they had been hugely costly. They were to be replaced by raids at medium height of several thousand feet.

54 Squadron Operational Record Book – 18 August
A great day! In 4 sorties the squadron bore the brunt of the station’s thrust against the enemy. A 20 minute “warming up” over Manston was followed by the leisurely shooting down of a Me 110 which descended from 31,000 feet to sea level rather more rapidly than it could have originally intended.

12:40 hours – first big attack of the day. 10 destroyed, probable and damaged – no loss to squadron (plane or pilot).

16:45 hours – 2nd wave of bombers and their escorts – this time about 300 strong – came North and South of the Thames. It looked as if a pincer movement was being evolved with Hornchurch the objective! Once again the squadron dealt faithfully with the enemy – being able to include some damage of the main formation, which might have made things very unpleasant for the station:

14 destroyed, damaged and probables. No loss to squadron.
Total for day: 8 destroyed, 6 probable, 11 damaged.

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

*  Enemy: 139 confirmed, 26 probable, 45 damaged
*  Own: 22 aircraft with 12 pilots safe.

Todays’s theme: Captains and Commanders – Richard Saul

Weather: fine.

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 50
• Spitfire – 208
• Hurricane – 345
• Defiant – 28
• Gladiator – 0
• Total – 631

A much quieter day with the Luftwaffe recovering from its exertions over the previous two days. As for the RAF, these recent very active days were leading to a growing shortage of pilots. However, volunteers were successfully sought from other commands. This helped to fill some of the gaps at least.

That night Liverpool and Coventry were bombed and a number of civilians were killed.

54 Squadron Operational Record Book – 17 August
Probably the lull before the storm. No enemy activity until the late afternoon.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 17th August 1940):

*  Enemy: 2 confirmed
*  Own: nils

Todays’s theme: The Airfields – RAF Warmwell

Weather: fine with occasional mist

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 64
• Spitire – 216
• Hurricane – 345
• Defiant – 24
• Gladiator – 4
• Total – 653

German raids began mid-morning with yet another attack on West Malling which succeeded in putting the place out of action until the 20th.

At noon, 3 further raids developed comprising of over 350 aircraft. Two waves of aircraft were headed for the Thames Estuary and Dover. A third wave was coming across from Cherbourg and making its way towards Portsmouth and Southampton aiming in particular for Tangmere. Many of the bombers managed to avoid contact with the RAF fighters sent up to intercept them and pressed on to their targets. A number of London suburbs were hit. Established airfields such Harwell and Farnborough were attacked. Meanwhile, the aircraft from Cherbourg had reached the south coast and headed in separate directions towards targets such as Tangmere, Lee on Solent and Gosport. Tangmere was badly damaged and twenty people lost their lives and several aircraft on the ground were destroyed. Ventnor was once again a target, this time by 5 Ju87s which made a pinpoint bombing attack. This attack put Ventnor out of action till 23rd August.

However, numerically, the most damaging attack that afternoon was on a training command airfield, Brize Norton. Over 50 aircraft were destroyed, several hangars were completely obliterated and a number of casualties were caused. This damage was the work of 2 Ju88s.

The Luftwaffe that day put up just over 1700 sorties for the loss of 45 aircraft. The RAF lost 22 planes and a large number of aircraft destroyed on the ground which included over 10 Hurricanes. Although the Luftwaffe had hit 8 airfields, their intelligence had been inaccurate as only three of them were Fighter Command airfields.

54 Squadron Operational Record Book – 16 August
Another engagement with the enemy when a large formation of Do 215s escorted by He 113s and Me 109s was encountered very near Hornchurch. 2 Me 109s (by Colin Gray in celebration of his DFC) and 1 He 113 (FO McMullen) all destroyed and 2 bombers and a fighter damaged for no loss on our part was a most satisfactory hour’s work.

249 Squadron Operational Record Book – 16 August, Boscombe Down
A formation of Me109s were seen and Red Section, Flt Lt Nicholson, PO MA King, Sqdn Ldr King were ordered to investigate. Red Section unfortunately bought it, being heavily attacked by fighters. Flt Lt Nicholson, Red I was hit by a cannon shell and his aircraft caught fire. Flt Lt Nicholson remained in the cockpit in order to get a burst at a Messerschmitt 110 which appeared in front of him. He was then forced to abandon aircraft owing to the heat. He made a successful descent, but when about 40 feet from the ground he was fired at by a member of the LDV. He was very badly burnt and taken to Royal Southampton Hospital. PO MA King, Red 2 was attacked at the same time, and also abandoned his aircraft. His parachute had been severely damaged however by a cannon shell, and collapsed during the descent. Pilot Officer King was killed. Sqdn Ldr King’s aircraft was hit in several places but he was able to return to base.

Note – Flt Lt Nicholson was subsequently awarded the VC – the only member of Fighter Command to receive this honour.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 16th August 1940):

*  Enemy: 75 confirmed, 29 probable, 41 damaged
*  Own: 22 aircraft of which 14 pilots are safe

Todays’s theme: The Squadrons – 249 Squadron

Weather: Fine.

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 61
• Spitfire – 233
• Hurricane – 351
• Defiant – 25
• Gladiator – 2
• Total – 672

The fine weather was what Goering had been waiting for. Earlier that morning the 3 Luftflotten were busily preparing for a major coordinated attack on the RAF. The intention was to hit as many RAF airfields as possible and to bring up as many British fighters as they could which could then be shot down. For a new map of the airfields and where they were situated, see our Battle of Britain map.

The first attack came from airfields in northern France where hundreds of German aircraft were detected as they came across the Channel. They were divided very roughly between Ju87 dive bombers and protecting Me109s. They were aiming at Lympne which suffered considerable damage. The airfield was put out of action for 2 days. Hawkinge was also attacked but much less damage was done. The radar stations at Rye, Dover and Foreness were hit by the Ju87s and subsequently had to be shut down.

The next phase of the day’s battle saw a major attack by German aircraft from Luftflotte 5 from its bases in Denmark and Norway. This attack was the brainchild of German Intelligence. They were presuming that the Luftwaffe’s continued attacks on southern England would have led Dowding to concentrate all his fighter resources on protecting the area south of London. He would have drained away all fighter protection from the north of England. They therefore concluded that targets in the North would now be undefended. How wrong they were.

An attack by several groups of bombers, He111s and Ju88s, as well as some He115s duly came in from across the North Sea to the Northumberland coast whilst a second wave of bombers headed south. But they had been picked up by the local radar. They were intercepted by squadrons of Hurricanes and Spitfires. Many German bombs were dropped into the sea. Some German aircraft immediately turned for home. As these interceptions proceeded, the whole Luftflotte 5 attack proved to be a costly failure.

In the south of England, Manston suffered heavy damage that afternoon. 16 men were killed and two Spitfires were destroyed on the ground.

At 3.15 pm a force of Me109s, led by Rubensdoerffer, attacked Martlesham Heath causing fairly widespread damage and leaving the airfield out of action. Repair work continued for the next 2 days.

At the same time, two large concentrations of German aircraft were observed crossing the coast at Deal and at Folkestone, each wave consisted of over 100 aircraft. The aircraft then broke up to attack individual targets including factories in Surrey working on Short Stirling bombers near Rochester, where approximately 300 bombs were dropped. The other targets included the radar stations at Dover, Bawdsey, and Foreness.

In the early evening, there were further attacks by Luftflotte 3 flying over from Brittany. 100 aircraft attacked airfields including Middle Wallop. More action was to follow. Another 70 plus German aircraft were now proceeding from the area behind Calais. But this attack was intercepted by RAF squadrons and was broken up leaving the German aircraft to seek individual targets. Attacks were delivered on airfields at West Malling and at Croydon. The latter had been mistaken for Kenley. The attackers’ bad luck continued with Rubensdoerffer, their famous Commander, being shot down and killed. The final action of the day was when a mixed force of Me109s and Me110s, which were looking for targets amongst the suburbs south of London, were caught by two RAF squadrons when on their way home. 4 German aircraft were shot down.

After what had been a hugely busy day, the RAF announced that they had shot down 182 enemy aircraft. Subsequently, this was paired down to a more accurate figure of 75 German losses from 974 sorties flown. This compared with 30 RAF losses. The outcome for the day nevertheless represented a considerable success for the RAF, particularly their performance in the north of England.

As it was, the day put Luftflotte 5 out of the battle. It was also clear that the Me110 and the hitherto invincible Stuka dive bomber could only operate effectively given massive fighter cover.

Back in Karinhall, Goering was lecturing his commanders that day. He ordered that Stukas should be given protection by Me109 fighters in front, above, and behind the dive bombers. Goering had also come to the conclusion that the Luftwaffe’s attacks on radar installations were just not paying dividends and should be abandoned. The Reichmarschall never quite got his head round the part played by radar in the British defences.

For his part, Churchill congratulated Dowding on his “generalship” in his success in eliminating the attack by Luftflotte 5 in the north of England.

54 Squadron Operational Record Book – 15 August
4 patrols during the day resulted in 2 clashes with the enemy. By now the order “patrol behind Dover and engage enemy fighters” is becoming as familiar as the old convoy patrols.
Flt Lt Deere claiming a Me 109 destroyed (11:18 hours).

18:28 hours: Flt Lt Deere 2 He 113s. 1 probable was gained for the loss of Flt Lt Deere’s machine when he was shot down in Kent after a flight which has taken him (unwittingly) over Calais Marck! He suffered only a sprained wrist after a parachute jump at 15,000 feet.

17 Squadron Operational Record Book – 15 August
The Squadron carried out convoy patrols from 05:25 to 16:00 hours. At 15:10 hours the aerodrome was attacked by Ju87s and Me110s and was dive bombed. About 18 bombs fell on the aerodrome causing damage, but none of our personnel or aircraft suffered. Meanwhile Flt Lt Harper, Sgt Griffiths and PO Pittman had taken off to intercept and climbed to attack Me109s at 20,000 feet over aerodrome. Flt Lt Harper was seen to go down with smoke pouring from his engine, but was later reported to have force-landed near Felixstowe, wounded in the leg and face. He is in Felixstowe Hospital and claims 1 Me109 confirmed. FO Hanson and PO Pittman took off during the raid. Convoy patrols were continued until 18:10 hours.

610 Squadron Operational Record Book – 15 August, 18:43 hours
8 aircraft ordered to intercept e/a approaching Biggin Hill, about 10 miles to the SE, they met about 25 Do215s escorted by many Me109s. The bombers flying at 14,000 feet and the fighters at 16,000 feet. Flt Lt Warner attacked a Me109, gave it 3 long bursts, smoke came from the fuselage and it dived down vertically. Sgt Arnfield fired several bursts at a Me109 which began to smoke badly. PO Cox fired 3 short bursts at a Me109 which went into a vertical dive with engine on fire. Sgt Corfe fired 3 short bursts at a Me109, the tracer appeared to hit him about the rear of the fuselage and wings.
Enemy casualties: 1 Me109 destroyed, 1 Me 109 probable, 2 Me109s damaged.

73 Squadron Unofficial War Diary – 15 August 1940
Today the Squadron drew its first blood in England. “A” Flight who were at Leconfield at the time were ordered off towards Flamborough Head at 19,000 feet. The enemy were encountered and being unescorted in wide formation. “A” Flight “went to it”. P/O Carter got two Ju88s and a possible third. Others were shot down by Sgt Griffin, Sgt McNay, P/O Scott and Flt/Lt Lovett. Sqn/Ldr Robinson shot up everything within sight and it is thought he must have accounted for at least three of the enemy. “B” Flight are now eagerly awaiting an opportunity to come to grips again but as the days pass it seems as if this is unlikely as long as the Squadron remains at Church Fenton.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 15th August 1940):

*  Enemy: 161 confirmed, 61 probable, 58 damaged
*  Own: 34 destroyed, 18 pilots killed or missing

Todays’s theme: The Planes They Flew In – Boulton Paul Defiant

Weather: cloudy

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 59
• Spitfire – 219
• Hurricane – 342
• Defiant – 25
• Gladiator – 2
• Total – 647

At midday a substantial force was detected by radar building up over Calais. Escorted by a large number of fighters, bombers advanced on Dover and on airfields in Kent. Groups of Me109s and Me110 fighters flew above cloud, endeavouring to attract RAF fighters into combat. 32, 65 and 610 Squadrons were sent up and were involved in heavy fighting. The Goodwin Lightship was destroyed. Another group of aircraft took the opportunity, as usual, to attack Manston.

Luftflotte 3 sent over a number of small pockets of aircraft. Middle Wallop airfield was attacked, killing 3 men.

8 RAF fighters were lost and 19 German aircraft were destroyed.

54 Squadron Operational Record Book, 14 August
A day of absolute inactivity as far as the squadron was concerned.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 14th August 1940):

*  Enemy: 30 confirmed, 8 unconfirmed; 9 damaged.
* Own: 5 Hurricanes, 3 Spitfires, 3 Blenheims

Todays’s theme: Top Gun Gallery – Paddy Finucane