So it Began.....Their Finest Hour

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by Gage, Jul 10, 2011.

  1. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Day 113 – 30th October 1940
    October 30, 1 Squadron, 85 Squadron, October 1940


    Weather: drizzle

    FIGHTER COMMAND SERVICEABLE AIRCRAFT AS AT 0900 HOURS:
    • Blenheim – 39
    • Spitfire – 213
    • Hurricane – 391
    • Defiant – 11
    • Gladiator – 8
    • Total – 662
    Luftflotte 3 joined the action sending a force of over 100 aircraft consisting of fighters and fighter bombers which reached London and bombed a number of targets. However, Kent and Sussex were the main targets that day. The Armstrong Siddeley factory was also hit. North Weald was attacked in the early evening.
    The tally that day was 8 German aircraft lost against 5 RAF fighters destroyed.
    There were few attacks that night due to the bad weather.
    85 Squadron Operational Record Book – 30 October
    Night flying training. Sqdn Ldr Townsend and Flt Lt Marshall carried out night patrols.
    1 Squadron Operational Record Book -30 October
    Blue Section (B Flight) took part in an Army co-operation movement. This section was ordered to scramble base. Personnel: POs G.E. Goodman, R.G. Lewis and Sgt V. Jicha. E/a sighted. Goodman mistook it for a Blenheim. Lewis and Jicha recognised it as a Junkers 88 and shot it down. Sgt J. Dygryn crashed when landing, plane written off.
    Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 30th October 1940):
    * Enemy: 9 confirmed, 8 probable, 7 damaged
    * Own: 5 aircraft with 4 pilots killed or missing.
    http://battleofbritainblog.com/2010/10/30/day-113-%E2%80%93-30th-october-1940/
     
  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Battle of Britain - Phase One
    26th June to 16th July
    Scattered and limited day and night attacks and mine-laying sorties, directed mainly against ports and shipping and towns with aircraft factories.
    Battle of Britain - Phase Two
    17th July to 12th August
    Increasing and larger daylight attacks against shipping in the English Channel, ports along the South and East coasts and some coastal airfields, with increased night attacks against the West, Midlands, and East Coast, RAF facilities and the aircraft industry.
    Battle of Britain - Phase Three
    13th August - 6th September
    Large-scale daylight attacks against RAF airfields in South-East England, with the object of exhausting the RAF' ability to provide a defence. Night attacks continued.
    Battle of Britain - Phase Four
    7th September - 2nd October
    Large-scale day and night attacks against London.
    Battle of Britain - Phase Five
    3nd October - 31st October
    Smaller scale daylight fighter-bombers attacks while large-scale night attacks continued mainly against London.
    This was also the start of what came to be called the 'Blitz' on the capital and against other cities and towns, which lasted until May 1941.
    http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/online-exhibitions/history-of-the-battle-of-britain/introduction-to-the-phases-of-the-battle-of-britain.aspx
     
  3. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Day 114 – 31st October 1940
    October 31, 73 Squadron, October 1940


    Weather: cloud and widespread drizzle

    FIGHTER COMMAND SERVICEABLE AIRCRAFT AS AT 0900 HOURS:
    • Blenheim – 40
    • Spitfire – 227
    • Hurricane – 399
    • Defiant – 10
    • Gladiator – 8
    • Total – 684
    It seemed that the weather was putting an end to the battle by day. This was in fact, officially, the last day of the Battle of Britain. The effort put in by the enemy that day seemed half-hearted. However, October as whole was far from representing a gradual decline in enemy activity. On the contrary, it had put RAF fighters to perhaps the sternest test of the whole encounter. The switch by the Luftwaffe to attacks by fighters and fighter bombers and its abandonment of the twin-engined bomber as its main weapon increased the odds against the RAF. Furthermore, the tactic of sending many of the attacks at what was in those days extreme altitude put a serious extra strain on RAF pilots. All this had resulted in many more fighter-to-fighter combats. The physical strain on pilots of this new form of combat was beginning to tell on RAF capacity to hold their own. The Battle had also taken its toll on the civilian population with the total casualties from the bombing in October being 6,334 civilians killed and 8,695 seriously injured.
    However, the RAF kept up its ability to absorb the lessons of every new tactic employed by the Luftwaffe. Whatever the Luftwaffe threw at them, RAF pilots always rose to the challenge. They were doing so on the last day of the Battle as they had done on the first day on July 10th.
    73 Squadron Operational Record Book -31 October
    Weather terrible – impossible to do any flying, everyone getting ‘brassed off’ with the mud and general bad conditions.
    Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 31st October 1940):
    * Enemy: 0 confirmed, 0 probable, 0 damaged
    * Own: Nil.
    http://battleofbritainblog.com/2010/10/31/day-114-%E2%80%93-october-31st-1940/
     
  4. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    By 31 October the British were confident that there would be no invasion in 1940. The Blitz, however, continued unabated and would eventually result in nearly 40,000 civilian deaths. Nevertheless the battle for control of the air over Britain had been decisively won by the RAF, and in particular Air Marshals Dowding and Park.
    http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/thebattleofbritain.cfm
     
  5. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Hi Clive,

    Great job with all of this info - Well done.

    Forgot to post this yesterday as I see that the RAF Campaign Diary (link) for casualties above is not working.

    Another Australian in the RAF killed on this day 30/10/1940 with 249sq - He was also another South Australian.

    He was an "ACE" with 11 victories.

    http://australiansinthebattleofbritain.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/australians-in-battle-of-britain-30.html


    Cheers

    Geoff
     
  6. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery


    10th July 1940: Luftwaffe launches Battle of Britain
    The German Air Force, the Luftwaffe, has mounted a series of attacks on shipping convoys off the south-east coast of England.
    It is the first major assault by the Luftwaffe and is being seen as what the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, dubbed in a speech three weeks ago as the beginning of the "Battle of Britain".
    Although heavily outnumbered, the British fighter pilots put up a fierce fight and succeeded in driving off the attackers.
    The Air Ministry says they inflicted "the greatest damage on the German air force since bombing raids on this country began".
    In total the Air Ministry says 14 enemy aircraft were shot down and 23 more were severely damaged.

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG] The scramble was a hurried affair ... a large enemy formation was encountered flying up the Thames Estuary towards London [​IMG]People's War memories »
    [​IMG] Two British fighters were lost, but the pilot of one survived and is safe.

    The bombing raids began at dawn hitting airfields along the south and east coasts of England.
    But the main attacks took place offshore later in the day, when two shipping convoys were targeted. The first was at 1100 hours off Manston and at 1325 hours a large force of about 120 enemy aircraft approached a convoy between Dover and Dungeness.
    Spitfire pilots went into the attack shooting down a number of German Messerschmitts, Me110s and Me109s. Exact numbers are difficult to verify but it seems at least nine planes were shot down.
    On landing the Spitfire pilots said when they made their last attack and came round again to carry on the fight the sky was clear of German aircraft.
    Towards evening Hurricane pilots sighted nine Heinkel bombers protected by more than 50 fighters attempting to attack shipping off the east coast. The bombers were surrounded by two rings of Messerschmitts - but the Hurricanes broke through and attacked the bombers shooting down at least two.
    People watching from the south-east coast say the first sign of the attack was when a wave of about 20 German bombers with a similar number of support fighters dived out of the clouds.
    They rained bombs down on a convoy of ships, but did not hit. A second wave of bombers and fighters followed but before a second load of bombs could be released, the ships opened fire with their anti-aircraft guns.
    At this moment, a flight of Spitfires appeared and flew straight into the middle of the German formation - hitting one bomber which crashed into the sea.
    It appears the intensity of the attack took the Germans by surprise and completely destroyed their formation.
    One eye-witness told The Times newspaper: "I saw 10 machines crash into the sea, they included bombers and fighters. The range of operations was too extensive to see everything, for it was over land and sea.
    "The British fighters were fewer than the Messerschmitts sent to protect the bombers, but the superiority of our airmen and machines was most convincing."


     
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  7. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Saturday 13 July 1940


    • Weather: Early morning fog in southern England clearing by mid-morning.
    • Day: Shipping attacks off Dover and Portland.
    • Night: Minelaying in Thames Estuary.
    Enemy action by day

    During the day the enemy focussed his attention primarily on shipping and many bombs were dropped on convoys but no hits are reported. Major fighter engagements were as follows:-
    • i. Off Portland at 1430 hours.
    • ii. In the Dover area at 1730 hours.
    • iii. About 15 miles off Calais at 1800 hours.
    Attack on Shipping in Portland Area
    At 1420 hours 20 enemy aircraft attacked shipping off Portland. No 238 Squadron (Hurricanes) and No 609 Squadron (Spitfires) intercepted and shot down 3 Me110s and one Do17 confirmed and one Me110 and one Do17 unconfirmed. Our casualties - one Hurricane.
    Attack on Dover Harbour
    At about 1730 hours a mixed formation of Ju87s and Me109s attacked Dover Harbour and a convoy south of Dover. 64 Squadron (Spitfires) intercepted and shot down 2 Me109s unconfirmed. One Spitfire was slightly damaged by AA fire but landed safely. AA guns claim one Ju87 which was later seen to fall into the sea. This has not been confirmed.
    Engagement off Calais
    At about 1800 hours, 56 Squadron (Hurricanes) intercepted a mixed force of 6 Ju87s and 12 Me113s about 15 miles off Dover. In the ensuing encounter, 3 Ju87s and 2 He113s were shot down for certain and one Ju87 probable. Our casualties - 2 Hurricanes.

    South Coast

    During the early morning 2 raids approached the Isle of Wight crossing the Hampshire and Dorset coasts. In spite of heavy clouds 501 Squadron (Hurricanes) shot down a Do17 west of Southampton. At 1114 hours an He111 which appeared over Spithead was shot down by 43 Squadron (Hurricanes).

    East Coast

    During the day 8 raids were reported off the East Coast, two of which attacked convoys. No hits have been reported.

    Bombing

    Bombs were dropped in the following areas:- Dundee, Warmwell, 4 miles NE Lulworth Cove.


    By night

    Fighters were despatched to intercept a few enemy raids but no interceptions were effected. There was little enemy activity. Minelaying is suspected in the Thames Estuary and between Middlesborough and The Wash.
    Bombing
    No reports of bombing have been received. An explosion occurred at 2310 hours in High Duty Alloys Factory at Slough in which one man was killed and 45 injured (23 slightly). Cause is at present unknown.

    Patrols over France

    Nil.


    Statistics

    Casualties:
    • Enemy:
    • Fighters - 6 confirmed 3 unconfirmed
    • Bombers - 6 confirmed, 2 unconfirmed
    • Own:
    • 3 Hurricanes.
    Patrols:
    • 143 patrols despatched involving 473 aircraft.
    Balloons:
    • Flying 1091. Casualties 32.
    Aerodromes:
    • Dyce and Catterick unserviceable during the hours of darkness.
    Organisation:
    • No. 152 Squadron (Spitfire) from Acklington to Warmwell
    • No. 141 Squadron (Defiant) from Turnhouse to West Malling and is non-operational
    • No. 79 Squadron (Hurricane) from Turnhouse to Acklington
    Air Intelligence Reports
    • Increasing use is being made of armour plate both in bombers and fighters. An armoured bulkhead conforming to shape of fuselage five feet behind pilot was found on a Messerschmitt 109 which crashed at Elham (Kent). The thickness of the plate is 8mm.
    Home Security Reports
    • Period: 11th - 13th July 1940
    • General Summary
    • During the extended period under review the enemy has continued widely dispersed dropping of bombs in different parts of the country. Areas in Central and North-eastern Scotland, County Durham, Devonshire and South Wales have been affected by the attacks but no very serious damage or casualties have resulted except as reported in the previous summary.
    • Detailed Summary
    • St Eval Aerodrome suffered minor damage from HE bombs on the 12th July.
    • Bombs were dropped on the same day in a number of places in South Wales. Traffic was delayed on the main GWR line between Newport and Cardiff on account of a reported unexploded bomb which was subsequently reported to have exploded.
    • Electric cables were damaged at Greatham, approximately 4 miles North-west of Billingham.
    • Portland was raided by nine to twelve enemy aircraft but no damage or casualties were caused.
    • At Dover, several bombs were dropped in an unsuccessful attack on shipping.

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]




    http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/campaign_diaries.cfm
     
  8. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Wednesday 17 July 1940


    • Weather: Dull with occasional rain.
    • Day: Search for shipping off Scottish and east coasts.
    • Night: Targets attacked in south-west. Minelaying.
    Enemy action by day

    Weather hampered our fighters in their action against enemy air activity which was again on a reduced scale. Raids were plotted off the Scottish, East and South coasts, apparently searching for shipping. An attack was made on shipping off Dundee and trawlers were attcked off Beachy Head. One or two raids crossed the coast and bombs were dropped in Surrey, Kent, at Portland and in Ayrshire.

    South and South-West

    A number of raids apparently in search of shipping were plotted during the day and a vessel was reported attacked 13 miles from Dartmouth at 1540 hours. One raid, a Do17, crossed the coasts at 1136 hours and came inland as far as Kenley. It was intercepted and chased out to sea over Pevensey, being damaged by our fighters. This raid dropped bombs near Kenley. Two attacks were reported on trawlers off Beachy Head, and three aircraft plotted South East of this point at 1515 hours are reported to be responsible for the bombs which were dropped near Ashford and Lydd. At 1540 hours three Heinkels were reported over Portland and appeared to attack the Mere Oil Fuel Depot, dropping six bombs. Slight damage was done to a railway and cloud enabled the raiders to achieve surprise. Although our fighters encountered a Junkers 88, which they attacked, off the Isle of Wight. Two of our Hurricanes were damaged during the day and one Spitfire which was on patrol off Beachy Head is reported missing.

    East Coast

    Up to 2100 hours eight raids were plotted off the East Coast and a reconnaissance of a convoy was made although no subsequent attack on this convoy is reported. Two of the raids crossed the coast in the Humber area.

    Scotland

    Four raids were plotted off the Scottish Coast and Orkneys. One crossed from Peterhead to the west Coast and dropped bombs at Ardeer ICI factory doing little damage. Of the remainder two carried out a reconnaissance of the Orkneys at 0721 hours and were intercepted but without successful results.

    French Coast

    Tracks were frequently reported coming into or going out from the Cherbourg peninsular. These tracks were not seen any distance out to see. It seems probable that aircraft are going to and coming from an unknown destination in the west as the tracks frequently start or stop at short distances off the Cherbourg peninsular.

    By night

    At 2232 hours nine raids, which first of all proceeded towards Cherbourg, having come over the coasts of Northern France, Belgium and Holland, turned northwards heading towards south-west England. Some of the raids crossed the coast covering the Bristol Channel area. At 0026 hours a further number of raids approached South West England, some again crossing to the Bristol Channel area. Bombs are reported to have been dropped at Port Talbot, and near Swansea and near Radstock. Mine laying is suspected in the Bristol Channel and off the Plymouth coast. Between 2200 and 0235 hours some 19 raids were plotted off the east coast, of which probably seven were minelaying. None reported further north than the Wash. A few crossed the coast and bombs are reported to have been dropped at Queenborough near Rochester, Felixstowe, Harwich, Chatham, near Barking and at Gillingham. Not more than 40 in all enemy aircraft are estimated to have operated during the night.

    Statistics Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours, 17 July 1940
    • Blenheim - 67
    • Spitfire - 237
    • Hurricane - 331
    • Defiant - 20
    • Total - 659
    Casualties:
    • Enemy: Fighters - nil; Bombers - 2 unconfirmed.
    • Own: 2 Hurricanes (Nos. 145 and 615 Squadrons), 1 Spitfire (No. 64 Squadron); category unknown, pilot wounded.
    Patrols:
    • 70 patrols despatched involving 266 aircraft.
    Balloons:
    • Flying 1166. Casualties 20.
    Aerodromes:
    • Catterick unserviceable.
    Organisation:
    • No 238 Squadron from Middle Wallop to Warmwell.
    • No 32 Squadron from Biggin Hill to Hawkinge
    • No 65 Squadron from Hornchurch to Manston.
    Air Intelligence Reports
    • None.
    Home Security Reports
    • 16th/17th July 1940
    • General Summary
    • During the 17th July there was little enemy activity. Slight bomb dropping was widely dispersed but no serious damage has been reported.
    • Detailed Summary
    • Further information on 3 HE dropped at Fraserburgh is that damage was done to a small naval store and contents. Casualties at Fraserburgh and Portsoy now number 26.
    • No reports have been received of bombs dropped on aerodromes during the 17th July.
    • Near Ashford (Kent) bombs dropped demolished three houses and damaged the railway track which was, however, quickly repaired.
    • Considerable damage was done to the ICI works at Ardeer (Ayrshire) but there is no serious interference with production.

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]




    http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/campaign_diaries.cfm
     
  9. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    PEEL, CHARLES DAVID




    Rank:

    Flying Officer

    Service No:

    90199

    Date of Death:

    17/07/1940

    Regiment/Service:

    Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force)



    603 Sqdn.

    Panel Reference:

    Panel 6.

    Memorial:

    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
     

    Attached Files:

  10. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

     
  11. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    SATURDAY AUGUST 3rd 1940

    WEATHER:
    There was widespread fog over most of Southern and Eastern England and in the Midlands during the morning. Once this cleared it gave way to heavy low cloud which would be down to 3,500ft in places with restricted visibility.
    OPERATIONS IN DETAIL:
    All recorded incidents took place in the north of England and in Scotland. Bradford, Liverpool. the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh and Crewe were bombed and suffered slight damage. Because of the weather only a few enemy aircraft were detected and these were mostly over the Channel. A few raids took place over Falmouth and Swansea but generally because of the weather it was a quiet day for both sides.















    http://www.battleofbritain1940.net/0023.html
     
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  12. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Day 28 – August 6th 1940
    August 6, 2010 in 249 Squadron, 616 Squadron, August 1940


    Weather: cloudy.

    FIGHTER COMMAND SERVICEABLE AIRCRAFT AS AT 0900 HOURS:
    • Blenheim – 67
    • Spitfire – 257
    • Hurricane – 370
    • Defiant – 23
    • Total – 717
    A quieter day with minimal activity. Three Spitfires from 616 Squadron were damaged as a result of return fire from Ju88s which they were attacking off the north east coast near Flamborough. The score was one all.

    249 Squadron Operational Record Book, 6 August, Church Fenton
    During the last few days a considerable amount of practice flying has been carried out and much attention paid to beam attacks and dog fighting practice. There seems to be very little activity in the North now, but things are boiling up in the South of England and attacks are being carried out by large numbers of e/a on convoys and South Coast ports. We are all hoping to get a move South.
    William Joyce (Lord Haw-Haw) speaking on German Radio, August 6th 1940
    “I make no apology for saying again that invasion is certainly coming soon, but what I want to impress upon you is that while you must feverishly take every conceivable precaution, nothing that you or the government can do is really of the slightest use. Don’t be deceived by this lull before the storm, because, although there is still the chance of peace, Hitler is aware of the political and economic confusion in England, and is only waiting for the right moment. Then, when his moment comes, he will strike, and strike hard.”

    Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 6th August 1940):
    * Enemy: Fighter – nil; Bombers – 1 Do17 confirmed (by No 85 Squadron)
    * Own: Nil.
    http://battleofbritainblog.com/2010/08/06/day-28-august-6th-1940/
     
  13. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    THURSDAY 15th AUGUST 1940

    WEATHER:
    Cloud covered much of the south and south-east during the morning. This was to disperse before noon where a ridge of high pressure right across Britain would insure a fine and warm day.
    OPERATIONS IN DETAIL:
    Because of the fact that the weather forecast predicted poor conditions and that all operations were postponed, Göring had summoned all his top commanders for a conference at Karinhall. Albert Kesselring, Hugo Sperle, General Bruno Lorzer of Fliegerkorps II and Generalmajor Joachim Coler of Fliegerdivision XI were all included. He put it to his commanders that they were having no impact on the RAF, he wanted to know the failures that had taken place, he wanted to know why they were suffering so many casualties, he wanted the commanders to explain. "We must have bigger impact in our attacks" said Göring, "our missions must consist of more bombers, bigger formations, more escorts that will fly with greater skills than they have done before". He also made one of his greatest mistakes when he instructed his commanders that the bombing of the radar stations was having no effect on the British, they were not being destroyed and that bombing them was not going to destroy any of their aircraft.
    German High Command could not resist the break in weather conditions by mid morning, and the order went out that planned operations be commenced. At the HQ of the 2nd Flying Corps, Oberst Paul Deichmann who was Chief of Staff of II Fliegerkorps already had 1,000 fighter planes and more than 800 bombers all ready with full compliments of bombs in their bays and fuelled up just waiting for the order to commence the operation. With no word from his superiors, he decided that the opportunity was too good to miss, and took it upon himself to launch an attack.
    The planned operation was that the Ju87s of II/StG 1 and IV (St) /LG 1 loaded with 500 and 250 kilo bombs would lead out first, Dornier bombers from the 3rd Bomber Group would head out over the Channel then turn and head in the direction of Eastchurch, and the Bf110s of 2/ZG76 would head through the Dover Straits then turn inland and attack Manston once again. In the centre of all this, 100 plus Me 109s would provide cover for the formations to left and right of them.
    Radar stations all along the south coast could not help but pick up the huge formations that were heading between Lympne and Manston. There were so many aircraft heading across the Channel that many of them were not even on the radar screens, while the different formations could not be distinguished. The Luftwaffe were coming over in force, a mass of 1,120 aircraft were coming across the Channel.


    There was no doubt about the intentions of the Luftwaffe on August 15th, they would follow the path of previous missions that attacked the airfields and airfield installations of Fighter Command, but this time, by coming over in larger numbers their plan was to entice more RAF fighters into the air.http://www.battleofbritain1940.net/0026.html
     
  14. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    On Thursday, 15th August, 1940, we were to have our first big encounter with the enemy, and one considered on a par with those attacks that 11 and 12 Groups were experiencing in the south. At 12.30 pm we were going off duty for 24 hours leave when the whole squadron was called to Readiness. We heard from the Operations Room that there was a big “flap” on, that is a warning of imminent enemy action up and down the NE coast.
    We waited out at dispersal, then we were told to “Scramble” in Squadron formation-I was in a feverish state of excitement and quickly took off and climbed up to our operational height of 20,000 ready to patrol the coast. We kept receiving messages on the R/T of 40 or 50 plus “Bogeys” approaching Newcastle from the north. Although we patrolled for over half an hour we never saw a thing.
    Just as I was expecting the order to “Pancake” I heard the senior Flight Commander shout “Tally Ho!”, and “Tally Ho!” it was! There on our port side at 9,000 ft must have been 120 bombers, all with the swastika and German crosses as large as life, having the gross impertinence to cruise down Northumberland and Durham’s NE coast. These were the people who were going to bomb Newcastle and Sunderland and our friends and relations who lived there.
    I’d never seen anything like it. They were in two groups, one of about 70 and the other about 40, like two swarms of bees. There was no time to wait and we took up position and delivered a No 3 Attack in sections. As only three machines attacked a line of 20, I could not see how they could miss us. However, we executed our first attack and in spite of the fact that I thought I was being hit all over the place, it was their machines that started dropping out of the sky.
    In my excitement during the next attack I only narrowly missed one of our own machines doing a “split arse” breakaway. There couldn’t have been more than two feet between us.
    Eventually, spotting most of the enemy aircraft dropping down with only their undercarriages damaged, I chased a Heinkel and filled that poor devil with lead until first one. then the other engine stopped. I then had the sadistic satisfaction of seeing the aircraft crash into the sea. With the one I reckoned to have damaged in the first attack, they were my first bloods and I was elated, especially to later discover that the squadron had not suffered any losses.

    Just one of the amazing stories recorded by Dilip Sarkar who has collected numerous accounts of the Battle of Britain, see Few of the Many: Memories of the 1939-45 Air War.http://ww2today.com/15th-august-1940-the-luftwaffes-black-thursday
     
  15. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    [​IMG]
    The Chronology: Page-32
    Sunday September 1st 1940

    [​IMG] [​IMG]


    Up until the final days of August, the whole of Fighter Command had been under extreme pressure. Day after day, the Luftwaffe had targeted the airfields of 11 Group, the radar stations along the south coast while at night they had now turned to heavy bombing raids on the larger cities. The last few days of August, and the first days of September were to prove of great concern for both Dowding and Park. One of these concerns was the high loss of pilots. Hugh Dowding questioned Park as to why we were losing so many pilots to the German fighters when pilots had been instructed to attack the bombers. Park stated that since most of the Bf109 squadrons had been posted to the Pas de Calais, they are now double in number and are working in close company with the bombers. "Our fighters have first to break the fighter screen before they can get to the bombers.".
    Richard Hough and Dennis Richards print the quote in their book "Battle of Britain - A Jubilee History":

    For most of the phase [24 August - 6 September] the defending squadrons were flying and fighting singly. Only too often the units of combat were a British squadron of twelve aircraft at most and a German formation of twenty to forty bombers and up to 100 fighters. Some British squadron commanders attempted to contain the enemy escort with one flight, and with the other attack the bombers; but time after time there were sufficient German fighters to engage both British flights.
    The Air Defence of Great Britain Vol II-The Battle of Britain
    Figures now started to indicate that aircraft as well as pilots had been a source of concern for Fighter Command. Prior to August, many new pilots straight from OTC units were thrown into the fray will very little flying experience and definately no combat experience at all. Combat training for them was being thrown into action and most had to learn by their mistakes, but this was also to place additional pressure on the squadron commanders who had to carry them through their first operational sorties. But as many of these pilots were shot down, it also meant a loss of yet another aircraft for Fighter Command. Aircraft were being repaired as fast as they could, and aircraft production had been increasing slowly, but the fact remained, aircraft were being shot down as fast as the factories could produce them. [Document 42 ]
    Furthermore, with the constant raids on the airfields Fighter Command had to make the necessary arrangements regarding their maintenance. Without constant and ongoing repair work being done it would be so easy for an airfield top become unoperational. The whole structure of communications, defence, supplies and organization was of utmost priority. Things like damaged hangars could possibly wait until the more important tasks such as telephone lines and the rebuilding or relocation of ops rooms had been accomplished.
    When many of the service blocks had been destroyed or damaged, it was not uncommon to see many of the ground personnel going about their duties under canvas tents, even much of the cooking had been done out of doors. But some tasks could not be fully functional in some circumstances. Biggin Hill made use of a local chemists shop a couple of miles down the road, and within a period of twelve hours had converted it into a fully functional operations room.
    Later in the week Keith Park issued the following statement of which it is applicable to put here:


    Contrary to general belief and official reports, the enemy's bombing attacks by day did extensive damage to five of our forward aerodromes and also to six of our seven sector stations. There was a critical period when the damage to sector stations and our ground organization was having a serious effect on the fighting efficiency of the squadrons, who could not be given the same good technical and administrative service as previously.........The absence of many essential telephone lines, the use of scratch equipment in emergency operation rooms, and the general dislocation of ground organization, was seriously felt for about a week in the handling of squadrons by day to meet the enemy's massed attacks, which were continued without the former occasional break of a day.
    Report by Air Vice Marshal Keith Park - 6th September 1940
    When asked later about the general situation, Park simply stated "...we are holding our own...just".
    But there seemed to be something that was brewing into a storm. For some time now, Air Vice Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory of 12 Group, had been pushing for multi-squadron formations, a scheme that had been instigated by one of his squadron leaders Douglas Bader and was to become known as the "Big Wing". It was required that a number of squadrons would act as one, en masse, and that it would prove far more damaging than the present one or two squadrons that are more often than not always outnumbered. But Park was seriously against the scheme. It would mean pulling out squadrons from all important sector stations, and this would take time, time that once the enemy had been sighted they didn't have, anyway it would leave aerodromes and London without the necessary protection.
    But there was controversy, and very often there were outburst from both Keith Park and the 12 Group Commander Leigh-Mallory. Group Captain Sir Hugh Dundas tells us that Leigh-Mallory insisted in quite vocal manner that his squadrons could have been used by Park with greater and better effect. He claimed that his squadrons were being excluded from any action that was taking place within the areas where the main action was taking place. Hugh Dundas verifies this. He said that as a young Pilot Officer, that he had experience in 11 Group being stationed at Kenley, and was withdrawn to the Duxford wing after the squadron had lost quite a number of pilots. Many times, he said, we just sat there on the ground while large scale operations were taking place within 11 Group.
    He also claimed that his squadrons were being called in to assist 11 Group far too late, and more often than not the squadrons of 12 Group missed making contact with the enemy.
    Park made the claim that the reason that Leigh-Mallory's squadrons were coming in too late, was that they were taking far lo long to assemble the 'Big Wing', and further added that that was another reason that he strongly opposed it.
    This is backed up by Len Deighton (Battle of Britain), who gave an example. Park once again had asked assistance from 12 Group on August 26th, while his own squadrons were involved with German raiders. Debden airfield was at this stage unprotected and obviously Park was relying on 12 Groups fighters to provide the necessary cover. When Debden was bombed with devastating results by the Luftwaffe, Leigh-Mallory's squadrons had not arrived. When park wanted an explanation, Leigh-Mallory claimed that he was asked too late.
    The 12 Group Commander and one of his squadron commanders Douglas Bader launched an attack on the way that Dowding and Park were handling the Battle. It was claimed that no way were they going to create an advantage by sending up ridiculous small forces of fighters against the armada of massed formations of the Luftwaffe.
    Bader supported Leigh-Mallory's theory of the 'Big Wing', sending up possibly five squadrons of fighters. They agreed that it took time to organize, it took time for them to make formation in the air, and that on many occasions would not intercept the German aircraft until after they had dropped their bombs. But they both insisted that it was far better to shoot down German aircraft in substantial numbers on their way home after they had bombed their targets, rather than just to snap at their flanks as they approached and put valuable planes and pilots at risk.
    Keith Park argued back, that Leigh-Mallory was to be reminded that these targets that were being bombed were his airfields, and at least we are scattering the enemy bombers forcing them either to make mistakes or to abort and return home. Park continued, that the 'Big Wing' theory was ridiculous and that how on earth could it succeed if there was no airfields for the aircraft to take off from. (It should be remembered here, that 80% of their targets were the airfields of 11 Group).
    Park won the support of Dowding, who, for the time being would not allow such 'Big Wing' tactics to be instigated. But Leigh-Mallory was not to let the matter rest, he was later to take his theory to the Air Ministry and even direct to the Prime Minister. Was the "Big Wing' theory worthy of being implemented? Was Leigh-Mallory still bitter about not getting command of 11 Group as he originally wanted? Was Park carrying bitter resentment because he thought that Leigh-Mallory was telling him his job? Did Leigh-Mallory carry any resentment because of Dowding's close relationship with Park?
    Although the 'Big Wing' was a controversial matter, It really comes down to the fact that it was a battle of two men's personalities.
    As we shall see as the month of September wears on, the 'Big Wing' theory does in fact win in the end.



    By this period, the Luftwaffe pilots were reporting that the British fighter defence was not as intense as it had been previously. Pilots attached to 11/KG 1 on reporting after a mission over the dockland areas of East London officially placed in their report that 'Only slight enemy fighter resistance easily countered by own escort'.
    The British were suffering badly, they were losing more aircraft than were being produced, which meant that if things continued like this, the resources of Fighter Command would soon be depleted. Pilots too was becoming an even more serious issue. Since the Battle of Britain had begun, Dowding had lost some 75% of his squadron commanders, nearly 400 pilots had either been killed or seriously wounded.
    Air Vice Marshal Dowding had for some time been under pressure to include the two hundred or more Czechs, Poles and a few other European pilots into operational service. But so far, Dowding had resisted. Now with the situation that could only be classed as critical, he now had to consider that anyone who could fly a fighter plane, be put into operational service. This also included drawing on pilots from both Bomber and Coastal Commands.
    Now, new pilots were being attached to squadrons with as little as fifteen or twenty hours flying experience on either Spitfires or Hurricanes. This posed new problems for Dowding and Park. The new English pilots were young and enthusiastic, the Czechs and the Poles were using their native language that was to cause immense problems as far as communications were concerned and those from Bomber and Coastal Commands had to get used to a new way of fighting. But these problems also had there effects down through the chain of command. Station and squadron commanders tried to give some of the new pilots additional training, but by pushing through inexperienced men seriously weakened the effectiveness of many of the squadrons. It also put additional pressure on the more experienced who found themselves flying sortie after sortie until they could barely stand up.


    I watched as one by one our aircraft returned to base after yet another sortie. Most of the aircraft to our delight had returned unscathed, but then I saw this Hurricane coming in to land. His wings were tipping up, then down, then suddenly he hit the ground rather hard only for him to bounce right up again. Then at the second attempt, he finally kept the aircraft on the ground and taxied a short way and stopped in the centre of the airfield. Casualty procedures were put into action and crash tenders and ambulances rushed towards him only to find that the pilot fast asleep, he did not even have time to switch the engine off
    Squadron Leaders remarks at 111 Squadron Croydon September 1940.
    Hough & Richards in their book "Battle of Britain - A Jubilee History" p238 state that the pilot in question was in fact Canadian Pilot Officer J.A. (Johnny) Walker of 111 Squadron was actually leaning forward still in his Sutton harness, head on his chest and asleep with exhaustion.

    Towards the end of the Battle I had just taken about as much as I could bear. My nerves were in ribbons and I was scared stiff that one day I would pull out and avoid combat. That frightened me more than the Germans and I pleaded with my C.O. for a rest. He was sympathetic but quite adamant that until he got replacements I would have to carry on. I am glad now that he was unable to let me go. If I had been allowed to leave the squadron, feeling as I did, I am sure that I would never have flown again.
    Sgt. J.H (Ginger) Lacey 501 Squadron Fighter Command

    SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 1st 1940
    WEATHER:
    Most of the country could expect cloudy patches for most of the morning with sunny periods. Temperatures expected were to be a little higher than average with the cloud burning off about midday giving way to fine and sunny conditions.
    OPERATIONS IN DETAIL:
    1015hrs: The day held the same usual pattern as did many of the preceding days, quiet early, but at mid morning a build up of enemy aircraft was detected by the radar stations at Dover, Foreness and Pevensy. The Luftwaffe kept to their standard pattern of sending in a small formation of Bf109s first as a diversionary, but as usual they are ignored by Fighter Command. These are followed by 60+ bombers that consisted of formations of Dornier Do17s and Bf110s with the fighter escort of Bf109s at higher altitude.
    Just prior to reaching the Kent coast, they broke up into a number of smaller formations, each designated to a different target. Again it was the airfields of Fighter Command that bore the brunt of the Luftwaffe attacks, Eastchurch, Rochford, Detling and once again Biggin Hill. A total of ten squadrons were given the order to readiness, and once again, it seemed as though 11 Group would be stretched to the limit as the German bombers were heading for four different areas at the same time.

    1025hrs: Keith Park was still cautious as he viewed the large map table below him at Group HQ, forty Bf109s were positioned off the coast to the west, and seemed quite content at staying there, but he was more concerned with the three other formations positioned eastwards on the map table. Park, like Hugh Dowding, relied heavily on radar and had great faith in the radar operators and the Observer Corps. When the bomber formations were 'X' number of miles off the English coast, that's when he would want the squadrons to scramble to intercept them. If the squadrons left too early, they would be in combat action over the waters of the Channel, Fighter Command knew that there was only a 20% recovery rate for pilots downed in the Channel. If the squadrons left too late, then they could not attain the height and position required to launch a successful attack on the incoming enemy formations. The timing had to be correct. [1]
    Fourteen squadrons were scrambled and were vectored to intercept the enemy formations as they crossed the coast from Dungeness to Margate, and as others entered the Thames Estuary and headed due west along the River Thames heading towards London.
    1100hrs: Fierce dogfights occurred over the eastern half of Kent. Most of these were in separate pockets scattered in different areas. 54 Squadron Hornchurch (Spitfires) and 72 Squadron Croydon (Spitfires) are vectored towards the Maidstone area. Here, they engage a formation of Dorniers after they had crossed the coast near Beachy Head. 72 Squadron had just arrived at the Biggin Hill sector but because of the damage sustained at Biggin Hill, the squadron were posted to Croydon and were immediately thrown into the action.
    1130hrs: As 54 Squadron intercept the Dornier formation, they are joined by 1 Squadron Northolt (Hurricanes) while 72 Squadron made their approach on the enemy from the west and as they lined up their attack, they were jumped on by Bf109s who tore into the squadron with deadly accuracy. The dock areas of London now come under attack by enemy bombers that had managed to get through. Park order a number of squadron at Hornchurch, Biggin Hill and Kenley to be at readiness to protect the main sector station including 79 Squadron Biggin Hill (Hurricanes).

    F/O Desmond Sheen watches as one of his squadron is attacked by a Bf109 as he prepared to line up a Dornier, he calls out but gets little or no response as Sgt. M.Pocock takes a hit and dives earthwards. Soon after, Desmond Sheen is hit himself as five or six Bf109s bear down on him. His engine bursts into flames and he is forced to bale out. [2]


    As he floats down Sheen surveys a scene that will live in his memory forever. On his right he can see explosions from bursting bombs in the Dover area with answering anti-aircraft fire from the defences. On his left he can see bombs falling on London Docks. The air is pungent with the acrid smell of cordite and its throbs to the engines of the bombers punctuated by the whining, straining sounds of fighters as they dive, climb and turn somewhere above. Not far off a Bf109 falls in flames. A parachute blossoms out but its harness must be faulty because the airman dangling beneath suddenly falls away to oblivion. Another 109 turns towards him but there is a Spitfire on its tail. It twists away and both planes merge into the panorama.
    Dennis Newton A Few of the Few Australian War Memorial 1990 p146
    1330hrs: The fighters of the morning raid had hardly returned to their bases, rearmed and refueled when they were once again placed at readiness as a large formation had been detected again coming in over Dover. It was all a carbon copy of the earlier raid and the enemy bombers again broke into smaller groups with some approaching London over Dover and Ashford while another headed north and came in following the Thames.
    Again Keith Park put up as many squadrons as he could while at the same time keeping enough back at the sector stations for close protection. 1 (RCAF) Squadron Northolt (Hurricanes), 54 Squadron Hornchurch (Spitfires), 72 Squadron Croydon (Spitfires), 85 Squadron Croydon (Hurricanes), 253 Squadron Kenley (Hurricanes) and 616 Squadron Kenley (Spitfires) were among many of the squadrons scrambled to intercept.
    1345hrs: The first interceptions were made between Folkestone and Hastings and 85 Squadron made contact near Lympne. P/O G.Allard was about to make an attack when his aircraft developed a loss in oil pressure. He decided that he would make a landing at nearby Lympne airfield when the engine started to cough and splutter. As he was about to touch down, he was losing enough power that the Hurricane became hard to control but he managed to land the aircraft safely just as bombs started to fall on the airfield. P/O Allard managed to get out of the aircraft which was damaged by bomb fragments as it lay parked on the airfield.
    72 Squadron Croydon (Spitfires) made their interception over Dungeness, 616 Squadron Kenley (Spitfires) followed soon after. 85 Squadron Croydon (Hurricanes) stayed with the combat but could do nothing to slow down the advance of the German bombers which had been reported as being 150 plus strong and consisted of Do17s, Bf110 and Bf109s.
    1400hrs: The squadrons protecting the sector stations, including 79 Squadron Biggin Hill (Hurricanes) were scrambled as the bombers approached. This was now the sixth raid on Biggin Hill in three days. During the day, they had been trying to hold a funeral service at a cemetery just outside the airfield for the fifty or so personnel that were killed in earlier raids on the station. All the coffins were lined up next to the graves, some were draped with the flags, but many were not as there were not enough of them to go round. The service is in progress as the air raid siren sounds, and 79 Squadron (Hurricanes) is immediately put into the air once again. The airfield is hit yet once again, and Group Captain Grice, the Station Commander wonders when it is all going to stop.
    Inside the airfield, everything seemed to be in disaster mode. Hangars are hit, as are mess halls, workshops and the telecommunications system. Bf110s come in low and bomb with accuracy, Do17s at higher altitude drop high explosive bombs. Damage is extensive.
    The attack continues on to Kenley where Do17s come in low. One of them is shot down by the Hurricanes of 85 Squadron. It tries to return towards the coast hoping that it could get back to base, but with both engines now in flames the bomber crashes near Dungeness. Three of the crew managed to bale out and were captured, but a fourth was killed when the aircraft crashed. P/O Colin Gray of 54 Squadron Hornchurch (Spitfires) managed to hit a Bf109 which with a damaged engine had to make a forced landing in a field near Rye. The pilot was also captured. A Bf110 after completing its bombing run on Biggin Hill, was shot down by P/O P.F.Mayhew of 79 Squadron Biggin Hill (Hurricanes) and it exploded as it hit the ground at Brasted killing both crew on board.
    Another Bf110 was attacked by the Hurricanes of 85 Squadron over Biggin Hill. Damaged by machine gun fire, it managed to keep flying and a Spitfire of 616 Squadron Kenley went in to assist. It was finally shot down by P/O C.E.English of 85 Squadron hitting the 110 in its only remaining engine and it made a forced landing at Ham Street where both of the crew were captured.

    1415hrs: But the glory experienced by 85 Squadron was to be short lived. Over the Kenley area, they were jumped on by a number of Bf109s cutting the squadron to pieces. First to be hit was P/O A.V.Gowers who managed to bale out of his burning Hurricane and received severe burns. Next was Sgt. G.B.Booth whose aircraft caught fire after an attack by a Bf109. The flames spread rapidly and Sgt. Booth baled out, but his parachute pack had been burnt and he fell without an open parachute to the ground. He survived the impact, but broke his back in the process. (After five months of agonizing pain and hospitalization he died of his injuries on February 7th 1941). F/O P.P.Woods-Scawen who was leading the squadron also baled out and his parachute failed to open as well and was killed on impact with the ground. ( His body was not discovered until six days later in scrub in Kenley Lane Kenley). The Hurricane of P/O A.G.Lewis was badly shot up over Kenley and he had to make a wheels up landing after he suffered a jammed undercarriage. Sgt. J.H.M.Ellis was also believed to have been killed as he never returned to base. His body has never been found. [3]
    1530hrs: In the two attacks of the day by German bomber formations, RAF fighter stations had suffered badly. Although Biggin Hill and Kenley had taken the brunt of the damage, Hornchurch, North Weald, Gravesend and Detling also took a battering. Targets at Tilbury also suffered as did the London Docks. Now, for the third time for the day, 100 plus aircraft came across the coast intent on doing further damage. Their course was the same as the two earlier raids.
    This time they started to bomb targets along the way. One formation dropped bombs on Hawkinge and Lympne airfields while another formation and making their attack on Detling and Chatham. Bf110s also decided to strafe the Dover balloon barrage along the way. A formation of Do17 bombers headed towards South London and it was at 1730hrs that Biggin Hill realized that they were again to be the target.
    1800hrs: A direct hit on the operations rooms put them completely out of action. All telephone lines were cut and the Teleprinter Network was destroyed by a single 500lb bomb. One of the workshops was on fire and four Spitfires were destroyed on the ground and the station armoury was ablaze.


    Anyone would think that we were the only important aerodrome protecting London. Day after day, raid after raid. As soon as the bombers come over and make bloody holes in the ground, we go out and fill 'em up again. Everything is in poor shape, but Jerry hadn't broken our spirit. Hangars continued to operate even with no roofs on. There was always a steady stream of ambulances to take the injured to hospital, in fact it got to a bloody state where they queued up waiting for the next raid. If there were heroes though, then it had to be the women. They just don't know how to bow to defeat. Bloody marvelous they were, stuck to their posts like glue, each one deserved a medal.
    Sgt. Gunner Ben Elswood AA Gun Battery at Biggin Hill
    In fact, two of the women at Biggin Hill, for their actions that day were awarded the Military Medal. Corporal Elspeth Henderson and Sergeant Helen Turner, both members of the Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) Already the previous day when Biggin Hill was attacked, both women along with Assistant Section Officer Felicity Hanbury went along to the airwomens trenches at the request of the station chaplain. The trenches were close to the stores and the Guardroom and had received a direct hit. [4] The Station Officer was already there and ordered that everybody grab a shovel and dig like mad. Its not a pretty sight to see your first dead person, and although most of the girls were only shaken or had minor injuries, the dead had to be laid out and their bodies covered with blankets.
    Now, the station was under attack again. Could it be that the girls would have to go through it all again.


    Enemy bombers throbbed once more over Biggin Hill. The two women were both on duty, Elspeth in charge of a special telephone line and Helen as the switchboard operator. The bombs began falling perilously near to their building, but both of them went on with their jobs - although they knew they had only a light roof over their heads.
    Then came a direct hit. Neither of them was hurt and they still carried on with their work. Elspeth said later: "There was nothing much else we could do anyway, was there?"
    Then the building caught fire, and the flames spurted and spat across the room. At last they were ordered to leave. Helen said "When we did leave, we had to crawl out through the wreckage, crawling through the broken down walls to safety. I felt a bit sorry for some of the youngsters in the building at the time, because it was their first experience with bombs. I did my best to cheer them up."
    The Commanding Officer of Biggin Hill later said "These three girls have shown amazing pluck in carrying on their work under the strain of falling bombs. I am proud to have them working on this station. There is no doubt that their example during two days of bombing inspired all around them.

    John Frayn Turner The Battle of Britain Airlife Publishing 1998 pp84-85
    Biggin again is declared unoperational temporarily, six squadrons of RAF fighters could not stop this final attack, although 603 Squadron managed to claim one Bf109 that crashed at Chilham and 79 Squadron is diverted to Croydon because Biggin Hill is temporarily declared unoperational.

    Work began immediately on rebuilding the operations room. Men that were normally AA gunners and fitters during the day, were instructed to assist in the clean up and re-establishment of the airfield. Post Office engineers worked throughout the night to repair damaged and severed telephone cables. Ruptured gas and water mains made many night time repairs hazardous and many of these were delayed until first light the next morning. Work had already been undertaken on many of the telephone cables from earlier raids, one of which was the main cable that engineers worked throughout the hours of darkness, even through an air raid, but much of this work was undone with this last evening attack.
    As a precaution, in case that Biggin Hill could not be repaired in time for the next day, more Post Office engineers connected telephone cables and a switchboard in one of the local village shops which was to be used as a temporary operations room until the one on the airfield was ready. [5]

    CASUALTIES:
    1115hrs: Pluckley (Kent). Spitfire P9458. 72 Squadron Croydon
    F/O O.St J.Pigg killed. (Failed to bale out after his aircraft was shot down during combat with Bf109s)
    1130hrs: Ruckinge (Kent). Hurricane P3276. 1 Squadron Northolt
    F/Sgt F.G.Berry killed. (Shot down by Bf109s during combat action over Kent)
    1400hrs: Dungeness. Hurricane P5185. 253 Squadron Kenley
    P/O J.K.G.Clifton killed. (Shot down in combat with Do215 and Bf110s and failed to bale out)
    1415hrs: Tunbridge Wells. Hurricane L2071. 85 Squadron Croydon
    Sgt. G.B.Booth died of injuries 7-2-1941. (Baled out of burning aircraft but burnt parachute failed to open)
    1415hrs: Kenley. Hurricane P2673. 85 Squadron Croydon
    Sgt. J.H.M.Ellis listed as missing. (Last seen in combat with Bf109s. Failed to return to base)
    1415hrs: Kenley. Hurricane P3150. 85 Squadron Croydon
    F/O P.P.Woods-Scawen killed. (Shot down by Bf109, baled out but parachute failed to open)



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  16. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6th 1940
    WEATHER:
    The fine weather of the previous days was expected to continue with the cloud in the north dispersing overnight and bringing fine weather to all areas. Temperatures could be a little lower, but still slightly above average.
    OPERATIONS IN DETAIL:
    The success of Bomber Command on the previous night would no doubt raise anger in the German halls of officialdom. Hugh Dowding and Keith Park knew by instinct that the overnight raids on Berlin especially, would bring about instant retaliation.
    0300hrs: During the early morning darkness, a German aircraft drops a parachutist in Nottinghamshire. No one hears or sees the aircraft or notices the parachute silently gliding earthwards.
    0800hrs: Radar and observation detected a number of single Bf109s over factories and industrial areas.
    Park requests that Air Vice Marshal Brand of 10 Group to cover the number of factories at Weybridge and the upper reaches of the River Thames with a squadron of fighters. Brand gives this task to 609 Squadron Warmwell (Spitfires). 609 patrol the area, without incident but while they return to refuel, a formation of Bf110s get through and manage an attack on Brooklands. This time their aim is accurate and the Hawker factory it hit but only minor damage is caused.
    0845hrs: Thameshaven, still ablaze from the previous days bombing is again the target for another attack, but although 73 Squadron Debden (Hurricanes) intercepts, they are engaged by the escorting Bf109s with P/O H.W.Eliot being hit by gunfire from one of the Bf109s and he is forced to bale out leaving some of the bombers add fuel to an already burning Thameshaven.
    0910hrs: A number of squadrons had now been despatched into combat areas in the south. 1 Squadron Northolt (Hurricanes), 73 Squadron Debden (Hurricanes) were busy over the north Kent coast and the Thames Estuary. 111 Squadron Croydon (Hurricanes), 303 Squadron Northolt (Hurricanes) and 501 Squadron Gravesend (Hurricanes) were kept busy in engagements over the aerodromes of Kenley and Biggin Hill, while 249 Squadron North Weald (Hurricanes) and 601 Squadron Tangmere (Hurricanes) were kept busy over Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells and Rochester.
    Dover is also hit once again, and fifteen Bf110s escorted by twenty-five Bf109s are intercepted by 234 Squadron Middle Wallop (Spitfires). Sgt M.C.Boddington comes in astern of a Bf109 and gives chase, and it is not until over Ashford that the Bf109 is brought down by Sgt Boddington. F/L Pat Hughes tags onto a weaving Bf109 that had been escorting a damaged Bf110 and fires a short burst. The 109 still banks and weaves trying to escape from the Australian but Hughes sticks to him like glue. Smoke emits from the enemy fighter over Beachy Head as Pat Hughes next burst finds its target, but Hughes is forced to disengage as he himself comes under fire from other Bf109s. P/O J.Zurakowski takes over and it is uncertain if he managed to hit the Messerschmitt but it crashed in flames near Old Romney.
    British troops were quick to get to the burning Bf109 finding the pilot still in the blazing cockpit. The heat was so intense that there was no way that they could get at the German pilot and pull him clear. Instead, they pulled their rifles and shot the pilot as an act of humanity so as to stop any undue suffering.
    There is a grave at the New Folkestone Cemetery marked "Unknown German Airman" This is probably the remains of that pilot who was shot by British troops. Research has discovered that the burnt remains were taken to the New Folkestone Cemetery, but as the German authorities claim that only two pilots did not return that day who were on operations in that area with the unit. They were Gefr Karl Bieker and Gefr Peter Holzapel, although the latter in German records state that his death occurred on January 7th 1941. So it is still not certain as to who lies in the grave dedicated to an "Unknown German Airman" at Folkestone.
    Hugh Dowding felt that now the situation was critical and called for Park and Leigh-Mallory. He informed them of the situation to which it was of no surprise that they were fully aware of that. But Dowding said that we are now at a stage where we have squadrons who are tired, others are just about out to it, while we have others up north who could relieve many of these exhausted pilots.
    He explained that he must now categorise all squadrons. "A" will consist of all those squadrons in the front line of defence which would include all squadrons in 11 Group plus those in 10 and 12 Groups that would most likely find themselves also in the front line. "B" would be those squadrons that were not in the front line but were prepared and ready to be transferred to a front line airfield, and "C" would be all those squadrons that have reached exhaustion or have not yet reached the level required for operations in the front line.
    "We have squadrons that have been involved in combat from first light right through until dusk, they have operated like this for days on end," said Dowding, "and that includes many of our experienced squadrons. These men are not immortal, they are human beings, day after day of prolonged combat has made them tired and they are exhausted." He went on to say that these men must be replaced by men who are fresh. We cannot win if we have pilots who cannot even stand up.
    By now, the British commanders were at their lowest ebb, exhausted pilots and squadrons, Spitfires and Hurricanes were still being lost at a far greater rate than they were being replaced. In just two weeks Fighter Command had lost 295 planes with 171 badly damaged. 103 pilots had been killed while 128 had been wounded. Squadrons were now weakened by only having 16 pilots attached instead of the normal 26. As far as the airfields were concerned, Lympne and Manston were out of action while Biggin Hill which had suffered immensely could only operate one squadron at a time. Radar stations were being patched up the best that they can, and communications was only at 75% efficiency.
    They knew that once they stopped intercepting the German formations, Göering would immediately know that he had achieved his first objective, that he had destroyed the RAF and that there was no stopping now, the cities could be bombed and the invasion could commence.
    As the Group leaders left, Dowding said quietly, "...we must pull together.....we must win".
    That night, from the office of the War Ministry, the Home Forces HQ issued its preliminary Alert No.3, "Invasion probable within three days".

    .

    At a railroad siding between Calais and Boulogne, in his special train, Göering gave a
    banquet for his air fleet commanders. He offered them the choicest of French wines and
    they ate the finest of French table food. He told his guests, that from this day, he would
    be taking personal command of the battle, and that he would settle for nothing less than victory.
    We will find out next, that on the 7th September, Göering will stand on the forward
    observation post at Cape Gris-Nez and watch as wave upon wave of German bombers
    roar across the English Channel........their destination......London.

    CASUALTIES:
    0900hrs: Ashford. Hurricane V6612. 501 Squadron Gravesend
    P/O H.C.Adams killed. (Shot down during combat and crashed at Eltham)
    0900hrs: Ashford. Hurricane V6646. 501 Squadron Gravesend
    Sgt O.V.Houghton killed. (Shot down during combat and crashed at Charing)
    0900hrs: Ashford. Hurricane P3516. 501 Squadron Gravesend
    Sgt G.W.Pearson killed. (Shot down in combat and crashed at Hothfield. Originally unidentified. Crash site now certified)
    0910hrs: Hadlow Down (Kent). Spitfire X4036. 234 Squadron Middle Wallop
    P/O W.H.G.Gordon killed. (Shot down by Bf109 and crashed on farm at Hadlow Down)
    0915hrs: Kingsnorth (Kent). Hurricane P3032. 253 Squadron Kenley
    S/L W.P.Cambridge killed. (Circumstances unknown. Baled out of aircraft but dead when found)
    0930hrs: Tunbridge Wells. Hurricane P3363. 601 Squadron Tangmere
    F/L C.R.Davis killed. (Shot down by Bf109. Crashed and burnt out in back garden of cottage)
    0930hrs: Tunbridge Wells. Hurricane P8818. 601 Squadron Tangmere
    F/L W.H.Rhodes-Moorehouse killed. (Crashed at Southborough after combat with Bf109s.)
    1330hrs: Calais. Spitfire X4260. 603 Squadron Hornchurch
    P/O J.R Caister Captured and made PoW. (Shot down by Bf109. Force landed behind Calais)
    [1] Dennis Newton A Few Of The Few Australian War Memorial p156

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  17. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10th 1940
    WEATHER:
    Clear during the early hours but cloud was expected to move in from the North Sea during the early morning and this would give rain over most areas during the day.
    OPERATIONS IN DETAIL:
    Low cloud and periods of heavy rain over Northern Europe stopped any form of Luftwaffe air activity and any operations planned against England had to be canceled. For Fighter Command the day was nothing but a rest day and pilots and command leaders were trying to work out as to why Germany had decided to turn its attacks against London. If an invasion was Germany's highest priority, why the decision to bomb London. For an invasion to be successful, Germany would have to knock out as many military establishments as possible. As ACM Keith Park stated after the war, "The decision to bomb London was germany's greatest mistake, in those first few days of September our airfields were a shambles, pilot and aircraft strength was still at an all time low. By switching tactics and concentrating on London he will give us the time we need to strengthen our forces." There were many reasons as to why Park could do with some respite from his airfields becoming targets, the aerodromes were now functioning better than they had been for a number of weeks, aircraft factories were still operating as normal and military hardware was still pouring out of the factories. The radar was functioning at full capacity and Fighter Command HQ as well as Bentley Priory were operating normally. These should be the targets if Germany was to continue with its plan to make an invasion of Britain. Even the German Naval Staff could not understand the situation, as described in their diary:
    So why turn its attack on London. True the oil storage tanks at Thameshaven had suffered badly as did the London Docks, but these would have no opposition to any planned invasion. Suffering most were civilian properties and inconvenience caused to the inhabitants, especially those in the East End, all major railway stations had been damaged but had not been completely put out of action. Of the attacks of the previous nights, some newspapers made comparisons to the blitzkrieg attacks on a number of towns and cities in northern Europe, and many of the Londoner's abbreviated the name and called the attacks on their city as "The Blitz" and from then on, the name stuck.
    A few German aircraft were detected in and around the southern and eastern coastline of England, but most of these were on either weather or reconnaissance patrols. Fighter Command decided to leave them alone. Bomber Command sent 248 Squadron (Blenheims) on a mission to Norway but this had to be aborted because of deteriorating weather conditions over the North Sea. A flight from 236 Squadron St Eval (Blenheims) is placed on escort duty for the steamship Scillonian and the mission is successfully completed.
    With cloud cover persisting during the late afternoon, radar picks up various single aircraft coming across the Channel from 1700hrs onwards. With Fighter Command again not responding, a number of attacks were made by the Luftwaffe. A couple of lone bombers ventured into 10 Group territory and made some nuisance drops. Another lone raider attacked West Malling again but causing no serious damage. Tangmere reported that it had come under machine-gun strafing with nearby Portsmouth was attacked by single Do17s.
    72 Squadron Croydon (Spitfires) was one of the few squadrons scrambled and attacked one of the Do215s and one was believed to have been brought down, although one of the Spitfires was hit by return gunfire from the bomber and had to make a forced landing at Etchingham (Kent). Just after 1800hrs, a small formation crossed the coast near Dungeness and targeted Biggin Hill aerodrome, but were intercepted by British fighters and one of the Dorniers of 9/KG76 was shot down and the mission aborted.
    By nightfall, the Luftwaffe was again targeting London and this time they were making full use of the cloud cover. Also taking advantage of the weather attacks were also made on industrial areas of South Wales and on the Lancashire area of Merseyside. London was though, the main target where over 150 bombers pounded the city once again.
    But RAF Bomber Command also took advantage of the weather conditions. 17 Whitleys attack the Pottsdamer railway station at Berlin causing considerable damage, then they went on to attack the Bremen dock area while a Blenheim squadron attacked the important bomber aerodrome at Eindhoven. Eight Heinkel He111 bombers were destroyed, two were badly damaged and another was damaged when it crashed into craters upon landing later.

    There is no sign of the defeat of the enemy's Air Force over southern England and in the Channel area, and this is vital to a further judgment of the situation. The preliminary attacks by the Luftwaffe have indeed achieved a noticeable weakening of the enemy's fighter defences, so that considerable German fighter superiority can be assumed over the English area.
    However.....we have not yet attained the operational conditions which the Naval Staff stipulated to the Supreme Command as being essential for the enterprise, namely, undisputed air superiority in the Channel area and the elimination of the enemy's air activity in the assembly area of the German naval forces and ancillary shipping.....It would be in conformity with the timetable preparations for Sealion if the Luftwaffe now concentrated less on London and more on Portsmouth and Dover, as well as on the naval ports in and near the operational area....

    Excerpt from the German Naval Staff Diary [1]
    CASUALTIES:
    There were no pilot casualties reported on this day.
    One Spitfire of 72 Squadron Croydon was destroyed in combat.
    Two fighters were destroyed and three others damaged in training operations


    [
    http://www.battleofbritain1940.net/0039.html
     
  18. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 1940
    WEATHER:
    No sign in an improvement in the weather, and it was expected to remain unsettled with rain periods in all areas. In areas in the south and east there was a possiblity that there could be breaks in the cloud to give sunny periods. Over the Channel, the heavy cloud and rain should give way to lighter higher cloud during the day.
    OPERATIONS:
    Many of the German commanders are pushing for an exact date for 'Operation Sealion' to commence. Already the weather seems to be closing in and with these deteriorating conditions it appears that any chance of a successfull invasion may be out of the question if Hitler cannot make up his mind. Already, the date previously set for September 11th had been postponed, and Hitler had said that he favoured September 24th at the most likely date, but if conditions continued as they are, it would be an impossiblility for the barges to cross the Channel should the expected winds that are prevalent at this time of the year accompany the heavy cloud and rain squalls.
    A meeting had been called in Berlin to commence at lunchtime, and as was usual a banquet was organised prior to the serious meeting between Hitler, Göring, Milch, Kesselring and Jodl being the most notable commanders in attendance. The Führer outlined the present situation. He made mention of the fact that the Luftwaffe still had not yet attained air superiority over the Royal Air Force, which was a rather hypocritical statement being as he had ordered Göring to concentrate his attacks on London earlier in September at the expense of continuing the raids on RAF airfields. He also made mention that more and more barges were being unloaded along the Dutch and Belgian coasts in readines. Soon, he said, we will be moving our armies to these northern ports, armies of specially trained men, all will be ready. But, he stated, our bombers have justly tore the heart out of the British populace. London is a city burning night after night and the British air force is still terribly weak and we can continue to hit the British where it so terribly hurts.......at their beloved capital.

    The Führer spoke at length on the bombing of London, and only outlined to preparations of any forthcoming invasion and the commanders started to think that Adolph Hitler was now more concerned with the total destruction of London and that they were beginning to think that their leader was having second thoughts about any invasion of England. By the time that the meeting was over, all that the commanders had learnt was the thoughts that were coming out of the mind of the Führer, there were no fresh orders, he failed to ask for any reports on the current situation.
    In Britain, the radar operators lay in wait for the tell tale blips that would indicate enemy intrusion across the Channel. Pilots sat around waiting for the telephone to ring, but it was the same story of the last few days. A small piece of action occurred high over Hornchurch and Biggin Hill, but these were recognised as weather reconnaissence aircraft when the British "Y" Service picked up their conversations. No action was taken against these aircraft and Fighter Command allowed them to return back across the Channel without any interception.
    A Focke-Wolfe 200 is detected over Northern Ireland, the first time that the enemy has penetrated this area and proof that Ireland is not free of the war situation. The aircraft managed to drop bombs on the steamship 'Longfort' just off the coast at Belfast and also submitted an unidentified vessel to gunfire but there were no reports of damage. [1]

    For both sides, there were further tactical developments within this period. Now that the Luftwaffe had decided to abort any serious attacks on Fighter Command airfields and turned its attention on inland targets as well as London, Park had more time to assess the situation and gave them greater time to intecept the enemy. Keith Park had also sent out the instruction that squadrons should as far as possible work in pairs. The original order of this instruction went out as early as September 5th.
    On the other hand, Kesselring's views on this move by Fighter Command was that he agreed that Park's order was actually working. Not only that, Fighter Command was a much stronger organisation than the tattered remnants of a defeated defence as German sources had earlier imagined. Because of this, formation leaders had now been given the instruction, that should they meet up with what they would consider stiff opposition, they may decide and order the formation to disengage. This oder was given by the German High Command.
    Again, as on the day previous, air activities were hampered by bad weather, and the Luftwaffe took advantage of this by sending single aircraft deeper into Britain than they had done during other daylight attacks on the enemy. The Air Ministry buildings at Harrowgate were attacked, so was an alluminium factory at Banbury in Oxfordshire. The large railway junction just outside Reading had been bombed the previous day causing disruptions on the Great Western line, and as previously mentioned, the first raids on Northern Ireland had occurred. [2]
    Small raids did occur during the morning period when two German bombers flying single missions towards London and coming from different directions penetrated the defences and dropped a small number of bombs which fell on Whitehall and a part of Downing Street while the other aircraft dropped bombs on the Chelsea Hospital and another fell in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, the third time the Royal Palace had been attacked and this time damaged had been sustained to the Royal Chapel.
    1200hrs: Keith Park at 11 Group Headquarters had been alerted from a message that originated from the Radio Interception Unit that German weather reconnaissence aircraft had radioed back to their bases that there was seven tenths cloud at 1,500 metres and stated that attacks could be made possible between 1,500 and 2,500 metres. The assessment that Park made, was that under the circumstances, he believed that the Luftwaffe would make spasmodic raids and have the advantage of using the cloud as a cover. He alerted the commanders of selected airfields to place at least one squadron at readiness.
    1330hrs: A number of squadron had been scrambled after reports came through that radar had picked up enemy aircraft, and that the general direction was London. Using the cloud to their advantage, it was difficult for the Observer Corps to keep track, but it did appear that the target were either Biggin Hill, Kenley or Croydon. One of the squadrons scrambled was 501 Squadron Kenley (Hurricanes) who intercepted a small force of He111 bombers and attacked. Most decided to abort but not before one of the Heinkels was shot down.
    At the same time, another small raid was centred on Tangmere. One enemy bomber was shot down by 609 Squadron Warmwell (Spitfires). Again, the raid was aborted and no damage was sustained on Tangmere aerodrome.
    It had not been a good day for the Luftwaffe. Although only a small number of aircraft were destroyed, there ws no real reason that, under the circumstances they need not have made any missions at all. The first aircraft lost was at 0330hrs while on a raind on South Wales that a He111 hit the cables of a barrage ballon and crashed in the town of Newport. A He111 of 2/KG1 was badly damaged during an operational mission over England that it crashed on landing back at its home airfield. Another He111 crashed on German soil after a bombing mission, due to serious damage cause by AA gunfire and from an attack made by a British fighter. One of the Ju88s that attempted to attack Tangmere was badly damaged and crashed into the ground on landing at its home base. As well as these aircraft destroyed and two others that crashed on English soil, twenty German aircrew were killed. The only British casualty during the German attacks was one of the Hurricanes of 501 Squadron, and then, the pilot Sgt J.H.Lacey baled out and was unhurt.

    CASUALTIES:
    0700hrs: Norwegian Coast. Blenheim L5491. 248 Squadron Sumburgh
    Sgt W.J.Garfield Listed as missing.
    Sgt A.Kay. Listed as missing.
    Sgt B.W.Messner. Listed as missing. (Failed to return from reconnaissence flight over Norwegian coast)
    Night Sortie: Calais. Blenheim Z5721. F.I.U. Shoreham (Time not known)
    F/L R.G.Ker-Ramsey. Taken PoW.
    W/O E.L.Byrne. Taken PoW.
    W/O G.Dixon. Taken PoW. (Baled out near Calais. Exact circumstances are not known)

    http://www.battleofbritain1940.net/0040.html
     
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  19. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    1940: Victory for RAF in Battle of Britain
    RAF Fighter Command is claiming victory over the Luftwaffe after a day of heavy bombing raids ended in big losses for the enemy.
    According to the RAF, 176 enemy aircraft were destroyed by fighter planes. At least another nine aircraft were hit by anti-aircraft guns.
    British casualties were much lighter - only 25 aircraft lost with 13 pilots killed or missing.
    The Air Ministry says the German losses are the highest since 18 August, five days after the Battle of Britain began in earnest.

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG] We saw a Hawker Hurricane coming down with a dead engine and whisps of white smoke [​IMG]People's War memories »
    [​IMG]
    Today there were two major attacks on London during daylight and a number of smaller raids on the south coast in the Portland and Southampton areas.

    The first big attack came in the morning at 1100 hours. A wave of about 100 German aircraft was spotted heading over the Kent coast towards London followed by a second wave of about 150 planes.
    Spitfire and Hurricane squadrons were sent to meet them and many German planes are reported to have turned away without dropping any bombs.
    However, Buckingham Palace was hit during this initial raid. Two heavy bombs fell, one on the Palace buildings and one on the lawns. Neither exploded but one caused damage to the Queen's private apartments.
    The King and Queen were not in residence and there was only a skeleton staff who were sheltering in the basement. It is the third time this week the palace has been targeted.
    At about 1400 hours another wave of about 150 German planes crossed the coast near Dover - again followed by a second wave of 100 aircraft. They appeared to be heading for targets in south London and railways in London and Kent.
    Fighter patrols were again ready to meet the enemy and only 70 or so enemy planes reached central London where there were a series of dogfights.
    The attacks continued with smaller raids on Portland and Southampton. Again the enemy aircraft were successfully driven off by the British fighters.
    As darkness fell, the raids continued on London inflicting major damage on targets in the south of the city.
    Railway bridges were hit between Victoria and Clapham Junction, the railway has also been hit at East Croydon, gas and water mains have been disrupted and St Thomas's, Guys and Lambeth hospitals were all hit although there were no casualties.


    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)

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/15/newsid_3521000/3521611.stm
     
  20. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Tuesday September 17th 1940








    Since first light on August 15th until the last squadron of Fighter Command landed on September 15th, the intensity of the air combat was at its peak. 201 Fighter Command aircrew had been killed during this period and 495 aircraft had been destroyed. This was an average of 6.29 pilots killed each day and 15.47 valuable aircraft lost or destroyed on a daily basis. If we take a look at the Luftwaffe figures, one can understand as to why Göring was not impressed. The Luftwaffe lost 1,132 aircrew and 862 aircraft. This averaged out at 35.37 aircrew lost each day and 26.93 aircraft lost or destroyed every day for the last 32 day period.
    It was also during this 32 day period that things were at their most difficult and daunting for the Germans. First of all, they made the fundamental alteration regarding strategy, which did not benefit themselves but played into the hands of Fighter Command where it appears that it gave them a new lease of life. It was prompted by the overall success of Keith Park's policy of refusing battle, as far as possible, with German fighters and concentrating against their bomber force. [1]
    We must also appreciate the fact that Germany was not producing the amount of new aircraft at the same rate as they were in Britain, a feat that all accolades must go to the Minister for Aircraft Production Lord Beaverbrook. If the battle were to continue for the next 32 days with the same amount of attrition, then the Luftwaffe would surely be a spent force. Aircraft production in Britain, despite the number of attacks on the aircraft factories, still managed on many occasions to produce more aircraft on a daily basis than were being shot down.


    When Beaverbrook became Minister of Aircraft Production on 14 May, the planned production of fighters for that month was 261 machines. The actual output for the month was 325. For June the planned programme was 292; the actual output was 446. In July and August the improvement still continued: the total planned production was 611 but the total actual output was 972. Already by early July the supply of fighters had become so satisfactory that it was decided to allocate an additional four aircraft to each of thirty Hurricane and six Spitfire squadrons — though, unfortunately, there were not the pilots to go with them.
    Hough & Richard's The Battle of Britain - A Jubilee History Hodder & Stoughton 1989 p102

    Then, if we look at total fighter production between week ending August 17th and week ending September 14th we will see that 43 Defiants were produced, 271 Hurricanes, 186 Spitfires, 26 Buffalo's and 3 Westland Whirlwinds giving Fighter Command a total of 1154 servicable fighter aircraft. This is an average daily total output of 36.06, meaning that Beaverbrook's factories were producing a little over twice as many fighter aircraft that were being shot down. [2]
    Even though these figures appear to be excellent, we have to appreciate the fact that Fighter Command did lose a considerable number of aircraft from mid August to mid September, coupled with the fact that hundreds more had been damaged and were undergoing repairs. We are fortunate in having these figures available to us, but at the time, such accurate figures were not available and unless German intelligence was on the 'mark' they would have had no idea of the situation, except for the fact that there were four or five times more British aircraft to meet the German armada of bombers than they had anticipated.
    During the morning, just as the Luftflotten commanders were giving instruction of the impending days raids, and the crews were being briefed, a communiqué came through stating that "Operation Seelöwe" had yet again been postponed. It was due to the present circumstances, and the message was obviously under the direction of Hitler, he being the only one who could announce such a decision. Later, the German General Staff sent a message by radio to the commanding officer handling the loading and supply of troop-carrying aircraft in Holland. It gave the commanding officer the authorization to dismantle all of the air-loading equipment at all the Dutch airfields. Without this vital equipment, there could be no such invasion, and by the withdrawal of the air-loading equipment and possibly the barges at Antwerp, it appeared that this postponement was more like an abandonment.
    In the deciphering rooms at Bletchley Park, the message was intercepted by Ultra loud and clear. Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Cyril Newhall stated to his ministry that with this great news of the air-loading equipment being ordered to disband, and with the unreliable weather conditions that could be expected for the remainder of the year, any planned invasion would now not take place, not in 1940 anyway. Again the Air Ministry put this down to their success of September 15th. (Some resources state that on this day, that Hitler abandoned the invasion indefinitely, this is not the case, the invasion was only postponed, but because of the coming winter, it was assumed that it would not take place during the rest of 1940). In Germany, Hitler's new directive stated that Operation Sealion could still be expected, even as late as October, but only if the air and weather conditions permitted, otherwise such an invasion could not now take place until 1941.


    TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 17th 1940
    WEATHER:
    Cold with squally winds especially in the Channel areas. Rain periods were to be expected in the south with the chance of a thunderstorm. The possibility of bright intervals expected during the afternoon.
    OPERATIONS IN DETAIL:
    There was very little activity during the morning period. Radar had picked up several small blips over the Channel, but these being either enemy aircraft flying singularly or in pairs were ignored by Fighter Command as they were probably just weather or photo-reconnaissence aircraft and caused no threat. One enemy bomber came very close over the town of Dover and the air raid warning sounded but the bomber flew along the coastline for a while before turning back out over the Channel towards its base.
    1400hrs: A formation of Ju88s were detected heading in a northerly direction over Bristol. There target was believed to be the factory areas of north of Bristol. 152 Squadron Warmwell (Spitfires) were scrambled to intercept. One of the Ju88s was hit and it was further harassed by the Spitfires until it crashed near Warminster south-east of Bath. The pilot was killed while three others were captured, one of them being a Gruppe Commander.
    1500hrs: With the brightening of the weather allowing better visibility, a large formation was detected crossing the Channel from Calais. As they crossed the coastline between Dover and Dungeness, the Observer Corps had trouble identifying them reporting that it was a large formation at great height. They could very well be forgiven, because the enemy formation was only flying at 15,000 feet, but they were a large contingent of Bf109s heading across the Kent coast.
    11 Group dispatched at varying times a number of squadrons, most of them Hurricanes. 1RCAF Squadron Northolt (Hurricanes), 17 Squadron Debden (Hurricanes), 19 Squadron Duxford (Spitfires), 41 Squadron Hornchurch Spitfires), 73 Squadron Debden (Hurricanes), 213 Squadron Tangmere (Hurricanes), 257 Squadron Debden (Hurricanes), 303 Squadron Northolt (Hurricanes), 501 Squadron Kenley (Hurricanes), 603 Squadron Hornchurch (Spitfires) and 607 Squadron Tangmere (Hurricanes) some sources state that up to twenty squadrons were dispatched, but records were not available.
    While it is not actually known where the target area was to be, the formation of Bf109s, accompanied by a small number of Ju88 bombers were heading in the general direction of Sheerness and Tilbury, and over the Kent countryside, quite a number of bombs were dropped indiscriminately indicating that a number of these Bf109s had taken to a new role of carrying bombs. But over various areas of mid Kent, heavy air combat actions began to take place.
    17 Squadron, 73 Squadron and 253 Squadron, the all Hurricane squadrons from Debden were vectored to the Hendon and Northolt area. Orders were to patrol Hendon at 20,000 feet. Apparently no contact was made with the enemy, and only 73 Squadron reported that a visual sighting was made, but the enemy was flying at approximately 33.000 feet and did not appear to be escorting any bombers. The Debden controller instructed 73 Squadron not to increase height and stay at 20,000 in the patrol area. On arrival at base later, all squadrons reported that no contact was made with the enemy.
    1530hrs: One of the combat areas was in the Dover area. Heavily involved was 41 Squadron Hornchurch who took on a large formation of Bf109s. Two of the 109s became sandwiched between 41 Squadron Spitfires and trailing smoke dived down to low levels in a bid to make good their escape. Both of these managed to return to Wissant without any further attack being made on them.
    Over "Hells Corner" another Bf109 was to break away and attempted to return to its base after receiving damage, but the damage was too severe and it had to make a forced landing, but three other 109s were not so lucky. Two were shot down and crashed into the Channel, another was destroyed when it crashed near Deal, but not after the squadron sustained some bruising from the German fighters. At1535hrs, F/O J.G.Boyle's Spitfire was hit by gunfire from a 109 over Manston, and had to return to Hornchurch. At 1540hrs, P/O J.N.Mackenzie's Spitfire was severely damaged and while the pilot was unhurt, it is believed that his aircraft was beyond repair after it crash landed. P/O H.H.Chalder was another who had to return to base while P/O H.C.Baker had to make a forced landing at Stelling Minnis after he took a hit while in combat over Manston.
    1540hrs: The action here was with 501 Squadron Kenley who took on some Bf109s over Ashford. They were not as lucky as 41 Squadron as P/O Bennions describes their only success of the day:


    After the commencement of the engagement, I found myself about 2,000 feet below a section of 5 Me109s. Two of the Me109s dived down onto me and I evaded by turning sharply right; then one dived away and as I turned to follow three more came down on me. After turning and twisting violently, I spun out and, on pulling out I found that one only had followed me down. I turned to engage and he disappeared into the clouds. I climbed back to 15,000 feet and sighted a loose formation of four Me109s circling. I attacked the rear one from the inside of a left hand turn and, after a short burst, I saw pieces fly off the aircraft, which then rolled over and spun inverted for about 8,000 feet and then dive straight into the ground midway between Canterbury and Herne Bay, near a very large wood.
    Combat Report of P/O G.H.Bennions 501 Squadron for September 17th 1940
    501 Squadron was to lose two Hurricanes in this engagement. One of them was Sgt J.H.Lacey who managed to bale out of his stricken aircraft, while the other was Sgt E.J.Egan who went down with his Hurricane that had burst into flames. Both incidents occurred over Ashford.
    19 Squadron also got into the action and over north Kent was credited with two destroyed Messerschmitts. As it turned out, both were shot down by Sub Lt "Tony" Blake, who as it happens turned out to be the Navy's highest scoring fighter pilot.
    Evening: The usual raids began to commence at about 2000hrs. The first raids were on London where continuous waves of bombers pounded the city.


    For nearly two weeks, London had taken a beating. Each night was now becoming a sort of ritual having to go down to the shelter in the back garden each time the air raid siren went off. Sometimes you could hear the steady drone of bombers as they came over and the dull short thud of explosions. Sometime you wouldn't hear any engines at all, only thud, thud, thud of the AA guns, then just as you thought that you heard what could have been a steady drone of engines, you would hear a dull whistle getting louder and louder then the ground shook as a bomb exploded, maybe a few houses away or maybe a few streets away. Sometimes you heard nothing, the raid was not over your part of London, but one could see the waving tall shafts of light as searchlights tried to locate the bombers, and the sound of exploding bombs could be heard miles away.
    Pauline Harper (nee Davison) remembers the 'Blitz'
    Later in the evening, Junkers Ju88s went on a bombing spree over Merseyside. Again, the bombing was either not accurate or the Germans just dropped their bombs anywhere as long as they were over the city. There were plenty of industrial and dock areas that could be bombed, but the residential areas were also taking a beating and again, many lives were lost. The cities of Newcastle and Durham were also hit, but many houses were damaged and destroyed. Reports of bombs landing in open country was again reported well away from towns and cities.
    Victory came at 2345hrs to one of the Defiants of 141 Squadron converted to night fighter operations and based at Biggin Hill. A number of Junkers Ju88s were detected crossing the coast near Dover and 11 Group dispatched a flight from 141 Squadron. Interception was made north of Ashford and Sgt Lawrence and Sgt Chard began their attack on B3+OL. The badly damaged bomber finally crashed in a residential street in Maidstone killing all the aircrew.

    CASUALTIES:
    1540hrs: Ashford. Hurricane P3820. 501 Squadron Kenley
    Sgt E.J.Egan killed. (Shot down in sudden attack by Bf109. Aircraft burst into flames. Pilot did not bale out)
    1540hrs: Beltring. Hurricane P3933. 607 Squadron Tangmere
    Sgt J.Lansdell killed. (Shot down during combat with Bf109. Failed to bale out)
    1600hrs: Faversham. Hurricane V7529. 504 Squadron Hendon
    Sgt D.A.Helcke killed. (Lost control during attacking practice and failed to bale out)

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