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

  2. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    CL1 likes this.
  3. CL1

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

  4. CL1

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

    20 October 1940


    Daytime fighter bomber attacks in London and the south east and heavy bombing at night aimed at London and the Midlands were the major Luftwaffe activities.

    Coventry was hit, although the terrible night for that city, named (in English) “Operation Moonlight Sonata” by the Germans would not occur until 14 November.

    At 1.45 pm a Bf 109 flying as a fighter bomber escort exploded over Woolwich during an attack by RAF fighters. Oberfeldwebel Friedemann fell to the ground, his parachute unopened.

    The front part of his aircraft came down at Wickham Street, Welling, among temporary homes built for Londoners who had been bombed out. The Evening News caught the scene as a crowd inspected the wreckage.

    By now, sheltering from the bombs in London tube stations was becoming commonplace and refreshment services were beginning to develop, including food deliveries by specially arranged underground trains.




    Day by day - The Battle of Britain Memorial
     
  5. CL1

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

    23 October 1940


    After a very quiet day thanks to adverse weather conditions, Luftwaffe bombers were despatched to London and Glasgow at night.

    On the wider war front, 10 elderly destroyers were handed over to the Royal Navy at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Hitler met the Spanish leader Franco. A document pledging co-operation was signed, but Franco’s extortionate demands made him a difficult ally for the Germans.

    Day by day - The Battle of Britain Memorial
     
  6. CL1

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

    Last edited: Oct 23, 2020
  7. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re. Stanisław Skalski ...

    Polish Tribute Spitfire, Stanisław Skalski
     
  8. CL1

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

  9. CL1

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

    FO Thomas Peter Kingsland Higgs (1917-1940) - Find...

    One of the 111 Squadron Hurricanes, P3761, flown by Flying Officer Peter Higgs, collided with a Do-17, possibly whilst taking evasive action when he was attacked by the Bf 109 of Oberleutnant Ouesau. Higgs’ Hurricane lost a wing in the collision at 6,000 feet. He baled out, but drowned after a rescue launch was unable to find him. Higgs had previously been credited with destroying a Bf 109 and probably destroying a Do-17 during June. He became the first RAF fighter pilot to be lost in action in the Battle of Britain. He was 23 years old. His body was washed ashore on the Dutch coast five days later and he is buried in the Noordwijk General Cemetery. The Dornier of 3/KG 2 crashed near Dungeness Buoy; two of its crew were rescued and taken prisoner of war. Overall, on the first day of the Battle the Germans lost 13 aircraft; the RAF lost six, with two pilots killed.
    The Battle of Britain begins - 10th July 1940 | RAF Memorial Flight Club
    FO Higgs was one of the two the first Pilots to be killed during the Battle of Britain.


    Flying Officer THOMAS PETER KINGSLAND HIGGS Son of Arthur Hilton Higgs and of Alice Higgs (nee Dunkerley )

    Rank: Flying Officer (Pilot)
    Royal Air Force
    111 Sqdn.
    Age: 23
    Date of Death: 10/07/1940
    Service No: 36165

    FO Higgs was one of the two the first Pilots to be killed during the Battle of Britain.




    [​IMG]
     
  10. CL1

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

    Introduction to the Phases of the Battle of Britain

    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.[​IMG]

    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.



    Introduction to the Phases of the Battle | History of the Battle of Britain | Exhibitions & Displays | Research | RAF Museum
     
  11. CL1

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

    THURSDAY 11 JULY 1940

    Convoys attacked off Suffolk. Portland harbour raided.
    Night: Activity over south-west England, East Anglia, Yorkshire coast and Portsmouth.

    Weather: Channel overcast. Cloud base 5,000ft, Visibility fair. Thunderstorms and bright intervals in the midlands and north.

    Main Activity:

    Shortly after 0700 hours, ten Ju 87 Stuka dive-bombers from IV/LG 1, escorted by Bf 109s from III/JG 27, headed towards a convoy passing through Lympne Bay. Three Hurricanes of No. 501 Squadron were en route to intercept the Stukas when they were bounced by the Messerschmitt escort, losing one aircraft. Six Spitfires of No. 609 Squadron were scrambled from Warmwell and arrived over the convoy just as the Stukas attacked. Outnumbered by odds of 6:1, the squadron was routed and lost two aircraft. However, none of the ships in the convoy were hit.

    At 1100 hours, another formation of Ju 87 Stukas from StG 2, escorted by Bf 110s from III/ZG 76, was despatched to attack the convoy. Eighteen Hurricanes from Nos. 87, 238, 501, and 601 Squadrons were scrambled and met the enemy aircraft over Portland. Four Bf 110s and two Ju 87s were shot down. Another Ju 87 was damaged and force-landed at St-Inglevert. The 530-ton patrol vessel HMS Warrior II was sunk.

    At 1715 hours, twelve He 111 bombers from KG 51 and KG 55, escorted by twelve Bf 110s from III/ZG 76, appeared heading for Portsmouth. Hurricanes from Nos. 601 and 145 Squadrons intercepted and shot down three bombers. Two Hurricanes were also lost including one that was hit by “friendly” AA fire. A number of He 111s evaded RAF fighters and bombed Portsmouth dockyard, sinking three barges and damaging the French destroyer Savorgnam De Brazza. Bombs also fell on the city, killing 19 civilians and injuring 26.

    German Losses
    Airmen: 41 | Aircraft: 17

    British Losses
    Airmen: 3 | Aircraft: 6

    Hurricane P2485, No. 501 Squadron. Aircraft lost at sea.
    Sgt F.J.P Dixon drowned. Hit by gunfire from Bf 109 of III/JG 27 ten miles off Portland. Baled out but search failed to find any trace of pilot.
    Battle of Britain London Monument - Sgt. F J P Dixon

    Spitfire L1095, No. 609 Squadron. Aircraft lost at sea.
    P/O G.T.M. Mitchell drowned. Shot down in combat by Bf 109 over Channel off Portland protecting convoy. Body later washed ashore at Newport I.O.W.
    Battle of Britain London Monument - P/O G T M Mitchell

    Spitfire L1069 No. 609 Squadron. Aircraft lost at sea.
    F/L P.H. Barran died of burns. Shot down in combat by Bf 109 over convoy in Channel off Portland. Baled out. Pilot was rescued but died on rescue boat.
    Battle of Britain London Monument - F/Lt. P H Barran

    Thursday 11 July 1940 | The Battle of Britain Historical Timeline
     
  12. CL1

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

    FRIDAY JULY 12th 1940

    THE WEATHER:

    Heavy rain periods in the north with 8/10ths cloud but clearing as the day wears on. In the south-east there was low cloud, occasional showers with thunderstorms but clearing by the afternoon, while in the west the early morning cloud cleared to give way to sunny periods.
    OPERATIONS IN DETAIL:

    Most of the action took place off the Essex and Suffolk coastline. He111 and Do17 bombers were targeting some of the merchant shipping along one of Britain's busy trade routes. The Hurricanes of 85 Squadron (Martlesham Heath) were up early after enemy aircraft had been spotted off the coast near Harwich possibly attacking the merchant convoy code named "Booty". More Do17 and He111 bombers were detected and 151 Squadron (Hurricanes, North Weald) and 17 Squadron (Hurricanes, Debden) were scrambled.


    Combat just off the East Anglia coast lasted until almost midday with the Hurricanes having accounted for two He111s, Sgt D.Fopp claiming one at 0900hrs and Sgt G.Griffiths claiming one at 0940hrs. A He111 was detected over the North Sea just off the coast near Aberdeen in Scotland where bombers dropped a number of bombs killing 29 people and injuring 100 and was shot down by Spitfires of 603 Squadron and in the late afternoon. Ju88 bombers attacked Exeter and St Eval airfields with one Ju88 being shot down.
    THE CASUALTIES: (July 12th 1940)
    0850hrs. Off Felixstowe. Hurricane P2557. 85 Sqn Martlesham Heath. (Lost at sea)
    Sgt L. Jowitt Missing believed drowned. (Hit by gunfire from He111 from 11/KG53 off Felixstowe. Crashed into sea)
    0945hrs. Off Burnham (Essex). Hurricane P3275. 151 Sqn North Weald. (Lost at sea)
    F/O J.H.L. Allen. Missing believed drowned. (Hit in engine by gunfire from Do17 off Orfordness. Crashed into sea) 1545hrs. Off Portland. Hurricane P3084. 501 Sqn Middle Wallop. (Lost at sea)
    P/O D.A. Hewitt. Missing believed drowned. (Hit by gunfire while attacking Do17 off Portland. Crashed into sea)
    Time N/A. Biggin Hill. Spitfire P9502. 610 Sqn Biggin Hill. (Aircraft destroyed)
    Sgt S. Ireland. Killed. (Believed his aircraft went out of control during diving practice)

    July 2nd - July24th 1940
     
  13. CL1

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

  14. RAFCommands

    RAFCommands Senior Member

    This was what was planned by the RAF to be thrown against German landings on the south coast.

    Operation Banquet - Wikipedia

    "On 13 July 1940, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command was ordered to plan to make the maximum practical number of aircraft available for operations.[3] The plan was called Operation Banquet and was divided into several operations that could be enacted independently. In Banquet 6 Group, Bomber Command decided to use the aircraft of 6 Group (the Group Pool units, not the later Royal Canadian Air Force) as conventional replacements in the front-line squadrons. Banquet 22 Group would move certain 22 Group (Army Cooperation) aircraft into conventional Bomber Command squadrons. Somewhat desperate were Banquet Alert which called for the employment of Fleet Air Arm training aircraft under Coastal Command and Banquet Training which called for the absorption of aircraft from RAF Training Command into the operational striking force of Bomber Command.[3] Aircraft allocated under Banquet would, in many cases, lack bombsights, armour protection, guns and self-sealing fuel tanks. While these were to be fitted where possible, RAF instructions made it clear that no aircraft was to be considered unfit for want of such niceties; anything that could fly and drop bombs would suffice.[4]

    Early in July, about 1,000 aircraft, from Tiger Moths to Wellington bombers, at training schools, were ready for anti-invasion operations, with hope of another 1,000 aircraft when the scheme was complete.[5] The use of slow aircraft for ground attack operations was not without precedent, Netherlands Fokker C.Xs, German Henschel Hs 123 and British Hawker Hector biplanes had operated on the continent without unsustainable losses; against advanced troops without time to establish adequate air defences, slow, highly manoeuvrable aircraft could make accurate ground attacks and escape destruction.[6] Ground crews would go with their aircraft and in some cases this would have involved civilian volunteers.[7] The air crew for Banquet Alert and Training would be the experienced instructors as well as those students that had reached "a reasonably satisfactory standard of training".[4]"

    Was not officially cancelled until Oct 1943.

    Ross
     
  15. CL1

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

    SUNDAY JULY 14th 1940

    THE WEATHER:
    Fair, with high cloud.

    OPERATIONS IN BRIEF:

    As the convoy "Bread" continued its journey in the Channel, it again became the target for the Luftwaffe but were continually being harassed by fighters and most bombs missed the merchant ships. The Luftwaffe attacked another convoy making its way through the Dover Straits and 74 Squadron Hornchurch (Spitfires), 111 Squadron Croydon (Hurricanes) and 615 Squadron Kenley (Hurricanes) intercepted. A description of the air combat was verbally captured by the BBC's Charles Gardner and broadcast to the nation:

    Click on the Real Player icon below to download a copy of the sound file to your computer so that you can play it on your own media player.
    [​IMG]
    Charles Gardner's broadcast (July 14th 1940)
    For a full text version of Charles Gardner's commentary see [ Document-23 ]
    Manston received some damage in an attack, but an attack on a destroyer in Swanage Harbour done no damage except causing a lot of sea spray and water spouts.

    THE CASUALTIES: (July 14th 1940)
    1530hrs.
    Dover. Hurricane L1584. 615 Squadron Kenley. (Crashed into sea)
    P/O M.R. Mudie Died of injuries. (Baled out badly injured, rescued by Navy, died on July 15th 1940)Battle of Britain London Monument - P/O M R Mudie
    July 2nd - July24th 1940
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2021
  16. CL1

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

    THE CASUALTIES: (July 15th 1940)
    There were none recorded on this day.
    July 2nd - July24th 1940

    The Battle of Britain, which raged between July and October 1940, pitted the Royal Air Force against the German Luftwaffe in a duel for air superiority over southern England. Pilots on both sides were at the controls of some of the most iconic aircraft in aviation history, including the Spitfire, Hurricane and Messerschmitt Bf 109.

    Here are 9 iconic aircraft of the Battle of Britain:


    9 Iconic Aircraft From The Battle Of Britain
     
    gash hand likes this.
  17. RAFCommands

    RAFCommands Senior Member

    THE CASUALTIES: (July 15th 1940)
    There were none recorded on this day.

    Really?

    The site you quote confuses loss of aircraft and loss of life.

    THE CASUALTIES: (July 14th 1940)
    1530hrs.
    Dover. Hurricane L1584. 615 Squadron Kenley. (Crashed into sea)
    P/O M.R. Mudie Died of injuries. (Baled out badly injured, rescued by Navy, died on July 15th 1940)

    Ross
     
  18. CL1

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

    The assumption is that no casualties from air combat on that day thats how I read it
     
  19. CL1

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

    Adolf Hitler, War Directive No 16, 16 July 1940
    Following Hitler’s War Directive No 16, on 17th July the Luftwaffe began daylight bombing raids. With greater frequency and in larger numbers, the aircraft of Luftflotten 2 and 3 ranged over the English Channel, Straits of Dover and South-East Coast, bombing and mining shipping convoys, ports, shipping lanes and coastal airfields. Some attacks probed inland, to force the RAF to fly up and fight and wear it down. This was accompanied by a stepped-up bombing campaign of spasmodic night attacks on the West, Midlands, and East Coast, RAF facilities and the aircraft industry.



    The Battle of Britain Phase Two | History of the Battle of Britain | Exhibitions & Displays | Research | RAF Museum
     
  20. CL1

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

    The Phases of Battle
    July 2nd - July24th 1940

    It has always been a point of controversy as to how many phases there were in the Battle of Britain. At least in Britain all historians agree that the Battle of Britain commenced on July 10th 1940. Like a book that is broken into chapters, the Battle of Britain was broken up into phases, with each phase depicting a different approach to combat attack and defence. Some historians claim that there were four phases in the battle while others make claim to it consisting of five. Officially, there are no official phases, those listed in the many historical reference books on the battle, are how the author/s see the Battle of Britain from their own perspective.


    Richard Townshend Bickers in Battle Diary - Battle of Britain claims that there were four phases.
    Phase 1: Aug 8 - Aug 18. Phase 2: Aug 19 - Sept 5. Phase 3: Sept 6 - Oct 5. Phase 4: Oct 6 - 31.
    Norman Franks in Fighter Command Losses also claims there were four phases but with different dates.
    Phase 1: July 10 - Aug 7. Phase 2: Aug 8 - Sept 6. Phase 3: Sept 7 - 30. Phase 4: Oct 1 - Oct 31.

    Derek Wood & Derek Dempster in the Narrow Margin claim that there were five phases.
    Phase 1: July 10-Aug 7. Phase 2: Aug 8-23. Phase 3: Aug 24-Sept 6. Phase 4: Sept 7-30. Phase 5: Oct 1-31.

    Len Deighton in Fighter-The True Story of The Battle of Britain claims four phases.
    Phase 1: July 10 - Aug 11. Phase 2: Aug 12 - 23. Phase 3: Aug 24 - Sept 6. Phase 4: Sept 7 - 15.

    John Ray, Battle of Britain - New Perspectives uses only three phases in his book.
    Phase 1: July 10 - Aug 18. Phase 2: Aug 19 - Sept 7. Phase 3. Sept 7 - Oct 16.



    All these authorities have excellent reasons for quoting the dates as they have done, and after reading their material I can see good reason as to why they have quoted the above dates in their books. I agree with John Ray in his statement that did the battle begin either in late June or the fall of France because airmen killed or wounded from those dates to what is regarded as the first day of the battle on July 10th 1940 were not regarded as to have taken part. My own opinion is that Germany turned their attentions to attack and invade Britain as soon as the battle of France was over, and as Winston Churchill announced "The Battle of France is over, I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin". And he was right.


    The following phases are broken into the different tactics and scenarios that took place between the official dates of the Battle of Britain and these compare favorably with the dates suggested by Norman Franks and are also very close to the dates given by Wood and Dempster with the exception that they have broken phase two into two phases, which is understandable because phase two was an exceptionally hard phase on the Royal Air Force.
    Phase 1. (July 10th - August 7th 1940) Attacks on the Channel Convoys.

    The bulk of attacks were in the south where the Luftwaffe went on probing attacks on British shipping in the English Channel and in the outer Thames Estuary. Smaller raids, and a number of German reconnaissance aircraft were spotted along the east coast while other nuisance raids took place in the north. During this phase, London remained unscathed, in fact many Londoner's went about their business as usual as if there was no war on at all, the only reminder that their country was at war was the AA gun emplacements, the barrage balloons, an occasional searchlight and of course purchasing restrictions and the supply of Anderson Shelters to the majority of backyards and gardens.


    Most of these attacks in the Channel were on the merchant convoys conveying much needed coal, raw materials, machinery and foodstuffs to Britain. By sinking these merchant ships Germany would deny the British people of the various commodities required just for their sheer existence. But at the same time, by attacking these channel convoys, it was hoped that it would draw out the British fighters from their bases. This way the Luftwaffe could analyze the strength of the RAF, determine the speed and efficiency that the RAF could deploy its squadrons, in other words, Germany was testing the efficiency and strength of the Royal Air Force and it was hoped that the Luftwaffe would destroy the RAF in the air.


    Spasmodic bombing raids continued throughout this first phase on such places as Portsmouth, Falmouth, Swansea, Newcastle and Merseyside, but these raids were not consistent like the channel convoy raids.
    Phase 2. (August 8th - September 6th 1940) Attacks of RAF Airfields

    The attacks on shipping continued, but after the failure to draw and destroy Fighter Command in the air, Germany's tactics were to now bomb and destroy RAF airfields in southern and south-east England and to obliterate the radar stations along the south coast. It was during this phase, that German intelligence reported back to Berlin that the RAF total strength had now been seriously depleted and that with continued attacks the Luftwaffe would have command of the skies over the Channel and in Southern England.


    Hitler then issued his directive No.16 which would put "Operation Sealion", the invasion of Britain into operation. This second phase was all important to Germany, as it had to destroy the RAF both in the air and on the ground if any attempt at an invasion crossing of the Channel was to be a success. It was during this phase that Fighter Command was stretched to the limit.
    Phase 3. (September 7th - September 30th 1940) Bombing of London, Major Cities & Airfields

    The first bombing attacks on the City of London started the third phase of the battle. Attacks by massed formations of bombers never before seen in the skies escorted by twice as many fighters brought the war now closer than ever to the residents of the great capital. Heavy bomb concentrations of the industrial factories and the dock areas of London's "East End" turned the eastern entry to the city a huge fireball on both sides of the River Thames.


    The Luftwaffe theory was that with mass bombing raids, they could inflict severe damage to the city and lower the moral and strength of the people while at the same time eliminate the last of the remaining fighters of Fighter Command. Further attacks on RAF airfields would continue although on a lesser scale than in phase two, but the daylight bombing of London would continue until the end of the month, where it would give way to heavy night bombing that was planned to continue for as long as it takes, or until the city and its people were bombed into submission.
    Phase 4. (October 1st - October 31st 1940) Concentrated Night Bombing Tactics

    The night raids continued with Hitler's planned invasion in tatters. Throughout September he kept the thrust of his heavy bombers mainly on London, but many other industrial centres suffered as well, but at a high attrition rate to the Luftwaffe. They continued to suffer heavier losses than the RAF and this they could not afford to do.


    The earlier plan to destroy Fighter Command had failed miserably, still the British fighters defended their capital even though considerable damage was being done, so in late September "Operation Sealion" was canceled.


    The night bombing raids continued thought October, mainly in desperation, and in the hope that the RAF would falter, but all the Luftwaffe was doing was losing more aircraft and losing more and more aircrews.


    By October 31st, the skies were all quiet as Germany directed its efforts towards Russia. But night bombing attacks on London and other cities and industrial centres was to continue.




    But the German Luftwaffe saw it a little differently. They do agree that the Battle of Britain commenced on July 10th 1940, but they insist that the battle was fought not in four stages, but six stating that the night of the heavy bombing raid on London on the night of May 10th and 11th 1941 finalized the Battle of Britain. The dates of the first four phases are very similar to those recorded by Britain, but they added a fifth phase that took place from November 1st 1940 to February 8th 1941 calling it the "End of the Air Battle". A sixth phase was also added between February 9th and continued until May 11th 1941 being termed as an appendix to the main battle. In theory they may be correct, but the Battle of Britain was all about the Luftwaffe attempt to making an all out attack on Britain by first annihilating the RAF from the skies.


    There was no way that Germany could effectively make an invasion of Britain without first destroying its defences. The Luftwaffe had, at all costs wipe out the two main defences that Britain possessed which was the first part of Hitler's plan of the invasion of Great Britain code named Operation Sea-Lion, these were the radar stations along the south coast of England and most importantly, the Royal Air Force both in the air and on the ground. It was this period of time between August 8th and October 31st 1940 that the Luftwaffe tried in vain to break the heart of the RAF, but without success.


    Come October 31st, there was an erie and strange quiet, the skies were empty, the airfields were waiting patiently for another attack, but it never came, the courage and the determination of not only the gallant aircrew, but all those that kept them in the air, those that directed them to their attackers had terminated the German first phase of the invasion of Britain. It was on this day that Germany had to change tactics and their plan now was to destroy the hearts of the British people by the constant bombing of British cities and towns. It was on this day, October 31st 1940 that the Royal Air Force ripped the heart out the German Luftwaffe and officially ended that final phase of the invasion of England, the Battle of Britain was now over.


    But strangely enough, the the first air attacks of July 1940 took place, not over England, but way down in the Mediterranean. Italian bombers had been seen at two locations, one just off the coast of Malta, and the other just north of Sidi Barrani close to the Egyptian border. The weather was said to be very warm with cloudless blue skies, which was in stark contrast to the weather pattern over England and the English Channel where it was stormy with heavy rain and thunderstorms.


    [​IMG]
    Charles Gardner's broadcast (July 14th 1940)
    For a full text version of Charles Gardner's commentary see [ Document-23 ]
    Manston received some damage in an attack, but an attack on a destroyer in Swanage Harbour done no damage except causing a lot of sea spray and water spouts.

    THE CASUALTIES: (July 14th 1940)
    1530hrs. Dover. Hurricane L1584. 615 Squadron Kenley. (Crashed into sea)
    P/O M.R. Mudie Died of injuries. (Baled out badly injured, rescued by Navy, died on July 15th 1940)



    MONDAY JULY 15th 1940

    THE WEATHER:
    Low cloud persisted most of the day with occasional heavy rain.

    OPERATIONS IN BRIEF:

    Not the most ideal weather conditions for flying, and neither side saw, or undertook much activity. The Luftwaffe made a few reconnaissance missions over the North Sea and the English Channel. The convoy "Pilot" was making its way through the Thames Estuary when spotted by the German reconnaissance aircraft and its position and course were radioed back to German HQ. By late-morning the weather had broken up enough for 15 Do17 bombers of KG2 to take off for an intended attack on the convoy.


    1130hrs (11.30am): A number of He111 bombers were attacking industrial and dock areas along the Scottish coast.
    603 Squadron Dyce (Spitfires) intercepted and avoided any major damage, although quite a number of bombs fell causing only minor damage. A He111 of 2/KG26 was shot down at 1212hrs which crashed into the sea.


    1350hrs (1.50pm): A number of German bombers made an attack on an aircraft works at Yeovil in Somerset in the west of England. One of the runways received slight damage, as did one of the hangars and a number of craters appeared, but damage was kept to a minimum. 213 Squadron Exeter (Hurricanes) intercepted and one Hurricane was shot down although the pilot baled out. Interception was also made by 92 Squadron Pembrey (Spitfires) in which the Luftwaffe lost one Ju88 and another damaged.


    1415hrs (2.15pm): Through broken cloud and rain squalls a Dornier formation arrived over the convoy "Pilot" but Fighter command had 'seen' them coming and scrambled 56 Squadron North Weald (Hurricanes) and 151 Squadron North Weald (Hurricanes) to meet them before the Dorniers had time to attack the convoy. Although some attempted an attack, they were turned around without causing any damage. Once the attack was aborted, the Hurricanes returned to base without scoring.


    Casualties were light on both sides, in fact the RAF suffered more aircraft damaged or lost in flying accidents than they did on operational sorties. Some were damaged in heavy landings, another crashed in inclement weather whilst attempting to land and another crashed into a accumulator trolley while taxiing into a hangar.
    THE CASUALTIES: (July 15th 1940)
    There were none recorded on this day.



    TUESDAY JULY 16TH - WEDNESDAY JULY 24TH 1940

    THE WEATHER:

    The weather played an important part in activities during this time. One day it was heavy fog, not clearing until about midday, another day it was very dull with occasional heavy rain, then when things started to brighten up, the cloud rolled in again and rain became widespread.
    THE OPERATIONS IN BRIEF:

    Operations were according to the weather pattern. On the 16th, late in the afternoon when clearing conditions prevailed, 601 Squadron (Spitfires) intercepted an enemy formation and a Ju88 was shot down over the Isle of Wight. Again the east coast of Scotland came under attack and bombing occurred at Fraserburgh and Peterhead and 603 Squadron Dyce (Spitfires) shot down one He111. Next day, on the 17th, Scotland's industrial east was bombed, as was the city of Bristol, but on the 18th, with improved flying conditions, a number of channel ports came under attack and things started to 'hot up' off the coast near Dover. What could be described as a major dog-fight off the coast at Beachy Head, fifteen Spitfires of 152 Squadron Warmwell and 610 Squadron Biggin Hill came into contact with about thirty Bf109s over the channel. 152 had two aircraft damaged, but 610 lost one Spitfire over Calais. 235 and 236 Squadrons lost six aircrew between them when three Blenheims were shot down over the French coast that ended a bad day for the RAF.


    The 19th was a disastrous day for the RAF. 141 Squadron Biggin Hill (Defiants) twelve of which had just recently arrived within 11 Group from Turnhouse and on this day had flown from West Malling to operate out of Hawkinge. They took off on routine patrol at 1232hrs, ordered to patrol a line just south of Folkestone at 5,000 feet. Three of the aircraft had aborted the patrol because of engine malfunctions. At 1300hrs, the nine Defiants were patrolling in the middle of the English Channel, it was obvious that they were unaware of 16 Bf109 flying "up sun" and were were unexpectedly jumped on without any warning by the Bf109s of JG51 led by Oberleutnant Hannes Trautloft. One by one the RAF fighters fell from the sky into the channel, being no match for the far superior Bf109 (the Defiant could only attack and defend itself from the sides and the rear, as it had no forward facing guns). Six Defiants were shot down in rapid succession while three just managed to make it back to Hawkinge, thanks to the intervention of 111 Squadron Northolt (Hurricanes) while one Bf109 was severely damaged and crashed on landing back at its base. Serious thought was now to be given as to the future of the Defiant in the role of a front line fighter.


    By the 20th, the Luftwaffe again continued attacks on coastal shipping and convoys in the channel. They were hoping that their efforts would draw RAF Fighter Command into combat over the open waters, but this was not to happen. Keith Park would not be a part of contemplating aerial warfare at great distances from the fighter bases. So, many convoys came under attack, and many dogfights took place over the channel and as close as possible to the English coast. 32 Squadron Biggin Hill (Hurricanes) were providing air cover for a channel convoy when attacked by Ju87s and Bf109s with the loss of two Hurricanes. 238 Squadron Middle Wallop (Hurricanes) were also busy over Swanage, 65 Squadron Hornchurch (Spitfires) had also engaged the enemy off the French coast destroying a Bf109, while 56 Squadron North Weald (Hurricanes) destroyed a Ju88 off the Essex coast. Up north, a Do17 was shot down by 603 Squadron (Spitfires) off the coast at Aberdeen.


    The 21st was again not much different to any other day, the attacks by the Luftwaffe at this time were following a constant pattern and with little variance. Again, Do17s attacked shipping off the Scottish coast with one from 1/606 destroyed. A Do17 on reconnaissance was shot down by Hurricanes of 238 Squadron Middle Wallop and the squadron also destroyed a Bf110, both in the Hampshire region, and at 1350hrs 238 Squadron also badly damaged a Me110 off Portland that eventually crashed in France.


    Although the weather improved on the 22nd, activity was light. Occasional attacks on Channel shipping occurred, but little damage was done. Two Hurricanes of 145 Squadron Tangmere attacked a lone Do17 off Selsey Bill and it crashed into the Channel after accurate firing from F/L A.H.Boyd and P/O A.N.C Weir.


    Tactics changed on the 23rd, as the Channel was almost free of all shipping movements. Dowding had earlier suggested that convoys use the east coast route, go around the top of Scotland and head out into the Atlantic from there. The reason was that convoys were becoming to easy a target for the Luftwaffe conveniently positioned all along the French coast. The other advantage of this, was that any attacking bombers would not have the luxury of fighter escort as the distance would be too great from any of their bases. Although a number of convoys did enter the Atlantic via the Shetlands, convoys still navigated the Channel.


    German bombing attacks took place at a number of British towns on the 24th. Houses were damaged in the usually quiet suburb of Walton-on-Thames, the aircraft factories at Weybridge were attacked as was Brooklands airfield by a Ju88 pretending to come into land. But the day will be remembered as the day that the seaside town of Margate had a grandstand view of the Battle of Britain. At 0755hrs, an enemy formation had been detected coming in from the German coast and heading towards a convoy in the Thames Estuary. Fighter Command scrambled 54 Squadron Hornchurch (Spitfires) that was using Rochford at 0815hrs to make an interception. 64 Squadron Kenley (Spitfires) also intercepted. No German aircraft were shot down, but 54 Squadron had three Spitfires shot down by accurate gunfire from the Dorniers. At about 1100hrs, another enemy formation was detected heading for the Thames Estuary.


    Again, 54 Squadron Hornchurch was dispatched. On reaching the formation, F/L A.L.Deere leading one of the sections reported back to his sector controller that the formation consisted of about 18 Do17s and forty plus Bf109s and requested immediate assistance. 65 Squadron Hornchurch (Spitfires) was scrambled to assist as was 610 Squadron Biggin Hill (Spitfires) that was based at Gravesend. The ensuing battle in the skies took place almost over the town of Margate. Dorniers diving low and pulling out at almost sea level attempting to avoid the Spitfires almost touched the rooftops of seaside hotels, Spitfires being chased by Bf109s weaved about in all directions in the sky above. A Bf109 was shot down by one of the Spitfires and its pilot baled out but his parachute failed to open and his pilotless aircraft smashed into a quiet avenue in residential Margate. Another Bf109 of III/JG26 was hit and had to make a forced landing just outside the town, the pilot, seriously injured was taken prisoner. A Spitfire of 54 Squadron was hit by gunfire from a Bf109 and nearly crashed into the town centre of Margate, but the pilot managed to regain a little height and clear the township, but crashed in a ball of flame at nearby Cliftonville. Two other Spitfires, both from 54 Squadron crashed after being hit by gunfire from enemy fighters.


    As the melee moved towards Dover, four Bf109s were shot down including Adolph Galland to conclude a disastrous period for the Luftwaffe. Four days earlier, Major Riegel Gruppe Kommandeur of I/JG 27 was killed, as was Staffelkapitaen Oblt Keidel of 8/JG 52, then Major Werner Molders was shot down, and severely wounded and was hospitalized for over a month.
    THE CASUALTIES:
    July 16th 1940
    0050hrs: Church Fenton. Hurricane P2995. 249 Sqn Church Fenton. (Aircraft destroyed)
    Sgt A.D.W. Main. Killed. (Engine cut out during take off from base airfield)

    July 17th 1940
    Time N/A: Location unknown. Spitfire K9916. (Aircraft lost)
    F/O C.D. Peel. Certified as missing. (Failed to return from an operational flight)

    July 18th 1940
    1000hrs: Off Essex coast. Blenheim N3541. 235 Sqn Bircham Newton. (Aircraft lost)
    P/O R.L. Patterson. Certified as missing. and
    Sgt R.Y. Tucker. Certified as missing. and
    Sgt L.H.M. Reece. Certified as missing. (Failed to return from operational flight)
    1000hrs: Off Calais. Spitfire P9452. 610 Sqn Biggin Hill. (Aircraft destroyed)
    P/O P. Litchfield Killed. (Shot down by Bf109 over Channel. Body never recovered)
    1215hrs: Le Havre. Blenheim L6779 236 Sqn Thorney Island. (Aircraft destroyed)
    P/O C.R.D. Thomas. Killed. and
    Sgt H.D.B. Elsdon. Killed. (Shot down during photo-recon mission over Le Havre France)
    1215hrs: Le Havre. Blenheim L6639 236 Sqn Thorney Island. (Aircraft destroyed)
    P/O R.H. Rigby. Killed. and
    Sgt D.D. Mackinnon. Killed. (Shot down by Bf109 during photo-recon mission over Le Havre France)

    July 19th 1940
    1245hrs: Dover. Defiant L7009. 141 Sqn Hawkinge. (Aircraft destroyed)
    F/Lt I.D.G. Donald. Killed.
    P/O A.C. Hamilton. Killed. (Shot down by Bf109 and crashed into residential street in Dover)
    1245hrs: Off Dover. Defiant L6974 141 Sqn Hawkinge. (Aircraft lost at sea)
    P/O J.R. Kemp. Certified as missing.
    Sgt R. Crombie. Certified as missing. (Crashed into Channel after being shot down by Bf109)
    1245hrs: Off Dover. Defiant L6995 141 Sqn Hawkinge. (Aircraft lost at sea)
    P/O R.A. Howley. Certified as missing.
    Sgt A.G. Curley. Certified as missing. (Crashed into Channel after being shot down by Bf109)
    1245hrs: Off Dover. Defiant L7015 141 Sqn Hawkinge. (Aircraft lost at sea)
    P/O R. Kidson. Certified as missing.
    Sgt F.P.J. Atkins. Killed. (Crashed into Channel after being shot down by Bf109)
    1245hrs: Off Dover. Defiant L7016 141 Sqn Hawkinge. (Aircraft lost at sea)
    P/O D.M. Slatter. Certified as missing. (Crashed into Channel after being shot down by Bf109) (Pilot wounded)
    1245hrs: Off Dover. Defiant L6983 141 Sqn Hawkinge. (Aircraft damaged)
    Sgt J.F. Wise. Certified as missing. (Damage sustained by Bf109. Sgt Wise baled out over Channel but pilot managed to get aircraft base) For some reason Sgt Wise is officially recorded as giving his life on Aug 19th.
    1715hrs: Off Selsey Bill. Hurricane 43 Sqn Tangmere. (Aircraft lost at sea)
    Sgt J.A. Buck. Drowned. (Hit by gunfire from Bf109, baled out over Channel)

    July 20th 1940
    1315hrs: Off Swanage. Hurricane P3766, 238 Sqn Middle Wallop. (Aircraft lost at sea)
    Sgt C. Parkinson. Died of Injuries 21.06.40 (Baled out after being shot down by Bf109. Rescued by ship)
    1630hrs: Lyme Bay (Dorset). Hurricane P3082, 501 Sqn Middle Wallop. (Aircraft lost at sea)
    P/O E.J.H. Sylvester. Certified as missing. (Damaged by Bf109 off Cherbourg, crashed approaching coast)
    1635hrs: Swanage. Spitfire K9880, 152 Sqn Warmwell. (Aircraft lost at sea)
    P/O N.H. Posener Certified as missing. (Crashed into Channel after being hit by gunfire from Bf109)
    1800hrs: Off Dover. Hurricane N2670, 32 Sqn Biggin Hill. (Aircraft lost at sea)
    Sub/Lt G.G.R. Bulmer. Certified as missing. (Hit by gunfire from Bf109 and crashed into Channel)
    1800hrs: Sth of Isle of Wight. Hurricane P3964, 43 Sqn Tangmere. (Aircraft lost at sea)
    F/O J.F.J. Haworth. Certified as missing. (Shot down while investigating E/A, baled out over Channel)
    1820hrs: Off Cherbourg. Blenheim L1300, 236 Sqn Thorney Island. (Aircraft lost at sea)
    Sgt W.E. Lockton. Certified as missing. and
    Sgt H. Corcoran. Certified as missing. (Shot down by Bf109 during escort mission. Crashed into Channel)
    Time N/A: Grangemouth. Hurricane P2917, 263 Sqn Grangemouth. (Aircraft destroyed)
    P/O A.R. Downer Died of Injuries 21.06.40 (Crashed while making a forced landing at base)

    July 21st 1940
    1515hrs: Sth of Isle of Wight. Hurricane P3973, 43 Sqn Tangmere. (Aircraft destroyed)
    P/O R.A. DeMancha Certified as missing. (Collided with Bf109 and crashed into Channel)

    July 22nd 1940
    1735hrs: Castle Camps. Hurricane P3895, 85 Sqn Martlesham Heath. (Aircraft destroyed)
    P/O J.L. Bickerdike Killed. (Crashed on approach to Castle Camps satellite airfield)

    July 24th 1940
    1230hrs: Margate. Spitfire R6812, 54 Sqn Rochford. (Aircraft destroyed)
    F/O J.L. Allen Killed. (Engine damaged in combat with Bf109, but losing height crashed in township)
    1410hrs: North Weald. Hurricane P3316, 151 Sqn North Weald. (Aircraft destroyed)
    P/O J.R. Hamar Killed. (Stalled aircraft at 500ft and crashed nose first on aerodrome)
     
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