So it Began.....Their Finest Hour

3 Sqd, Castletown
Hurricane P3260.
Crashed attempting slow roll during AA co-op exercise. F/O G.F. McAvity died of injuries. Aircraft a write off.

Aircraft lost/damaged (repairable):

4 Hurricanes
1 Spitfire

0 in Combat - 5 MF/Accident

8/StG77
Ju 87B (5617). Crashed at Occagnes due to mid air collision during routine domestic flight. Two NCOs killed. Aircraft a write off.

Aircraft lost/damaged (repairable):

2 Do 17
1 He 111
3 Ju 88
3 Ju 87

 

Weather: Mainly cloudy in most districts.
Day: Fighter-bomber raids on London and the south-east.
Night: Heavy attacks on London and industrial targets in the Midlands


Enemy action by day

There were five main attacks during the day, all in South East England, with some penetration to London. The bulk, if not all, of the enemy aircraft engaged would appear to have been fighters and fighter-bombers.

Patrols were maintained in the Channel and Straits, and several reconnaissance flights were made.

Reports so far received indicate that our fighters destroyed seven enemy aircraft, plus five probable and six damaged. Our casualties were three aircraft (pilots safe).

Main Attacks

At 0935 hours, a raid of 20+ aircraft from Cap Gris Nez flew over Biggin Hill and Kenley to Central London and Harrow, and out again over Dover at 1035 hours. Eight Squadrons were despatched to intercept.

At 1100 hours, 50+ aircraft crossed the coast at Folkestone, flew to Maidstone and Biggin Hill and out again on a reciprocal course at 1140 hours. At the same time 30+ flew in at Lympne, on to Biggin Hill and Croydon and out again over the South Eastern route. Again eight Squadrons took off to intercept.

At 1315 hours, raids totalling 45+ aircraft came in at Dover and flew across Kent to South London. The raids split into two parts, one from South of Hornchurch going out by the Estuary and North Foreland, and the other over Kent and Dungeness, at 1350 hours.

While the latter attack was in progress further enemy aircraft were massing in the Straits, and at 1420 hours a wave of 50+ made landfall at Dover and headed for Maidstone and South East London. The attack was split up, part flying from Biggin Hill and out at Dungeness at 1450 hours, the remainder veering to Hornchurch and out by the Thames Estuary at 1445 hours.

A second wave of 40+ at 1430 hours flew behind the North Foreland into the Estuary, but did not penetrate inland and left by the same route at 1440 hours.

At 1500 hours, a raid plotted as 50+ came in near Dungeness and fanned out over Kent and the Estuary in five sections, the last finally leaving the country at 1600 hours.

Patrols

Patrols were plotted in the Channel and the Straits of Dover from 0730 hours to 0900 hours. Between 0910 and 1029 hours three small groups crossed the coast, two at Dungeness and one at Folkestone, but penetrated only a few miles inland. At 1100 hours, 6+ enemy aircraft flew in at Hastings and out at Dungeness and 3+ flew parallel with the coast from Beachy Head to Shoreham. From 1145 hours, when shipping off Dover was visited, Channel patrols were almost continuously maintained until 1730 hours.

Reconnaissances

At 0630 hours a single enemy aircraft from Le Havre flew North over the Isle of Wight, Bristol and onwards over Sealand and out into the Irish Sea. It made landfall again at Kendal turned South over Lancashire and Shrewsbury and back to Le Havre. During the morning reconnaissances were made in the North Sea to a point 60 miles East of Spurn Head. During the afternoon a single raider was plotted from 100 miles East of the Firth of Forth over the Coast into West Perthshire and out over Kinnairds Head. This aircraft is reported to have attacked one of our trainers south of Wick. Enemy reconnaissance aircraft were also active off East Anglia, Portland and the Dutch coast.
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Pilot Officer MAURICE DAVID GREEN

78363, 248 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died
on 20 October 1940

Remembered with honour
RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
P/O M.D.Green was with No 248 Squadron during the Battle of Britain flying in Blenheim's. On the 20th of October 1940 he was on a recce sortie off the Norwegian coast flying in Blenheim IVf (L9453) when he was shot down and killed. The other members of the crew were S.R.Gane & N.J.Stocks.

 

Sergeant NORMAN JAMES STOCKS

552636, 248 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died
on 20 October 1940

Remembered with honour
RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
Sgt. N.J.Stocks was with No 248 Squadron during the Battle of Britain flying in Blenheim's. On the 20th of October 1940 he was on a recce sortie off the Norwegian coast flying in Blenheim IVf (L9453) when he was shot down and killed. The other members of the crew were S.R.Gane & M.D.Green .

 

74 Sqd, Biggin Hill
Spitfire II P7370.
Shot down at Coxheath in combat with enemy fighters over Maidstone 2.55pm. Sgt T.B. Kirk baled out severely wounded and admitted to Preston Hall Hospital Maidstone. Died of wounds 22/7/41. Aircraft a write off.

Aircraft lost/damaged (repairable):

3 Hurricanes
7 Spitfires
2 Blenheims

10 in Combat - 2 Unknown

3/LG2
Me 109E-7 (2059). Shot down by F/O Mungo-Park 74 Sqd during fighter bomber attack on London. Crashed on Chapel Farm, Lenham Heath 2.00pm. Uffz Mairl baled out but parachute caught fire. Aircraft a write off.

Aircraft lost/damaged (repairable):

7 Ju 88
1 Ju W 34
9 Me 109
1 Me 110
4 He 111

 

Weather: Mainly cloudy with fog and intermittent rain. Poor visibility.
Day: Sporadic raids on London, Liverpool and the West Country.
Night: London, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Birmingham and Liverpool bombed.
Enemy action by day

Enemy activity was on a small scale. During the morning and early afternoon a series of raids, mostly of single aircraft, approached the London area. A few raids were also plotted to the Midlands and Liverpool. Many of our aerodromes were unserviceable early owing to weather conditions, but fighters were able to take off from Kenley, Biggin Hill, Tangmere and Speke after 1100 hours. Low clouds made interception difficult.

Our fighters destroyed one enemy, plus three damaged. Harwich AA destroyed one. We suffered no loss.

South East

From 0700 to 1100 hours about eight single aircraft entered the triangle North Foreland - Hornchurch - Beachy Head, the majority flying to the Estuary. One crossed South and West London.

Between 1100 and 1400 hours activity increased, approximately 60 raiders flying from between Calais and Le Havre northwards to London, a few continuing on to Bedford, Northampton, Duxford and Cambridge.

After 1500 hours activity decreased and only a few raids were plotted in the Straits. Two flew to the Kenley-Biggin Hill districts.

South and West

In the morning two raids entered the Liverpool area, one of which flew on to Blackburn and returned over Derby. Several single aircraft entered the Midlands.

In the afternoon one enemy aircraft flew over Portsmouth to Gloucester then turned South and was destroyed near Old Sarum.

Later on occasional raid was plotted in the Bristol Channel-South Wales area.
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Weather: Widespread fog in the south, clearing to rain later.
Day: Quiet morning and afternoon.
Night: London, Coventry and Liverpool attacked.
Enemy action by day

Enemy activity was confined principally to limited coastal reconnaissances in the forenoon, with slightly increased activity later in the day, due to better weather conditions. It culminated in two fighter sweeps, one over Kent and the other toward South-East London and the Estuary.

Inter-communication irregularities, referred to in yesterday's report, continued to affect the reports of plottings over the eastern half of the South Coast. Our fighters destroyed three enemy fighters, plus one damaged. We lost six aircraft but only four pilots.

Main Attacks

At 1425 hours a formation of 30 enemy aircraft crossed the coast at Dungeness and flew towards Redhill and Kenley, where it circled. Three other raids totalling 40 remained in the Straits: of these 9 aircraft eventually flew to North Foreland and Hornchurch passing over two convoys. Both formations turned South and the area was clear by 1520 hours.

At 1615 hours one raid of 18 aircraft again made a landfall at Dungeness while 4 other raids amounting to 60+ aircraft remained in mid-Channel. Those crossing the coast pursued a course for Hornchurch finally turning South to Biggin Hill, re-crossing the Coast at about 1655 hours.

Eight fighter squadrons were despatched to meet these attacks.

Reconnaissances

North East and East Coast

Reconnaissances by single aircraft were made in the morning off Berwick and the Wash, the latter flying inland towards Wittering.

South East Coast

Up to 1230 hours some 30 tracks were plotted round North Foreland to Beachy Head. In one case a Dornier flew low inland and over Manston.

Interceptions were much hampered owing to fog and low cloud. Enemy patrols continued in the afternoon, two penetrating inland, one towards Redhill and one towards Northolt.

Between 1700 and 1730 hours considerable activity developed in the Straits by patrols of from 2 to 6 aircraft but no attack or penetration inland was made.

South and West Coasts

A few raids were tracked off the South Coast, while others were plotted off Lands End and Cardigan Bay. Single aircraft also appeared in the North West and in the Midlands.
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Flying Officer PETER CAPE BEAUCHAMP ST. JOHN

40320, 74 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died age 23
on 22 October 1940
Son of Robert Henry Beauchamp St. John and Edith Mary St. John, of Notting Hill, London.
Remembered with honour
AMERSHAM CONSECRATED CEMETERY

F/O Peter Cape Beauchamp St John joined No 74 Squadron on the 7th of May 1940 from No 501 Squadron. He was K.I.A. on the 22nd of October 1940. His Spitfire II (P7431) was shot down by a Bf 109 over South Nutfield, Surrey at 15:30hrs.

Sa-pilots

 

266 Sqd, Wittering
Spitfire X4265.
Landed Stradishall to refuel and crashed on take off 12.50pm. Reason unknown. P/O W.S. Williams killed. Aircraft a write off.

Aircraft lost/damaged (repairable):

2 Hurricanes
1 Spitfire

0 in Combat - 3 Unknown/Accident

I/KG51
Ju 88A-5 (8116). Shot down by 609 Sqd during bombing sortie over England. Crashed and burned out at Manor Farm Field, Black Bush, Milford on Sea 1.47pm. Oblt Fabian, Uffz Wilhelm, Uffz Scholz and Gefr Stadelbauer all killed. Aircraft 9K+BH a write off.

Aircraft lost/damaged (repairable):

1 Ju W34
1 Bu 131
1 Fw 58
4 Ju 88
2 Me 110
4 He 111
1 Do 17

 

257 Sqd, North Weald
Hurricane V6851.
Shot down in combat with 109s over Folkstone. Crashed and burned out at Moat Farm, Shadoxhurst 4.50pm. Sgt R.H.B Fraser killed. Aircraft a write off.

Aircraft lost/damaged (repairable):

6 Hurricanes
2 Spitfires

6 in Combat - 1 MF

2/JG26
Me 109E-4 (1124). shot down by F/O Coke of 257 Sqd in combat over the Channel 4.30pm. Broke up in mid-air, bulk of aircraft crashed in the sea off Littlestone Golf Links. Uffz Arp killed. Aircraft 10+ lost.

Aircraft lost/damaged (repairable):

1 Do 17
7 Me 109
1 Ju 52
4 He 111
5 Ju 88
1 Fw 200

 

Weather: Low cloud and drizzle. Visibility poor.
Day: Mainly reconnaissance.
Night: Attacks on London and Glasgow. Minelaying off the Yorkshire coast.
Enemy action by day

Enemy activity was on a small scale, no raids being reported between 0600 and 1200 hours. All those plotted during the day, except one, appear to have been made by single aircraft. Our fighters damaged one enemy aircraft, but themselves suffered no loss.

Reconnaissances

South East

At 1240 hours an aircraft from Calais flew from Dover to Dungeness and Hastings, where it turned North and crossed the Inner Artillery Zone. This aircraft is reported to have attacked the Stanmore before returning across the IAZ and going across Kent. At 1245 a reconnaissance was flown off the North Foreland.

At 1323 hours a raid from Holland came into the Estuary over a convoy off Clacton, circled Harwich for ten minutes and returned to the Scheldt; this was followed at 1331 hours by another from Holland into the Estuary, over two convoys North West of Herne Bay and then to South East London and back to the Scheldt.

Between 1424 and 1522 hours a reconnaissance was made from the South of Orfordness to Luton, North of North Weald and Clacton.

At 1522 hours an unidentified aircraft crossed the coast between Southwold and Orfordness and flew to Peterborough, Grantham, Wittering, Duxford and Bury St Edmunds and faded North of Martlesham.

At 1547 hours a raid flew into the Estuary as far as Hornchurch.

At 1610 hours an aircraft from the Scheldt flew over a convoy in the Estuary and then via the Blackwater to Hornchurch, Gravesend and Rochester and back to Holland.

Between 1630 and 1700 hours two aircraft crossed the coast at Beachy Head but did not penetrate far inland. At 1700 hours an unidentified aircraft was off Southwold and a single enemy aircraft entered the Estuary and flew to Hornchurch, round the London area and out over Sheppey.

Between 1700 and 1800 hours a reconnaissance was made from the Dutch Coast to the Mouth of the Estuary.

South and West

At 1210 hours a single enemy crossed the coast near St Alban's Head, passed near Swindon and turned South to the Isle of Wight and Le Havre.

Between 1359 and 1440 hours a raid from the East of Cherbourg passed between two convoys off Portsmouth but did not cross the coast.

At 1536 hours a reconnaissance from the Caen areas flew over Portsmouth and Southampton.
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600 Sqd, Catterick
Blenheim L1272.
Crashed into hillside at Kirkby Malzeard, Yorks, during practice flight through cloud 10.55am. P/O P.R.S Hurst killed. Aircraft BQ-X a write off.

Aircraft lost/damaged (repairable):

1 Spitfire
1 Blenheim

0 in Combat - 2 Accident

III/KG77
Ju 88A-1 (3151). Crashed at Neuilly Hospital following operations over the Channel. Exact circumstances not recorded. Fw Kissel killed. Two NCOs wounded. Aircraft a write off.

Aircraft lost/damaged (repairable):

1 He 111
1 Me 109
1 Do 17
1 Ju 52
3 Ju 88

 

Home Security Reports

General Summary
Date: 23rd October 1940
During the day enemy aircraft activity was on a very small scale and was confined to a few isolated raids by single aircraft.
Night activity commences at 1830 hours and was much less severe than for some long time. London appearing to be the main objective.
Detailed Summary
RAF Stations 23rd October 1940
Kemble: An attack was made at 2100 hours but there was only negligible damage to one hangar.
Fires - Nights of 22nd/23rd and 23rd/24th October 1940
The number of fires reported during the last two nights in the London Region showed a considerable decrease and only one incident was serious, namely a 30 pump fire which was started at Messrs Whiteleys on the night of 22nd/23rd but was under control soon after midnight.
A fire occurred at the saw mills belonging to Messrs Jones and Co Larbert, Stirlingshire, on the same night, causing damage estimated at £20,000 and production is reduced by 80 per cent.
Elsewhere
St Pancras: An attack was made at 1847 hours on the 23rd of October, causing considerable damage, including a large crater on the London main line, 2 holes through a bridge; also property and rolling stock suffered severely.
National Gallery: A delayed action bomb exploded at 1340 hours, causing extensive structural damage.
King George V Dock: An attack was made at about midnight and Shed No 14 was hit but details of damage are not yet available.
The Battle of Britain - Home Page

 

Weather: Overcast and hazy in the Channel, clearing to a starlit night.
Day: Very quiet.
Night: Raids on London and Birmingham.


Enemy action by day

During the morning, enemy activity was slight being limited to a few reconnaissances; later in the day reconnaissance activity was on a somewhat increased scale.

Our fighters destroyed two enemy aircraft (plus two damaged). Our casualties were nil.

East

At about 1100 hours, one enemy aircraft flew West over Southwold and penetrated to within 20 miles of Coventry before turning back. This aircraft was intercepted and destroyed near St Neots.

South East

Between 0700 and 1100 hours, five single aircraft were plotted in the Channel, one in the Estuary and one flew from Deal to Kenley, Farnborough, Middle Wallop and Southampton. Later a few aircraft penetrated to the Maidstone areas, two to Kenley and Northolt and one to Debden and Duxford. During the morning, a Do17 was destroyed between Dover and Ostend and a Me109 damaged near Ashford.

South and West

In the morning, one enemy aircraft reconnoitred the coast from Portland to Beachy Head and one was reported in Cardigan Bay. In the afternoon, single aircraft flew inland to Taunton and Weston-Super-Mare, one to Guildford and one from Portsmouth to Northolt, Reading and Leighton Buzzard.
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87 Sqd, Exeter
Hurricane P3404.
Collided with P/O Cock during routine patrol. Crashed and burned out. P/O D.T. Jay baled out but believed to have hit the tailplane as he did not pull his ripcord and killed. Aircraft a write off.

Aircraft lost/damaged (repairable):

6 Hurricane
1 Defiant

0 in Combat - 7 Accident/MF/Collision

8/JG27
Me 109E-4 (1558). Suffered engine failure during combat mission and crashed off Cap Gris-Nez. Uffz Linke missing. Aircraft 2+ lost.

Aircraft lost/damaged (repairable):

1 Hs 126
1 Do 215
3 He 111
4 Me 109
3 Ju 88
1 Ju 87
3 Do 17

 

Weather: Fair but overcast.
Day: Fighter-bomber raids on Kent and London.
Night: Italian Air Force carries out an attack on Harwich.
Enemy action by day

Considerably greater activity took place than of late. Reconnaissances were made from the Orkneys Southwards to the Estuary, thence along the South Coast to Lands End.

Four enemy fighter sweeps were made in Kent and these developed towards London. During the day's operations 14 enemy aircraft were destroyed (plus 12 probable and 16 damaged). Our losses amounted to 10 aircraft and 3 pilots.

Main Attacks

First Attack 0845 Hours

50 enemy aircraft crossed the coast at Dungeness and flying towards Maidstone and Biggin Hill split into five sections. A sweep followed over South East London to Kenley. While this attack was in progress two other formations flew inland - one of 12 aircraft at Dungeness and the other of 40 aircraft at Hastings. At 0920 hours, the raids, increasing to 65 aircraft concentrated towards Biggin Hill but a split of some 20 aircraft flew to Central London. At 0930 hours, these enemy aircraft had turned South but at 0925 hours, two further raids numbering 90+ aircraft were plotted in at Dungeness. The leading raid of 50 aircraft flew towards Biggin Hill and penetrated to Central London at 0955 hours. The second formation of 40 aircraft remained in the Maidstone area. By 1010 hours, the attacks had spent themselves. During the period, patrols estimated at 100 aircraft were maintained in the Channel.

Second Attack 1154 Hours

Enemy aircraft numbering 100 crossed the coast near Dover at 20,000 feet and flew on a Westerly course past Maidstone. The formation split into many small sections and covered the South East from Hornchurch to South of Biggin Hill. By 1215 hours, the attack had become still further split up and spread from Gravesend to Hastings. Three Squadrons from 12 Group which we in the air at Duxford were sent to the Maidstone patrol line.

Third Attack 1305 Hours

50 enemy aircraft flew inland at Dungeness followed by 20 others. A split remained near Dover while the main body flew to Central London at 1330 hours splitting into small formations en route. The IAZ was clear at 1345 hours.

Fourth Attack 1515 Hours

Enemy aircraft which had been massing from 1440 hours and flying in gradually extended circles, flew inland following the usual route. Of the 60 aircraft, 30 penetrated Central London. While this attack was in progress two formations - each of 20 aircraft - crossed the coast at Beachy Head and flew in, turned near Kenley and spread out over an area between Tangmere and Maidstone. The enemy aircraft were returning to France in small sections by 1540 hours.

Reconnaissance

At about 0800 hours patrols were active in the Channel and Estuary.

Between 1040 and 1200 hours, these had increased in the South Eastern area and had extended to flights off the Cornish Coast. Central London was reconnoitred twice by single aircraft.

At 1400 hours further reconnaissances were being made over Lands End, one was made over Pembrey and three plottings were recorded in the Orkneys.

At 1600 hours hostile reconnaissances were again reported over the Orkneys, South of Inverness, off Aberdeen and over East Anglia with continuous activity around Lands End.

Attack on Shipping

At 1740 hours some 20 enemy aircraft in two formations were in the vicinity of a convoy off North Foreland and at 1744 hours the convoy was attacked. In response to a 'help' message, four Squadrons were despatched but no interception appears to have been made.
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Spitfire P7350 (Mk IIa)
P/O L.Martel 25/10/1940
Spitfire damaged,pilot injured.



P7350 is the oldest airworthy Spitfire in the world and the only Spitfire still flying today to have actually fought in the Battle of Britain. She is believed to be the 14th aircraft of 11,989 built at the Castle Bromwich ‘shadow’ factory, Birmingham. Entering service in the August of 1940, she flew in the Battle of Britain serving with 266 Squadron and 603 (City of Edinburgh) AuxAF Squadron. Whilst serving with the latter at Hornchurch, on or about 25 October 1940, she was involved in a combat with Bf 109s and forced to crash land. She was quickly repaired at No 1 Civilian Repair Unit, Cowley, and flew again on 15 November, only 3 weeks after the crash landing; repaired bullet holes can still be seen on her port wing. She subsequently served operationally with 616 and 64 Squadrons. After April 1942 she was relegated to support duties serving with the Central Gunnery School and 57 OTU and ending her operational career with 19 MU. During the War, ‘P7’ suffered three ‘Cat B’ flying accidents (at Tangmere, Hornchurch and Sutton Bridge)

Welcome to the BBMF - Spitfire P7350 (Mk IIa)

 

F/Lt F.Jastrzebski from Poland of No 302 Squadron was K.I.A. on the 25th of October 1940. He failed to return after a patrol over the Channel in his Hurricane I (V7593).


Battle of Britain London Monument - F/Lt. F Jastrzebski

 

601 Sqd, Exeter
Hurricane V6917.
Collided with Sgt Mills-Smith during section training flight 3.00pm. Crashed in sea off Exmouth. Sgt L.D. May missing. Aircraft lost.

Aircraft lost/damaged (repairable):

7 Spitfires
18 Hurricanes

12 in Combat - 13 Accident/MF/Collision

4(F)/14
Do 17P (4158). Crashed and burned out at Plumetot following long range reconnaissance sortie. Lt Hoecker and tow NCOs killed. Aircraft a write off.

Aircraft lost/damaged (repairable):

1 Ju 52
3 Do 17
1 Hs 126
2 Me 110
21 Me 109
4 He 111
6 Ju 88

 

Sergeant LEONARD DAWSON MAY

748428, 601 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died
on 25 October 1940

Remembered with honour
RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL