15 SEPTEMBER 1940 A week after their change of tactics, the Germans launched another massive assault on 15 September, which they believed would finally shatter Fighter Command’s resistance and open the way for a successful invasion. However, since 7 September Britain's defences had recovered, fighter production continued and operational pilot strength was the highest it had been since the start of the Battle of Britain. The German offensive came in two distinct waves, giving British aircraft time to refuel and rearm. Also, the usual diversionary manoeuvres were not employed so the British were able to deploy as many as 17 squadrons - in good positions - to meet the threat. German bomber formations were smashed, making accurate bombing impossible. Although bombs were dropped on London, Portland and Southampton, little damage was done. Some of the fighting in the skies was visible from the ground and this photograph shows how closely the dogfights between the RAF and the Luftwaffe were followed during the battle. It was a day of heavy and sustained fighting and the Germans suffered their highest losses since 18 August. It was obvious to both sides that German tactics had failed and the Luftwaffe had not gained the air supremacy they needed for an invasion. Fighting continued for another few weeks, but the action on 15 September was seen as an overwhelming and decisive defeat for the Luftwaffe. For this reason, this date is celebrated in the United Kingdom as Battle of Britain Day. 9 Important Dates In The Battle Of Britain
15th September 1940. Hans Zonderlind, a front gunner in a Dornier Do 17, was astonished at the numbers of aircraft ranged against him. We saw the Hurricanes coming towards us and it seemed that the whole of the RAF was there, we had never seen so many British fighters coming at us at once.I saw a couple of our comrades go down, and we got hit once but it did no great damage. All around us were dogfights as the fighters went after each other,then as we were getting ready for our approach to target, we saw what must have been a hundred RAF fighters coming towards us.....where were they coming from? - we had been told that the RAF fighters were very close to extinction, we could not keep our present course, we turned to starboard doing all that we could to avoid the fighters and after a while I am sure we had lost our bearings, so we just dropped our bombs and made our retreat. From Patrick Bishop's very good book, ' Battle Of Britian ' Graham.
15 SEPTEMBER 1940 A week after their change of tactics, the Germans launched another massive assault on 15 September, which they believed would finally shatter Fighter Command’s resistance and open the way for a successful invasion. However, since 7 September Britain's defences had recovered, fighter production continued and operational pilot strength was the highest it had been since the start of the Battle of Britain. The German offensive came in two distinct waves, giving British aircraft time to refuel and rearm. Also, the usual diversionary manoeuvres were not employed so the British were able to deploy as many as 17 squadrons - in good positions - to meet the threat. German bomber formations were smashed, making accurate bombing impossible. Although bombs were dropped on London, Portland and Southampton, little damage was done. Some of the fighting in the skies was visible from the ground and this photograph shows how closely the dogfights between the RAF and the Luftwaffe were followed during the battle. It was a day of heavy and sustained fighting and the Germans suffered their highest losses since 18 August. It was obvious to both sides that German tactics had failed and the Luftwaffe had not gained the air supremacy they needed for an invasion. Fighting continued for another few weeks, but the action on 15 September was seen as an overwhelming and decisive defeat for the Luftwaffe. For this reason, this date is celebrated in the United Kingdom as Battle of Britain Day. 9 Important Dates In The Battle Of Britain
The "hour of destiny" was September 15th, a date thereafter commemorated as "Battle of Britain Day". The title has been disputed; Alfred Price, for one, says that September 15th "has singularly little to commend it.....the day when the British victory claim was furthest from the truth....." Yet, forgetting the "numbers game", it is hard to dispute Churchill's verdict that it was, in fact, "the crux of the Battle of Britain". He made that judgment in the light of his knowledge of what happened to Operation SEALION - which was, of course, from beginning to end, what the Battle of Britain was really about. The Official History sums up with clarity: "If 15th August showed the German High Command that air supremacy was not to be won within a brief space, 15th September went far to convince them that it would not be won at all." John Terraine The Right of the Line Hodder & Stoughton 1985 pp210-211 September 15th 1940 (morning)
15th SEPTEMBER 1940 A week after their change of tactics, the Germans launched another massive assault on 15 September, which they believed would finally shatter Fighter Command’s resistance and open the way for a successful invasion. However, since 7 September Britain's defences had recovered, fighter production continued and operational pilot strength was the highest it had been since the start of the Battle of Britain. The German offensive came in two distinct waves, giving British aircraft time to refuel and rearm. Also, the usual diversionary manoeuvres were not employed so the British were able to deploy as many as 17 squadrons - in good positions - to meet the threat. German bomber formations were smashed, making accurate bombing impossible. Although bombs were dropped on London, Portland and Southampton, little damage was done. Some of the fighting in the skies was visible from the ground and this photograph shows how closely the dogfights between the RAF and the Luftwaffe were followed during the battle. It was a day of heavy and sustained fighting and the Germans suffered their highest losses since 18 August. It was obvious to both sides that German tactics had failed and the Luftwaffe had not gained the air supremacy they needed for an invasion. Fighting continued for another few weeks, but the action on 15 September was seen as an overwhelming and decisive defeat for the Luftwaffe. For this reason, this date is celebrated in the United Kingdom as Battle of Britain Day. 9 Important Dates In The Battle Of Britain
September 15th 1940 (morning) The "hour of destiny" was September 15th, a date thereafter commemorated as "Battle of Britain Day". The title has been disputed; Alfred Price, for one, says that September 15th "has singularly little to commend it.....the day when the British victory claim was furthest from the truth....." Yet, forgetting the "numbers game", it is hard to dispute Churchill's verdict that it was, in fact, "the crux of the Battle of Britain". He made that judgment in the light of his knowledge of what happened to Operation SEALION - which was, of course, from beginning to end, what the Battle of Britain was really about. The Official History sums up with clarity: "If 15th August showed the German High Command that air supremacy was not to be won within a brief space, 15th September went far to convince them that it would not be won at all." John Terraine The Right of the Line Hodder & Stoughton 1985 pp210-211 Sunday September 15th 1940, was not only the turning point of the Battle of Britain, it was the turning point of the whole war. Every Fighter Command aerodrome in 11 Group was in some way involved, every squadron within 11 Group participated as well as the Duxford Wing from 12 Group and a number of squadrons in 10 Group were called upon to protect areas in the south west. Ground crews at all 11 Group airfields had to make efficiency a top priority in getting aircraft refueled and rearmed in between sorties, while at 11 Group Headquarters Air Vice Marshal Keith Park busily controlled the situation drawing on all his experience and expertise under the watchful eye of visiting Winston Churchill who saw first hand the development of activities on this important day. Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding remained at Fighter Command Headquarters keeping silent vigil over the large map below indicating to him the events and the unfolding battle that was taking place over the south-east of England.
September 15th 1940 (Afternoon) CASUALTIES: For this day only, to indicate the severity of the days combat actions the full casualty list is displayed. Aircraft shown in red are those that were lost or destroyed 1140hrs: Croydon. Hurricane L2122. 605 Squadron Croydon P/O R.E. Jones unhurt. (Shot down in combat with Do17s and Bf109s. Pilot baled out of damaged aircraft) 1150hrs: Sevenoaks Kent. Hurricane N2537. 229 Squadron Northolt P/O G.L.D. Doutrepont killed. (Crashed onto Staplehurst Railway Station after being shot down by Bf109s) 1200hrs: Sevenoaks Kent. Hurricane V6616. 229 Squadron Northolt P/O R.R. Smith wounds to leg. (Baled out after combat with Do215 and Bf110s) 1210hrs: Tunbridge Wells. Hurricane P3080. 1 RCAF Squadron Northolt F/O A.D. Nesbitt wounded. (Shot down by Bf109. Baled out) 1210hrs: Tunbridge Wells. Hurricane P3876. 1 RCAF Squadron Northolt F/O R. Smither killed. (Attacked and shot down by Bf109. Pilot failed to bale out) 1215hrs: London. Hurricane P2725. 504 Squadron Hendon Sgt R.T. Holmes unhurt. (Baled out after aircraft damaged by Bf109 crashed in Buckingham Palace Rd) 1215hrs: Canterbury. Spitfire R6767. 92 Squadron Biggin Hill Fl/Sgt C. Sydney unhurt. (Returned to base with damage to wing after combat with Bf109s) 1220hrs: Maidstone. Hurricane P3865. 73 Squadron Debden P/O R.A. Marchand killed. (Crashed into farm at Teynham after being shot down by Bf109s) 1225hrs: London. Hurricane L1913. 504 Squadron Hendon F/O M.E.A. Royce unhurt. (Returned to base with oil cooler problem after combat action) 1230hrs: Thames Estuary. Hurricane P3642. 257 Squadron Debden P/O C.F.A. Capon unhurt. (Made forced landing at Croydon after combat action) 1230hrs: London. Spitfire R6690. 609 Squadron Warmwell P/O G.N. Gaunt killed. (Crashed in flames near Kenley after being hit by gunfire from Bf110) 1230hrs: London. Hurricane N2599. 46 Squadron North Weald Sgt C.A.L. Hurry unhurt. (Returned to base with damage to mainplane) 1230hrs: Thurrock Essex. Spitfire P9324. 41 Squadron Hornchurch P/O G.A. Langley killed. (Crashed into building after being shot down by Bf109s) 1230hrs: Middle Wallop. Spitfire K9997. 609 Squadron Warmwell P/O E.Q. Tobin unhurt. (Crashed into airfield truck on landing approach) 1235hrs: Thames Estuary. Hurricane P3620. 257 Squadron Debden Fl/Lt P.M. Brothers unhurt. (Landed at Biggin Hill for safety check with damage sustained in combat) 1235hrs: Ashford. Hurricane V7433. 501 Squadron Kenley S/L H.A.V. Hogan unhurt. (Damaged in cooling system after combat with Bf109s. Made forced landing) 1245hrs: London. Hurricane V6576. 242 Squadron Coltishall Fl/Lt G.E. Ball unhurt. (Made forced landing with damaged aircraft after combat action) 1245hrs: Ashford. Hurricane P2760. 501 Squadron Kenley P/O A.E.A von den Hove d'Ertsenrijck killed. (Aircraft exploded in mid-air after hit by gunfire from Bf109) 1245hrs: Kent. Hurricane P2903. 303 Squadron Northolt P/O W. Lokuciewski leg wounds. (Returned to base after receiving damage by Bf109) 1258hrs: South London. Hurricane N2481. 504 Squadron Hendon P/O J.T. Gurteen killed. (Shot down by enemy aircraft and crashed at full throttle into residential house) 1430hrs: Marden. Hurricane L2012. 605 Squadron Croydon P/O T.P.M. Cooper-Slipper injured. (Hit by gunfire from Do17. Collided with E/A losing wing. Pilot baled out) 1430hrs: Thames Estuary. Hurricane R4087. 310 Squadron Duxford Sgt J. Hubacek slight injuries. (Baled out after aircraft was hit by Bf109 gunfire) 1435hrs: S.E. London. Hurricane V6566. 249 Squadron North Weald P/O K.T. Lofts unhurt. (Crash landed at West Malling after attacked by Bf109 while attacking He111) 1440hrs: Rye Kent. Hurricane P2884. 242 Squadron Coltishall Fl/L G. ff Powell-Sheddon slight injuries. (Shot down by Bf109 while attacking Do17 and baled out) 1445hrs: North Weald. Hurricane P2954. 302 Squadron Duxford Fl/Lt T.P. Chlopik killed. (Shot down by enemy aircraft. Baled out but died on landing) 1445hrs: Thames Estuary. Hurricane R4085. 310 Squadron Duxford P/O A. Hess unhurt. (Shot down in flames by enemy aircraft and pilot baled out safely) 1445hrs: S.E. London. Hurricane N2705. 504 Squadron Hendon F/O M. Jebb died of injuries 19.9.40. (Crashed at Dartford after combat with enemy aircraft) 1445hrs: South of London. Hurricane L1973. 1 RCAF Squadron Northolt F/O A. Yuile wounded. (Returned to base with severe damage after combat with He111 and poss Bf109s) 1450hrs: Ashford. Spitfire R6606. 92 Squadron Biggin Hill P/O R.H. Holland slight injuries. (Injuries sustained on landing after baling out of damaged aircraft) 1450hrs: S of London. Spitfire II P7303. 611 Squadron Digby F/O T.D. Williams unhurt. (Returned to base with severe damage after combat with He111) 1500hrs: Dartford. Hurricane P3939. 303 Squadron Northolt Sgt T. Andruszkow unhurt. (Baled out after being hit by gunfire from Bf109) 1500hrs: Ashford. Spitfire P9513. 92 Squadron Biggin Hill P/O A.C. Bartley unhurt. (Returned to base with damage after combat with Do17) 1500hrs: Over Channel. Spitfire R6991. 19 Squadron Duxford Sub/Lt A.G. Blake unhurt. (Made forced landing in Kent after combat action) 1500hrs: Maidstone. Hurricane P3515. 242 Squadron Coltishall Sub/Lt R.J. Cork unhurt. (Made landing at Rochford. Damage to cockpit and wings in combat with Bf109) 1500hrs: North Kent. Hurricane R2685. 303 Squadron Northolt P/O M. Feric unhurt. (Returned to base after aircraft damaged by gunfire from Bf109s) 1500hrs: North Kent. Hurricane V7465. 303 Squadron Northolt S/L R.G. Kellett unhurt. (Returned to base with damaged aircraft after action with Bf109s) 1500hrs: Hawkhurst. Hurricane P3113. 213 Squadron Tangmere Sgt R.T. Llewellyn badly wounded. (Shot down in combat with Bf110s and baled out) 1500hrs: Kenley. Hurricane P2836. 238 Squadron Middle Wallop Sgt L. Pidd killed. (Baled out after being shot down by enemy aircraft but was dead on landing) 1500hrs: Kenley. Hurricane L2089. 238 Squadron Middle Wallop P/O V.C. Simmonds unhurt. (Returned to base with damage to aircraft tailplane after combat) 1500hrs: Off Gravesend. Hurricane V6673. 303 Squadron Northolt Sgt M. Wajciechowski unhurt. (Returned to base after aircraft damaged by gunfire from Bf109s) 1505hrs: West Malling. Hurricane P3920. 238 Squadron Middle Wallop Fl/Lt M.V. Blake unhurt. (Aircraft damaged in combat and had to make a forced landing) 1505hrs: Gravesend. Hurricane P3577. 303 Squadron Northolt Sgt M. Brzezowski Listed as missing. (Believed crashed in Estuary after combat with Bf109s) 1505hrs: North Weald. Hurricane P3935. 302 Squadron Duxford Sgt J. Kowalski unhurt. (Aircraft damaged by enemy aircraft and returned to base) 1505hrs: Kingswood Kent. Spitfire X4324. 603 Squadron Hornchurch F/O A.P. Pease killed. (Shot down by unknown enemy aircraft. Pilot did not bale out) 1505hrs: Over Channel. Spitfire X4070. 19 Squadron Duxford Sgt J.A. Potter taken POW. (Ditched damage aircraft off French coast and captured by German military) 1505hrs: Gravesend. Hurricane V6684. 303 Squadron Northolt F/O W. Urbanowicz unhurt. (Returned to base after aircraft damaged by gunfire from Bf109s) 1505hrs: Gravesend. Hurricane L2099. 303 Squadron Northolt F/O W. Zak unhurt. (Returned to base after aircraft damaged by gunfire from Bf109s) 1510hrs: Kenley. Hurricane P3462. 238 Squadron Middle Wallop F/O C.T. Davis unhurt. (Managed to return to base with damaged aircraft) 1510hrs: Kent. Spitfire R7019. 603 Squadron Hornchurch S/L G.L. Denholm unhurt. (Hit by gunfire from Do17. Baled out of damaged aircraft) 1510hrs: Rye Sussex. Spitfire R6922. 609 Squadron Warmwell F/O J.D. Dundas unhurt. (Returned to base with severe damage after combat with Do17) 1510hrs: Over Channel. Spitfire P9431. 19 Squadron Duxford Sgt H.A.C. Roden slight injuries. (Crash landed after combat with Bf109) 1515hrs: Appledore. Hurricane V6688. 607 Squadron Tangmere P/O P.J.T. Stephenson injured. (Collided with E/A after attack on Do17. Pilot baled out) 1520hrs: Beachy Head. Spitfire X4412. 602 Squadron Westhampnett Sgt C.F. Babbage unhurt. (Made forced landing at Shoreham with damage by gunfire from Do17) 1530hrs: Over Channel. Hurricane V6698. 253 Squadron Kenley P/O A.R.H. Barton unhurt. (Damaged in combat with Do215s. Forced landing at Hawkinge) 1635hrs: Kenley. Hurricane P3833. 238 Squadron Middle Wallop P/O A.R. Covington unhurt. (Exhausted fuel tank and made forced landing near East Grinstead) Unknown time: Boscombe Down. Hurricane P3660. 56 Squadron Boscombe Down Sgt T.R. Tweed killed. (Failed to come out of spin during dog fight practice over base)
15 SEPTEMBER 1940 A week after their change of tactics, the Germans launched another massive assault on 15 September, which they believed would finally shatter Fighter Command’s resistance and open the way for a successful invasion. However, since 7 September Britain's defences had recovered, fighter production continued and operational pilot strength was the highest it had been since the start of the Battle of Britain. The German offensive came in two distinct waves, giving British aircraft time to refuel and rearm. Also, the usual diversionary manoeuvres were notemployed so the British were able to deploy as many as 17 squadrons - in good positions - to meet the threat. German bomber formations weresmashed, making accurate bombing impossible. Although bombs were dropped on London, Portland and Southampton, little damage was done. Some of the fighting in the skies was visible from the ground and thisphotograph shows how closely thedogfights between the RAF and theLuftwaffe were followed during the battle. It was a day of heavy and sustained fighting and the Germans suffered their highest losses since 18 August. It was obvious to both sides that German tactics had failed and the Luftwaffe had notgained the air supremacy they needed for an invasion. Fighting continued foranother few weeks, but the action on 15 September was seen as an overwhelming and decisive defeat for the Luftwaffe. For this reason, this date is celebrated in theUnited Kingdom as Battle of Britain Day.