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Spitfires in flight formation, copyright RAF Museum Hendon
Weather: Cloudy in the Channel and along the East coast.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 63
- Spitfire – 238
- Hurricane – 352
- Defiant – 22
- Total – 675
The Luftwaffe attacked a convoy off the East coast and sank a trawler. Fighter Command intercepted several raiders and flew 477 sorties. No victories were claimed but several enemy aircraft were damaged. No RAF planes were lost but one Spitfire was burnt out.
That night Swansea was bombed and residential properties were damaged.
91/41/1 PO DH Wissler – Diary, 2 August
Returned off leave at 1.30 but the flight was forward at Martlesham so I did nothing all day. F/O Count Czernin has been shooting up a grand line in the Daily Sketch about his dog, and the no. of enemy he has shot down, it is treated with dirision [sic] up here, and his flight wrote to the “Talk of the Town” section and said it was 18 enemy not 8 that he had shot down, and it was printed today.
Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 2nd August 1940):
- Enemy: Nil.
- Own: Nil.
Todays’s theme: 92 Squadron
Weather: heavy cloud and poor visibility.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 61
- Spitfire – 242
- Hurricane – 318
- Defiant – 26
- Gladiator – 8 (1 Flight only)
- Total – 655
Shipping near the Isle of Wight was attacked. The German aircraft were, however, intercepted by 601 Squadron fighters, with a later raid being met by 238 Squadron. 1 of the German aircraft was shot down with the loss of 2 RAF fighters. However, a further 2 German aircraft were lost later on that day. 581 sorties were flown. In widespread sporadic raids on Hastings, Essex, Monmouth and Gloucestershire minor damage was caused.
On this day, the Admiralty stopped further daylight shipping from passing through the Straits of Dover.
PO DH Wissler – Diary, 26 July
P/O Pittman and I went to Lord and Lady Fitzgerald’s for the day and night, we had a very quiet time, but it was a rest although very much without action. We had a fine night and a late breakfast.
(Reproduced with kind permission of the Imperial War Museum and Copyright holder)
Today’s theme: The Squadrons – 19 Squadron
Weather: fine day.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 56
- Spitfire – 234
- Hurricane – 316
- Defiant – 25
- Gladiator – 8 (1 Flight only)
- Total – 639
This was a very active day. The RAF flew 641 sorties. In a number of sporadic attacks along the south coast 16 aircraft were shot down with a loss of seven RAF fighters. However, the enemy succeeded in sinking 5 ships and damaging five more. The aerial attacks were coordinated with aggression by 9 E Boats who were fought off by 2 destroyers – one of which had to be towed into Dover following an attack by a Ju88 bomber.
PO DH Wissler – Diary, 25 July
I went over to Martlesham to relieve one of the pilots and then did two patrols of 1.40 and 1.50 hours. The pilots in blue section did 6 hours while we in green did 4 ½ all told. God were we tired this evening. I was so sore around the back and backside. I hear that I and P/O Pittman are doing the big social act tomorrow.
(Reproduced with kind permission of the Imperial War Museum and Copyright holder)
54 Squadron Operational Record Book, 25 July, Hornchurch
14:30 hours
Black Thursday. The squadron on 2 occasions bore the brunt of heavy enemy attacks on convoys between Deal and Dover. The loss of Flt Lt Way (missing) in this action was a great tragedy. That he accounted for an enemy aircraft before meeting his unknown fate is typical of his keenness and great courage in the face of odds large or small.
74 Squadron Operational Record Book, 25 July
Red Leader investigated a group of aircraft flying towards Calais and Red Leader, Flt Lt Malan, identified them as Me109s; attacked one at 150 yds and saw ammunition entering fuselage. Squadron returned to base without loss.
Today’s theme: The Planes They Flew – The Hurricane
Weather: another day of mixed weather in the Channel.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 62
- Spitfire – 243
- Hurricane – 282
- Defiant – 12
- Total – 599
A relatively quiet but successful day. 2 enemy aircraft were shot down in combat over convoys but this was without loss to the RAF.
PO DH Wissler – Diary, 23 July
We went over to Martlesham and did a hell of a lot of flying. Two patrols one of 1.05hrs and one of 1.45hrs, at about 7pm we were told to take off for Debden, but having got half way home we were recalled and brought to readiness again. Eventually we were released at 9.15 and arrived to make a dusk landing. I shall sleep very well tonight, given half the chance.
(Reproduced with kind permission of the Imperial War Museum and Copyright holder)
Weather: Thunderstorms in the Channel, patchy clouds over Dover.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 62
- Spitfire – 224
- Hurricane – 308
- Defiant – 11
- Total – 605
A large convoy was attacked opposite Dover. In a dogfight above this convoy, 2 Hurricanes were lost and 4 damaged. There was a major dogfight when 50 Me109s and Me110s clashed with some 24 Hurricanes and Spitfires. The RAF lost that day 3 aircraft against 9 German aircraft destroyed which included 5 Me109s. The day’s performance made up for the previous day’s disappointing tally.
PO DH Wissler – Diary, 20 July
It was my evening off and Brigid managed to get a pass so we went out to the “Red Lion” near Duxford and had dinner together in F/L Quinn’s car. A very nice evening.
(Reproduced with kind permission of the Imperial War Museum and Copyright holder)
Today’s theme: The Airfields They Flew From – Kenley
Weather: another dull day.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 67
- Spitfire – 237
- Hurricane – 331
- Defiant – 20
- Total – 659
The day was relatively quiet with just a few desultory attacks both in the Channel and the North Sea. There were 253 sorties during which the RAF lost 1 fighter and managed to shoot down 2 Luftwaffe aircraft.
PO DH Wissler – Diary, 17 July
The weather was filthy again this morning so we stayed in bed as long as possible. We did nothing all day although “A” flight were called to readiness about lunch time. We are going to lose S/L Mcdougal as our CO today, in place S/L Williams, and first impressions of the latter aren’t good. We all went to the Mead Hall and a terrific party ensued. Everyone got plastered and I did not get to bed until 2, having helped bring the ex-CO home.
(Reproduced with kind permission of the Imperial War Museum and Copyright holder)
Today’s theme: Top Gun Gallery – Alan Deere
Weather: cold
The fog of the previous day still persisted and didn’t clear until midday. Despite this several convoys were attacked off the east coast. Attacks were also made on a convoy finding its way through the Straits of Dover. Finally, an attack was launched on a convoy off Lyme Regis by a formation of over 50 German aircraft. One RAF fighter was lost, but 7 German aircraft were destroyed.
54 Operational Record Book, 13 July 17:14 hours
New Zealand to the fore again! This time in the person of PO Gray. 3 sections were patrolling Manston when seasoned Blue section (Flt Lt Way, PO Gray and Sgt Norwell – all survivors of Dunkirk) were sighted by 2 Me 109s. Better prepared than the earlier and less fortunate Green section of the squadron, the tables were turned on the 109s, chasing them back at sea level almost to the French coast. PO Gray shot down one which crashed into the sea (confirmed by 56 Squadron). Flt Lt Way was unfortunate for the 109 he was chasing escaped.
The Squadron now stands at:
a)enemy aircraft certain casualties – 39
b)enemy aircraft probable casualties – 21
c)our own pilots missing or killed – 6
d)our own aircraft lost whilst engaging the enemy – 13
PO DH Wissler – Diary,13 July 1940
We were at readiness all morning but nothing happened, then as soon as we sat down to lunch we were told to take off for Martlesham. We did one patrol over the sea round up the E. Coast but we saw nothing although we were guided to where 3 bombers were meant to be. We returned about 8 and on arriving back at Debden were instructed to do some formation flying so that photographers from “Life” could get some shots. Unfortunately I never felt less like formation and it wasn’t really good.
(Reproduced with kind permission of the Imperial War Museum and Copyright holder)
Today’s theme: The Airfields – Biggin Hill
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