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Weather: cloudy with some showers
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 33
- Spitfire – 226
- Hurricane – 416
- Defiant – 9
- Gladiator – 8
- Total – 692
This was to be a busy day. It started with an attack of just over 120 aircraft searching for targets in Kent. They were met by some 16 RAF squadrons. There was widespread combat.
A second attack developed that morning, again involving over 100 Me109s which broke up into single intruders or small groups. They too were intercepted by, not only 11 Group, but also 12 Group aircraft.
A third attack occurred in the afternoon consisting of some 50 Me109s which headed for London and Biggin Hill.
At 15.30, a further attack, this time by a mixed force of fighters Me110s and Ju88s, went for the Westland works at Yeovil. A shelter was hit in Yeovil town causing many casualties. Following this, a number of individual aircraft or small groups attacked various targets along the south coast. That day Goering put the final touches to yet another plan to encompass the final defeat of the RAF in a conveniently short time, namely 4 days. This was, in essence, a plan to bomb London to bits. Fighter Command flew 829 sorties that day for the loss of 17 aircraft against the Luftwaffe’s loss of 10 planes destroyed.
That night, Hendon airfield was bombed and some serious damage was done with a complete flight destroyed and offices and hangars hit. During the night raids hit Tottenham and destroyed the gas works there. Flying in the opposite direction that evening were some 150 twin-engined RAF bombers heading for Berlin.
501 Squadron Operational Record Book – 7 October
The Squadron was ordered away at 12:50 hours. They joined up with 605 Squadron. They intercepted two Me109s north west of Ashford, 5 Me109s came behind the Squadron. Dog fights ensued and 2 Me109s were destroyed and 1 probably destroyed. PO Mackenzie attacked the rear guard of another formation of Me109s. He damaged the glycol tank and forced it into the sea by ramming its tail with his wing tip. He was then attacked by 2 e/a. He evaded them (having used all his ammunition) and force landed his badly shot up aircraft 1 mile north of Folkestone. The Squadron did not take off again during this day.
Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 7th October 1940):
* Enemy: 27 confirmed, 5 probable, 14 damaged
* Own:16 aircraft with 6 pilots missing.
Today’s theme: Unsung Heroes: Fire Services
Weather: rain and cloud
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 49
- Spitfire – 222
- Hurricane – 362
- Defiant – 23
- Gladiator – 8
- Total – 659
Faced with the prospect of further bad weather, Hitler yet again postponed Sealion.
Despite the conditions, Luftflotte 2 sent over small pockets of fighter bombers together with a mass of Me109s to harass the defences. The idea was that the bombers would attract RAF fighters who would then run into the Me109s who would slaughter them. The RAF flew 540 sorties, lost five of their number but shot down 8 of the enemy.
By night, there was a heavy attack on London by over 260 bombers. The West End took the brunt of this night’s raids. There was a great deal of damage and in particular John Lewis in Oxford Street went up in flames. There was direct hit on the telephone exchange at Greenwich and Marble Arch tube station was also hit. Merseyside and Glasgow were further targets that night.
RAF Bomber Command continued its night raids on the concentrations of barges in the French ports along the Channel.
73 Squadron Unofficial War Diary – 17 September
At 1550 hrs the Squadron was ordered to “scramble” to Hendon, angels 15, and join up with 257 Squadron. A glorious shambles was the result. The Squadron arrived over Hendon to find the sky absolutely stiff with aircraft, which on closer inspection proved to be British. If the number of aircraft shot down by the Hun is as great as he claims then after this afternoons display we are quite ready to believe that our production of aircraft and fighter pilots must have reached astronomical figures.
501 Squadron Operational Record Book – 17 September
One patrol (2 aircraft) took off on patrol at 13:50hours. 12 aircraft took off at 15:03 hours in company with 253 Squadron over Ashford. They were attacked by 20 Me109s. Sqdn Ldr Hogan attacked 1 Me109 and hit it in the radiator. This aircraft was seem to turn inland. Damage to this aircraft was not seen. Sgts Lacey and Egan were reported missing in this engagement but information was received that Lacey was uninjured but had baled out.
Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 17th September 1940):
* Enemy: 10 confirmed, 4 probable, 2 damaged
* Own: Five aircraft of which four pilots are safe.
Weather: fine
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 60
- Spitfire – 204
- Hurricane – 398
- Defiant – 21
- Gladiator – 7
- Total – 690
This day saw an acceleration of the Luftwaffe’s attempt at wiping out the RAF’s strength, particularly that of 11 Group, the airfields of which were under continuous attack.
Early that morning several groups of 30 plus aircraft were forming up behind Calais. These groups turned into one large formation of 100 aircraft, split roughly between fighters and bombers. They were soon flying across the Channel where they split up into small groups again going for individual targets. These turned out to be Eastchurch, Rochford, North Weald and Biggin Hill. 11 Group succeeded in getting 5 squadrons into position where they could intercept. Some attacks were from high flying aircraft while others were from low flying aircraft, the latter being very difficult to detect.
Early in the afternoon a group of some 250 aircraft crossed the south coast and then broke up into smaller groups. Amongst the targets which were attacked was Debden which was very heavily damaged.
In the mid afternoon a third group formed up over Calais, mounting to 250 aircraft. Once again being half bombers and half fighters. They then crossed the Channel and spread widely over Kent. Raids were sent yet again to Biggin Hill, Kenley and Brooklands. Damage was also caused to Eastchurch and Hornchurch. But at Hornchurch the interception by 11 Group squadrons was so successful that only some six bombs fell within the perimeter of the airfield. Maidstone was heavily bombed. Industrial targets were also hit namely the Vickers factory at Brooklands and the Short Brothers factory at Rochester.
Finally, a little after 5 pm the fourth raid of the day developed. This raid concentrated on Eastchurch and Detling. Eastchurch received two attacks where severe damage was done where some 5 aircraft were destroyed on the ground together with considerable damage being done to the airfield’s communications. Eastchurch was made unusable.
That day Fighter Command had lost 25 aircraft to the Luftwaffe’s 35. 8 RAF pilots had been killed.
303 Squadron Operational Record Book: 2 September
17:30 hours
About 10 Me 109s dived out of sun onto squadron near Dover at 19,000 ft…Sgt Frantiszek pursued one 109 over French coast. Enemy aircraft damaged in engine and fuselage, escaped smoking.
501 Squadron Operational Record Book: 2 September, Gravesend
At 07:50 bombs were dropped on the edges of the aerodrome but no material damage was done. The only casualties were 2 soldiers slightly injured. The Squadron was ordered to patrol Gravesend at 07:36 hours. Engagement took place but too late to prevent a few 40lb bombs being dropped across the lower part of the Aerodrome. 1 pilot encountered 15 Do17s at 10,000 feet and another pilot encountered 9 He113s. Sgt Henn was injured in this engagement and PO Skalski force landed and was injured.
PO D.H. Wissler Diary – 2 September
We took off at about 6.30 for Debden and arrived about 45 mins later. We did two patrols over Thames Haven, the first time we saw hundreds of huns but they were fleeing back home. Our AA guns fired at us, and came much too close. We had one more flap, but opps had their fingers so far up that everything was messed up and we never saw a thing.
Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 2nd September 1940):
* Enemy: 41 confirmed, 18 probable, 32 damaged
* Own: 20 aircraft with 10 pilots killed or missing.
Todays’s theme: Unsung Heroes – The Ministry of Aircraft Production
Weather: fine but with some cloud and rain.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 53
- Spitfire – 230
- Hurricane – 412
- Defiant – 18
- Gladiator – 7
- Total – 720
The morning was quiet but the afternoon produced massive fighter sweeps flown by the Luftwaffe. Over 500 Me109s, together with 100 Me110s, flew over Kent. They were hoping to attract the RAF into the air so that they could be destroyed. 11 Group had been expecting at least a small element of bombers in this group. So when they saw that the Luftwaffe was fielding a purely fighter formation, in accordance with Park’s orders, they avoided combat. The Scilly Isles were once again bombed and machine gunned that afternoon and there were reports that the islanders wanted to be evacuated. The RAF lost 9 aircraft that day, but this was against a score of 17 enemy aircraft shot down.
That night Liverpool was hit once again.
501 Squadron Operational Record Book – 29 August
The Squadron was released until 12:00 hours. They left for Hawkinge at 12:55 and patrol carried out from 15:45 to 16:30. No interceptions were made. The Squadron again took off at 18:00 to patrol Gravesend at Angels 15 over Hawkinge. The Squadron were attacked by 9 Me109s out of the sun. Flt Lt J A A Gibson baled out after his aircraft had been shot up, and Sgt Lacey shot down the Me109. Sgt Green also baled out and was picked up near Hawkinge. The Squadron’s victories were 2 Me109s destroyed.
Cyril Shoesmith Diary – Aged 14, Bexhill on Sea – Thursday 29 August
Had 2 air raids today. In the 1st one, which was from 3.20-5 we watched a dog fight in the air. There was [sic] about thirty planes. Machine gun fire could be heard. Saw 3 planes in 6.15-7.30 raid.
Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 29th August 1940):
* Enemy: 9 confirmed, 10 probable, 5 damaged
* Own: 9 aircraft with 2 pilots killed or missing.
Todays’s theme: The Planes They Flew In – the JU88
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