Category Archive

Weather: fair with some rain.

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 53
• Spitfire – 214
• Hurricane – 391
• Defiant – 19
• Gladiator – 7
• Total – 684

The first main attack this day was by Me110s, acting as bombers accompanied by a large number of Me109s. The plan was for the Me109s, having escorted their charges, to remain over the capital and provide cover for a second wave of bombers Do17s and Ju88s. The plan misfired. The bombers came on alone. The Me109s with their fuel running low made for home. The bombers were intercepted by the RAF fighters. The same combination of aircraft attacked aircraft works at Filton and Yeovil.

Later that day, 80 German aircraft flew towards Bristol but were intercepted and forced to drop their bombs on the suburbs. Around midday nearly 300 aircraft made for London but most got no further than mid Kent having been intercepted by a number of 11 Group squadrons.
Eventually, some 20 aircraft made it to the centre of London. The day had been full of action. The RAF had shot down 54 German aircraft and had lost 28 themselves.

303 Squadron Operational Record Book – 27 September
09:00 hours
11 Hurricanes left Northolt at 09:00hours. Squadron working with No. 1 Canadian Squadron were sent out and encountered the enemy in the Horsham area at 15,000 feet. The enemy consisted of 30 He111 protected by 50 to 60 Me109s. Bombers in vics of 3 line astern stepped up behind. It was noticed that the majority of the He111s had a vertical white stripe on the tail fin and from a distance they gave the impression of friendly aircraft. The squadron attacked the bombers from astern and were themselves engaged by enemy fighters which fled in disorder. In the meantime the bombers had wheeled and were heading south and the squadron went in to attack from astern. Vics of bombers maintained formation throughout, closing up when one or more were shot down. Other Hurricanes came in to attack the bombers and immediately afterwards the squadron noticed about 40 Do17s approaching head on in single line astern formation supported by Me109s above. Upon going in to attack the bombers formed a defensive circle and the enemy fighters formed a similar circle above. Only one pilot attacked Hes and Dos and succeeded in shooting one down on land. Two other squadrons of Hurricanes came in and attacked the Dos as far as is known broke them up and inflicted heavy casualties. Our fighter did not follow down the individual e/a claimed as destroyed but it is believed that almost all were shot down on land.
Enemy casualties: 4 Me109, 4 He111, 1 Do17, 1 Me 110 – destroyed
1 Me109 – probable, 1 He111 damaged.
Our casualties: FO Paszkiewicz crashed at Borough Green, pilot killed in the air. Sgt. Andruszkow crashed at Cowden, pilot killed in air. FO Zak baled out near Leatherhead and taken to Leatherhead Hospital suffering from burns to face and hands. 1 Hurricane cat. 3.
As on 26 September, just before going in to attack the Squadron received orders on the R/T “apany leader pancake”. This was not given by controllers at this station but was given in good English and in an authoritative manner.

249 Squadron Operational Record Book – 27 September
3 very successful sorties carried out with 46 Squadron. Our casualties were POs Burton and Meaker killed. Although 2 of our most gallant comrades were lost, to-day was a glorious day in the history of the Squadron. From reports later received it appears that PO Meaker attacked a close formation of 5 Ju88s on his own and his aircraft was completely shot up by the heavy cross fire from the cannons now fitted in the rear of these aircraft. From reports from the Hailsham district Observer Corps, it appears that PO Burton has been attacking an Me110 for some time and was seen to climb above it and dive down on to it, he rammed it and cut it’s tail off and both aircraft crashed. PO A G Lewis, DFC on this day destroyed 6 aircraft himself and was subsequently ordered a bar to his DFC.
Enemy casualties: 21 destroyed, 6 probable, 3 damaged.

266 Squadron Operational Record Book – 27 September
Squadron ordered to patrol in Duxford Wing and investigate activity North Weald-Biggin Hill area as near cloud base as possible (17,000 feet). No enemy aircraft or AA fire seen. Another wing of Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft seen over Sheppey area. Wing was then ordered to return and land at Duxford.

Cyril Shoesmith, 14 years old, Bexhill-on-Sea, Diary – Friday 27 September
The next raid came at 3pm. We heard heavy machine-gun fire and 4 bombers came over the trees. As they came closer we could see six fighters on their tail. One of the German bombers had been set alight by our fighters for there was black smoke pouring out of its tail. We watched them until they were out of sight heading towards Galley Hill. Three of the Germans were shot down in the sea. Many fighters circled round and a formation of 24 went over. There was more machine gun fire and the “raiders passed” came at 4.10. At 11.30 there was a raid which ended at 6.15am.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 27th September 1940):

*  Enemy:  133 confirmed,  55 probable,  52 damaged
*  Own: 27 aircraft with 18 pilots killed or missing.

Today’s theme: The Squadrons – 601 Squadron

Battle of Britain Day
Weather: fine

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 47
• Spitfire – 192
• Hurricane – 389
• Defiant – 24
• Gladiator – 8
• Total – 660

Weather wise this was finally the opportunity the Luftwaffe had been waiting for. Accordingly, in mid-morning the radar along the south coast picked up evidence of mass raids which duly appeared over southern England heading for London. All three groups, 10, 11 and 12 in southern England now played their part in intercepting the incoming armada. There were no less than 30 squadrons who were engaged in intercepting and contesting the progress of this vast fleet of German bombers. Furthermore, the latter was accompanied by a very strong force of Me109s. Naturally, despite the aerial battles which developed, substantial damage was done to London. This was partly due to the manner in which the German bombers jettisoned their bombs when under attack.

Bombs fell again on Buckingham Palace. One sergeant pilot who shot down a Do17, from which the German crew managed to parachute to safety, was himself shot down and managed to bale out ending up in a dustbin in Chelsea. Proceedings that day demonstrated beyond doubt that Fighter Command, far from being on the verge of collapse, was on vigorous form. Despite the RAF claiming that it had shot down no less than 183 aircraft, when the actual figure was 56, for a loss of 26 aircraft, the result was almost three to one in the RAF’s favour. For the Germans it was the sheer experience of having to fight their way to London and back when they had been assured that the opposition was almost at an end, that so riled them.

Meanwhile, in the early evening there had been an attack on the Supermarine Spitfire factory near Southampton but this had been driven off by intense anti-aircraft fire.

The significance of this day was, that in terms of publicity, the British had got a wonderful boost to their morale. Everybody in the land had listened to the nine o’clock news on the BBC that night. Although the day had been fine, the weather was in fact breaking up. It was going to be too late to mount an invasion. The Germans had missed the boat. Yet despite the events of these couple of days, Goering was not giving up. Indeed a new plan was announced. It would be a renewed attack on Fighter Command airfields carried out mainly by hoards of Me109s. The RAF, he confidently asserted, would be finished within 4 days. That was what everyone had heard at the beginning of Adler Tag. The weather would last another 6 weeks but the decisive day, which has gone down in history as Battle of Britain day, was on this date the 15th September. Britain had survived the onslaught.

249 Squadron Operational Record Book – 15 September
Squadron patrolled with no. 46 Squadron at 12:00 hours and intercepted 20 Do215s South of London, and carried out a beam attack. Enemy casualties: 1 destroyed, 1 probable and 1 damaged. Our casualties: nil. At 13:40 hours, Squadron again ordered to patrol and intercepted 15 Do215s over South London. A beam attack cracked this formation wide open, the result being that 5 ½ bombers were destroyed and 8 ½ probables and 3 damaged. One reason for this success was that the German fighters failed to do their stuff, probably due to their attention already being diverted by being attacked from above by Spitfires. Further patrol with 46 Squadron carried out over Shellhaven during the evening; nothing seen. This was by far the most successful day in the Squadron’s history.Total to date 185 enemy aircraft destroyed.
Enemy casualties: 8 ½ destroyed, 9 ½ probable, 4 damaged.

73 Squadron Unofficial War Diary – 15 September
At 1445hrs our five serviceable machines took off to investigate an “X” raid near Maidstone. Over 100 EA nearly all bombers, were contacted and the boys waded in. P/O Langham-Hobart set about a Me110 and saw one engine on fire. Sergt Ellis tackled a He111k and damaged it, both of these were highly probable, Sergt Garton damaged a Do17.

News came through later that P/O Roy Marchand had crashed at Sittingbourne, Kent, and was unfortunately killed. No details are available…The task of breaking the news to Mrs Marchand. Roy’s wife, fell to F/Lt Beytagh and P/O Hoole. The whole Squadron mourns the loss of this popular, cheery, happy-go-lucky, but gallant pilot.

Cyril Shoesmith, 14 years old, Bexhill-on-Sea, Diary – Sunday 15 September
The 1st air raid today was from 11.40am-1.10pm. Saw a Hurricane about 12.30, and just before the “all clear” went we saw a squadron of “Hurricanes” and a squadron of “Spitfires”. At 2.45pm the “take cover” was sounded. We saw a German bomber being attacked by 3 Spitfires. Also about 30 German planes in one formation heading towards the sea. A big number of English planes headed towards Eastbourne. The raid lasted 1 hour.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 15th September1940):

*  Enemy: 186confirmed, 42 probable, 72 damaged
*  Own: 25 aircraft with 13 pilots killed or missing.

Today’s theme: Captains and Commanders - Winston Churchill

Weather; cloudy with some rain

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 47
• Spitfire – 225
• Hurricane – 375
• Defiant – 21
• Gladiator – 8
• Total – 676

The day featured scattered attacks often by single aircraft, usually Me109s, carrying a single bomb. These attacks by Luftflotte 3 on airfields such as Tangmere and West Malling occurred in the late afternoon. Single aircraft attackers also came over from Luftflotte 2 hitting airfields in Kent.

The RAF shot down 2 enemy aircraft and lost none of its own.

That night St. Katherine’s Dock was attacked resulting in a devastating fire. In all over a thousand incendiary bombs were dropped during the night raid on London.

Cyril Shoesmith, 14 years old, Bexhill-on-Sea, Diary – Tuesday 10 September
Had an air raid from 12.25pm-1.25. At 5.10pm-6.40 there was a 2nd raid. Planes were heard. At 6 a big plane came over. There was machine gun fire. The plane was a bomber. We heard a queer humming sound. Then the plane was seen approaching from the town. It had been turned back by the Lewis guns. We heard about 2 loud explosions and machine guns. The plane came over our houses and I saw that it had 2 engines. I heard a whistling noise and then a very loud explosion. 8.25pm-4.45am – air raid.

73 Squadron Operational Record Book – 10 September – Castle Camps
Debden sent up a band at 1900 hours which played good dance tunes outside the Mess and highly delighted an enthusiastic audience with ‘request’ numbers. The CO and F/L Beytagh to Debden for supper and a discussion on tactics with OC 17 Squadron. Majority of those pilots left at F1 [Freddie 1 – satellite camp to Debden] repaired to an hostelry in the neighbourhood which was unanimously voted the best of its kind yet found locally. The stopping of the clock in the bar added to the enjoyment as the landlord did not notice the sabotage until 2255 hours.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 10th September 1940):

*  Enemy: 2 confirmed, 1 probable, 0 damaged
*  Own: 1 Spitfire, pilot safe.

Weather: fine.

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 52
• Spitfire – 200
• Hurricane – 410
• Defiant – 29
• Gladiator – 9
• Total – 700

Park realised the Luftwaffe was concentrating its attack on factories – particularly those producing aircraft. He therefore ensured that Brooklands where Hurricanes were manufactured and the Supermarine factory down near Southampton, which manufactured Spitfires, were both protected. The day proved he was right. Brooklands was the subject of a fierce attack but the squadrons were there to fend it off. No serious damage was done. Affording this protection was costly. During the day the RAF lost 23 aircraft from which 12 of the pilots were safe. A similar number of German aircraft were destroyed.

An intelligence report stated that a German soldier dressed in civilian clothes had been captured at Denton, Northamptonshire. He was carrying a wireless and had a British identity card.

73 Squadron Unofficial War Diary – 6 September, RAF Castle Camps
Another bright day and everyone looking forward to more hunting. About 0755 all our serviceable machines, seven in all, took off on a “scramble” to Gravesend. Contact was made near Maidstone. Blue Section, led by Mike Beytagh, waded into a pile of 109s. Chubby Eliot unfortunately was shot down, and is now in Twickenhurst Hospital after baling out, the nature of his injuries is not known. P/O Marchand got a fairly definite Me109 and gave us a bit of heart flutter when he failed to return. He landed at Tunbridge and had a bath and a shave. “Mike” also got a probable. Green Section did not make contact being too low.

Once again at 12.55 hrs nine machines, six from “B” Flight and three from “A” Flight. The order was to scramble Gravesend, and look for bandits at 36,000!! Then two other Squadrons were vectored on to 100 bandits. We did see a solitary EA but so high that white vapour was all we could make out.

No rest for the wicked! At 18.10 hrs nine machines scrambled for Chelmsford and were vectored out to sea. Nothing was seen, so Sergt. Webster is firmly convinced that there are no Hun aircraft left, he complains that he’s been with us three months and hasn’t seen an EA. Well, live and learn!! “A” Flight have been released, and we all went to sample the night life in Castle Camps, Helions Bumpstead, the nearby villages.

Cyril Shoesmith, 14 years old, Bexhill-on-Sea, Diary – Friday 6 September
Had 4 air raids today. In the 1st which was from 8.40am-10, I saw 9 planes. The 2nd was at 12.50-2. During this 3 “Spitfires” were seen and others heard. The siren sounded at 6.10pm and planes were heard. The “all clear” went at 7.17. At 9.50pm-1.10 there was a 4th raid. Planes came over and there were several heavy explosions.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 6th September 1940):

*  Enemy: 44 confirmed, 20 probable, 14 damaged
*  Own: 22 aircraft with 7 pilots killed or missing.

Todays’s theme: The Squadrons – 242 Squadron