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Day 80 – 27th September 1940

Monday, September 27th, 2010

Weather: fair with some rain.

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

Blenheim – 53
Spitfire – 214
Hurricane – 391
Defiant – 19
Gladiator – 7
Total – 684

The first main attack this day was by Me110s, acting as bombers accompanied by a large number of Me109s. The plan was for the Me109s, having escorted their charges, to remain over the capital and provide cover for a second wave of bombers Do17s and Ju88s. The plan misfired. The bombers came on alone. The Me109s with their fuel running low made for home. The bombers were intercepted by the RAF fighters. The same combination of aircraft attacked aircraft works at Filton and Yeovil.

Later that day, 80 German aircraft flew towards Bristol but were intercepted and forced to drop their bombs on the suburbs. Around midday nearly 300 aircraft made for London but most got no further than mid Kent having been intercepted by a number of 11 Group squadrons.
Eventually, some 20 aircraft made it to the centre of London. The day had been full of action. The RAF had shot down 54 German aircraft and had lost 28 themselves.

303 Squadron Operational Record Book – 27 September
09:00 hours
11 Hurricanes left Northolt at 09:00hours. Squadron working with No. 1 Canadian Squadron were sent out and encountered the enemy in the Horsham area at 15,000 feet. The enemy consisted of 30 He111 protected by 50 to 60 Me109s. Bombers in vics of 3 line astern stepped up behind. It was noticed that the majority of the He111s had a vertical white stripe on the tail fin and from a distance they gave the impression of friendly aircraft. The squadron attacked the bombers from astern and were themselves engaged by enemy fighters which fled in disorder. In the meantime the bombers had wheeled and were heading south and the squadron went in to attack from astern. Vics of bombers maintained formation throughout, closing up when one or more were shot down. Other Hurricanes came in to attack the bombers and immediately afterwards the squadron noticed about 40 Do17s approaching head on in single line astern formation supported by Me109s above. Upon going in to attack the bombers formed a defensive circle and the enemy fighters formed a similar circle above. Only one pilot attacked Hes and Dos and succeeded in shooting one down on land. Two other squadrons of Hurricanes came in and attacked the Dos as far as is known broke them up and inflicted heavy casualties. Our fighter did not follow down the individual e/a claimed as destroyed but it is believed that almost all were shot down on land.
Enemy casualties: 4 Me109, 4 He111, 1 Do17, 1 Me 110 – destroyed
1 Me109 – probable, 1 He111 damaged.
Our casualties: FO Paszkiewicz crashed at Borough Green, pilot killed in the air. Sgt. Andruszkow crashed at Cowden, pilot killed in air. FO Zak baled out near Leatherhead and taken to Leatherhead Hospital suffering from burns to face and hands. 1 Hurricane cat. 3.
As on 26 September, just before going in to attack the Squadron received orders on the R/T “apany leader pancake”. This was not given by controllers at this station but was given in good English and in an authoritative manner.

249 Squadron Operational Record Book – 27 September
3 very successful sorties carried out with 46 Squadron. Our casualties were POs Burton and Meaker killed. Although 2 of our most gallant comrades were lost, to-day was a glorious day in the history of the Squadron. From reports later received it appears that PO Meaker attacked a close formation of 5 Ju88s on his own and his aircraft was completely shot up by the heavy cross fire from the cannons now fitted in the rear of these aircraft. From reports from the Hailsham district Observer Corps, it appears that PO Burton has been attacking an Me110 for some time and was seen to climb above it and dive down on to it, he rammed it and cut it’s tail off and both aircraft crashed. PO A G Lewis, DFC on this day destroyed 6 aircraft himself and was subsequently ordered a bar to his DFC.
Enemy casualties: 21 destroyed, 6 probable, 3 damaged.

266 Squadron Operational Record Book – 27 September
Squadron ordered to patrol in Duxford Wing and investigate activity North Weald-Biggin Hill area as near cloud base as possible (17,000 feet). No enemy aircraft or AA fire seen. Another wing of Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft seen over Sheppey area. Wing was then ordered to return and land at Duxford.

Cyril Shoesmith, 14 years old, Bexhill-on-Sea, Diary – Friday 27 September
The next raid came at 3pm. We heard heavy machine-gun fire and 4 bombers came over the trees. As they came closer we could see six fighters on their tail. One of the German bombers had been set alight by our fighters for there was black smoke pouring out of its tail. We watched them until they were out of sight heading towards Galley Hill. Three of the Germans were shot down in the sea. Many fighters circled round and a formation of 24 went over. There was more machine gun fire and the “raiders passed” came at 4.10. At 11.30 there was a raid which ended at 6.15am.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 27th September 1940):

* Enemy: 133 confirmed, 55 probable, 52 damaged
* Own: 27 aircraft with 18 pilots killed or missing.

Today’s theme: The Squadrons – 601 Squadron

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Day 68 – 15th September 1940

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

Battle of Britain Day
Weather: fine

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

Blenheim – 47
Spitfire – 192
Hurricane – 389
Defiant – 24
Gladiator – 8
Total – 660

Weather wise this was finally the opportunity the Luftwaffe had been waiting for. Accordingly, in mid-morning the radar along the south coast picked up evidence of mass raids which duly appeared over southern England heading for London. All three groups, 10, 11 and 12 in southern England now played their part in intercepting the incoming armada. There were no less than 30 squadrons who were engaged in intercepting and contesting the progress of this vast fleet of German bombers. Furthermore, the latter was accompanied by a very strong force of Me109s. Naturally, despite the aerial battles which developed, substantial damage was done to London. This was partly due to the manner in which the German bombers jettisoned their bombs when under attack.

Bombs fell again on Buckingham Palace. One sergeant pilot who shot down a Do17, from which the German crew managed to parachute to safety, was himself shot down and managed to bale out ending up in a dustbin in Chelsea. Proceedings that day demonstrated beyond doubt that Fighter Command, far from being on the verge of collapse, was on vigorous form. Despite the RAF claiming that it had shot down no less than 183 aircraft, when the actual figure was 56, for a loss of 26 aircraft, the result was almost three to one in the RAF’s favour. For the Germans it was the sheer experience of having to fight their way to London and back when they had been assured that the opposition was almost at an end, that so riled them.

Meanwhile, in the early evening there had been an attack on the Supermarine Spitfire factory near Southampton but this had been driven off by intense anti-aircraft fire.

The significance of this day was, that in terms of publicity, the British had got a wonderful boost to their morale. Everybody in the land had listened to the nine o’clock news on the BBC that night. Although the day had been fine, the weather was in fact breaking up. It was going to be too late to mount an invasion. The Germans had missed the boat. Yet despite the events of these couple of days, Goering was not giving up. Indeed a new plan was announced. It would be a renewed attack on Fighter Command airfields carried out mainly by hoards of Me109s. The RAF, he confidently asserted, would be finished within 4 days. That was what everyone had heard at the beginning of Adler Tag. The weather would last another 6 weeks but the decisive day, which has gone down in history as Battle of Britain day, was on this date the 15th September. Britain had survived the onslaught.

249 Squadron Operational Record Book – 15 September
Squadron patrolled with no. 46 Squadron at 12:00 hours and intercepted 20 Do215s South of London, and carried out a beam attack. Enemy casualties: 1 destroyed, 1 probable and 1 damaged. Our casualties: nil. At 13:40 hours, Squadron again ordered to patrol and intercepted 15 Do215s over South London. A beam attack cracked this formation wide open, the result being that 5 ½ bombers were destroyed and 8 ½ probables and 3 damaged. One reason for this success was that the German fighters failed to do their stuff, probably due to their attention already being diverted by being attacked from above by Spitfires. Further patrol with 46 Squadron carried out over Shellhaven during the evening; nothing seen. This was by far the most successful day in the Squadron’s history.Total to date 185 enemy aircraft destroyed.
Enemy casualties: 8 ½ destroyed, 9 ½ probable, 4 damaged.

73 Squadron Unofficial War Diary – 15 September
At 1445hrs our five serviceable machines took off to investigate an “X” raid near Maidstone. Over 100 EA nearly all bombers, were contacted and the boys waded in. P/O Langham-Hobart set about a Me110 and saw one engine on fire. Sergt Ellis tackled a He111k and damaged it, both of these were highly probable, Sergt Garton damaged a Do17.

News came through later that P/O Roy Marchand had crashed at Sittingbourne, Kent, and was unfortunately killed. No details are available…The task of breaking the news to Mrs Marchand. Roy’s wife, fell to F/Lt Beytagh and P/O Hoole. The whole Squadron mourns the loss of this popular, cheery, happy-go-lucky, but gallant pilot.

Cyril Shoesmith, 14 years old, Bexhill-on-Sea, Diary – Sunday 15 September
The 1st air raid today was from 11.40am-1.10pm. Saw a Hurricane about 12.30, and just before the “all clear” went we saw a squadron of “Hurricanes” and a squadron of “Spitfires”. At 2.45pm the “take cover” was sounded. We saw a German bomber being attacked by 3 Spitfires. Also about 30 German planes in one formation heading towards the sea. A big number of English planes headed towards Eastbourne. The raid lasted 1 hour.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 15th September1940):

* Enemy: 186confirmed, 42 probable, 72 damaged
* Own: 25 aircraft with 13 pilots killed or missing.

Today’s theme: Captains and Commanders - Winston Churchill

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Day 64 – 11th September 1940

Saturday, September 11th, 2010

Weather: fine; some cloud on the south coast

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

Blenheim – 61
Spitfire – 214
Hurricane – 387
Defiant – 21
Gladiator – 8
Total – 691

From mid-afternoon onwards Luftflotte 3 delivered a raid on Southampton. This was followed by several raids on London by Luftflotte 2. As well as hitting London, aircraft attacked Biggin Hill, Kenley and Brooklands. Later that day raids also came in from the Cherbourg peninsula which once again ended up bombing Southampton and Portsmouth. There were also raids by Me109s which attacked Kenley, Detling and a convoy heading its way round the Kent coast. That day the RAF flew 678 sorties and lost 29 aircraft with 17 pilots killed. The Germans lost 25 aircraft.

Meanwhile there was intense speculation concerning the imminence of invasion. All this, however, was conditional on air superiority being achieved. At the same time it was noted by German aircrews that despite the losses inflicted on the RAF, the latter still appeared to have undiminished strength. Victory was still eluding the Luftwaffe.

That night Bomber Command hit French ports and damaged German invasion craft whilst the Luftwaffe continued to target London hitting Crystal Palace station and once again setting the Docks alight.

249 Squadron Operational Record Book – 11 September
Brought to readiness at 16:10 hours and ordered to patrol London Docks and Thames Estuary. Large formations of He111s with fighter escorts intercepted East of London. For the first time, it was possible to carry out a head-on attack, this resulted in 2 He111s being destroyed and 1 probable. Sgt Davis was wounded during this battle and had to bale out at Beneden owing to fire in his aircraft. Squadron patrolled Dover at 18:15 hours, and although a number of enemy fighters were seen high above, it was not possible to make contact. A stick of bombs was seen to fall slap outside the entrance to Dover harbour in the sea but no-one could see the enemy aircraft from which they were dropped.
Enemy casualties: 2 destroyed, 1 probable, 1 damaged

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 11th September 1940):

* Enemy: 89 confirmed, 34 probable, 52 damaged
* Own: 28 aircraft with 17 pilots killed or missing

Today’s theme: Top Gun Gallery – Eric Lock

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Day 60 – 7th September 1940

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

Weather: fair

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

Blenheim – 44
Spitfire – 223
Hurricane – 398
Defiant – 20
Gladiator – 9
Total – 694

A new phase of the Battle was to begin this day. There was a growing frustration, particularly in Luftflotte 2, at the resilience of the RAF under attack. Something had to be done to bring the remaining fighter force up into the sky where it could be overwhelmed by the stronger force of Me109s. How to do this? This meant a fully frontal attack on London itself. The decision was made. It was in a sense a desperate one. Just when the German attacks on RAF airfields close to London were beginning to show considerable results and when Fighter Command was being ground down and was being made less and less efficient by the repeated attacks on its airfields and was suffering serious trouble from the exhaustion of its personnel, especially its pilots, the entire weight of the Luftwaffe was switched to one target, London. Fighter Command was virtually saved at the expense of London itself.

The main reason behind this switch was tactical, but there was another. It was revenge. Hitler and top brass in Berlin had been needled by the nightly visits of British bombers to Berlin and other German cities. They hadn’t been doing much damage but they irritated the hell out of Hitler. Bombing London by day was in his mind a fitting response. Still, the decision to go for London was not entirely Hitler’s. At a meeting of Commanders held in The Hague on September 3rdan argument had broken out between Kesselring and Sperrle about the remaining strength of the RAF fighter force. Kesselring had taken the optimistic view that the RAF was near the end of its tether. One more big air battle would finish it off. Attacking London would precipitate the Battle. Sperrle however was doubtful. He credited the RAF with a much greater strength. But Kesselring won. Preparations for the attack began. For it to actually happen required Hitler’s approval. Hitler readily gave it. If Britain wanted to trade blows, he was happy to oblige.

So the switch of policy by the Luftwaffe could not have come too soon for Fighter Command. The RAF had been losing fighters faster than they could be replaced. 300 had been lost in August against a total replacement figure of 260. Worse still, between August 24thand September 6th, 103 pilots had been killed. The outlook had seemed grim. So as the events of 7th September unfolded and the great armada of German aircraft rolled over southern England towards London, the realisation that miraculous deliverance had in truth arrived must have brought phenomenal relief. It must have been almost unbelievable.

What happened that day can only be explained by the completely different attitude to air warfare by the two countries which were at war. The idea that by an all out effort to bomb London, the British would be brought to their knees shows just how wrong the Germans were. First they underestimated the hold that Churchill had on the country. Secondly they underestimated the morale of Londoners. And thirdly they were putting their money on Kesselring’s optimistic view of the RAF’s strength, rather than on Sperrle’s more conservative view. We shall never know whether if the Luftwaffe had gone on wearing down Fighter Command’s ability to fight on, they might have actually won the battle. What we do know is that the policy of switching their offensive to a strategic attack on London meant that they threw away the chance they might have had of winning the contest.

Goering was never the man to miss the opportunity of exploiting what he saw as the drama of a great victory in battle. He had arrived in northern France to take personal command of what he clearly saw as a truly Wagnerian episode, travelling in his magnificent personal train with its many luxurious appointments. Furthermore he had dressed in a magnificent new uniform. The day had begun with an inspection of fighter pilots at a major Luftwaffe base at St Omer. There he did what he really liked, joking and chatting with the young pilots, having been one of them himself. Then it was off to Cap Gris Nez where a large concentration of top brass had assembled. Refreshments with champagne, of course, were served as they watched no less than 300 bombers, accompanied by 600 Me109s, thundering overhead on their way to the systematic demolition of London.

The Luftwaffe that day certainly had the advantage of surprise. They unloaded a huge tonnage of bombs mixed with incendiaries on London’s docklands. Warehouses full of food went up in flames. Incandescent sugar flowed down the streets. Rows of cheaply constructed Victorian houses collapsed in ruins.There were hundreds of casualties. Keith Park flew in his personal Hurricane over the scene. It was a terrible sight. But what really mattered was that Biggin Hill, Kenley and Manston and his Command were to be saved at the expense of London.

Meanwhile, the result of the Luftwaffe having chosen London as its target meant that Fighter Command was not that day in place to fend off the attack. Nevertheless, some interceptions were made. The most outstanding of these was when 303 Polish Squadron came onto a big group of Dornier 17 bombers flying some 4000 ft beneath them. The squadron dived, line abreast, each pilot selecting his target. They destroyed and damaged 10 enemy aircraft. That day saw the first outing of Leigh-Mallory’s big wing under Bader’s leadership. The wing scored a number of victories. The RAF lost 28 aircraft with 19 pilots killed but shot down 41 enemy aircraft.

Back in Germany, the Luftwaffe’s achievements were already being hailed as a great success. Goering exulted that they had driven a sword into the heart of the enemy. Many German air crew had that day avoided the RAF. The conclusion was that the RAF was on its last legs.

In the early evening, there was a major attack on the London docks, and Battersea Power Station which sustained considerable damage. That night the Germans continued their attack with well over 200 bombers dropping their bombs on the burning targets. Not until five the next morning was the attack over. They left 400 civilians dead and several hundreds more injured. Next morning many Londoners had difficulty getting to work. Several mainline railway stations were closed.

73 Squadron Unofficial War Diary – 7 September
South of the Thames a terrific AA barrage was seen and a general rush in that direction resulted. The sky was absolutely stiff with aircraft. Bombers in stepped down formation of fives, with Me110s above, and He113s above them. The 113s were the “crack” outfit with the yellow snouts. Red Section went head on for the bombers, and Yellow went for the 110s and Blue went for anything that was going. Dog fights broke out everywhere and Huns were falling all over the place.

The scores were as follows, P/O Langham-Hobart, one Me110 definite, one very probable, F/Lt Beytagh, one Me110 definite, Sergt Garton, one He111k probable, Sergt Marshall, one 111 probable, S/Ldr Robinson, 1 definite. F/Lt Lovett and Sergt McNay are missing, and Sergt Marshall landed at Burnham on Crouch, no details are as yet available. A second raid was seen coming in over Deal and Sergts Plenderleith and Brimble had a slap at them, but no definite results were observed. P/O Marchand’s 109 of yesterday has been confirmed. P/O Hoole, the “brains” of the Squadron, is in his element dashing from one to the other counting “the bag”. Everyone is elated at our success but hope for good news of F/Lt Lovett and Sergt McNay. A present of apples and plums in large quantity have been received from Miss Emsden. A letter of appreciation signed by each pilot has been sent to this lady. The evening has been spent filling in Form “F” – the combat form. Everyone is mighty fed up with this task!

The CO saw the other day what he thought was a camouflaged aerodrome with a river nearby, he landed on this aerodrome, which wasn’t, and finished up in the river which was!

249 Squadron Operational Record Book – 7 September
2 patrols were carried out in the morning, Flt Lt Barton, now leading the Squadron, owing to the Squadron Commander’s absence in Maidstone Hospital. No contact made during these patrols. 11:30 hours third patrol at Rochester, 15,000 feet. Immediately on reaching patrol line, Squadron ordered to Maidstone in time to intercept a raid of 30 He111s with the usual escort of fighters above and at the sides. A quick flank attack was made on the bomber formation, but there was no time to observe the effect of the fire before breaking away. The Squadron was then attacked by Me109s and a dog fight followed. 6 serviceable aircraft returned to base and were ordered off again within quarter of an hour. As these 6 took off, a large enemy force passed over the aerodrome but did not bomb until they reached NE London at 15,000 feet. The 6 aircraft of the Squadron then attacked an enemy force of approximately 100 aircraft, as a result of which 1 Do17 was destroyed and several damaged.

By far the heaviest day’s fighting the Squadron has yet had. Enemy casualties: 4 ½ destroyed, 1 probable, 3 damaged. It is worthy of note that during this, the enemy’s longest full-scale attack on the London docks, POs Meaker and Loweth had motored to Maidstone to collect the CO from the hospital there. On their return they arrived at Surrey docks about 5 mins before these attacks took place and spent a very undignified forty minutes lying on the pavement at the entrance to the Blackwall Tunnel.

PO D.H. Wissler Diary – 7 September
We had one short scrap with Me109s but I only had one short burst with no effect. These raids created a lot of damage in London, the provisional casualty list says 400 dead, 1500 seriously injured. What complete swines these Jerries are.

266 Squadron Operational Record Book – 7 September
Very warm – visibility excellent. 6 aircraft operating from Coltishall. 2 raid investigations from Coltishall during which 1 enemy aircraft (a Do 215) was shot down off Island of Walscheren near Flushing. 5 Spitfire I aircraft delivered to no. 616 Squadron.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 7th September 1940):

* Enemy: 74 confirmed, 34 probable, 33 damaged
* Own: 27 aircraft with 14 pilots killed or missing.

Todays’s theme: The Airfields – RAF Duxford

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Day 56 – 3rd September 1940

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Weather: fine

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

Blenheim – 53
Spitfire – 221
Hurricane – 400
Defiant – 25
Gladiator – 8
Total – 707

The day began as before with a build up of mixed groups of bombers and fighters forming up behind Calais and appearing on British radar screens. The targets turned out to be North Weald, Hornchurch and Debden. However, interceptions made by 249 and 603 Squadrons were successful and were followed by confused dogfights. Out of this melee a force of some 30 Do17s reached North Weald. The bombing there led to substantial damage with 2 hangars set on fire and 4 RAF personnel killed. Communications were damaged and a number of other administrative buildings were wrecked including a direct hit on the ops room. As the bombers withdrew they were attacked by 303 and 46 Squadrons.

The afternoon featured a second phase of the attack which was aimed at the same area as the first attack. This was however successfully intercepted with the Czech squadron, 310, playing a major part and shooting down 4 Me110s. Significantly though, the tally of losses of the two sides was equal at 16 for each force with the RAF losing 8 pilots.

303 Squadron Operational Record Book – 3 September
14:15 hours
Patrol – Maidstone/Dover. Sgt Frantiszek, Green 2 rearguard, descended from 22,000 feet to investigate aircraft above cloud and found Spitfires, then below cloud saw solitary He 113 over sea. He dived and closed to 100yds firing 2 seconds into cockpit. Enemy aircraft dived slowly and disappeared into sea mid channel from Dover.

249 Squadron Operational Record Book – 3 September, North Weald
09:00 hours Squadron ordered to patrol Chelmsford, Eastchurch, nothing seen, ordered to land by sections after 1 hour’s patrol, and immediately after refuelling the Squadron was ordered off again to intercept a large formation of enemy aircraft approaching from the NE. Owing to being ordered off too late, the Squadron was unable to gain height in time to intercept this force, and we all had the most unsatisfactory experience of seeing North Weald being heavily bombed and being unable to do anything about it. The enemy carried out a pattern bombing attack from approx. 15,000 feet, which was very accurate, but it is interesting to record that although between 200 and 300 bombs were dropped on the buildings the damage to the buildings etc… did not in any way hinder the operation of the squadrons from North Weald. From the air, this attack appeared to have been far more effective than it actually was and no doubt the enemy pilots reported, quite justly, that they had knocked out North Weald. The Squadron brought to readiness during the afternoon, patrolled Eastchurch, Canterbury and Dover. 3 Me109s were seen well above but they sheared off towards France. We were fired at by AA from the Dover guns and Sgt Rowell’s aircraft was apparently hit. He was unaware of this however, until his aircraft caught fire just before he landed on return to North Weald. He was slightly concussed but otherwise uninjured.

PO D.H. Wissler Diary – 3 September
We did 2 patrols, on the first we intersepted [sic] about 100 e/a (Do215 and Me110). F/Lt Bayne and I got on a Me110s tail and firing together sent it down in flames. We then attacked a Do215, P/O Hearny finishing the attack and the bomber crashing in a field just north of the River Crouch. I collected a bullet in the radiator and got covered with glycol, force landing at Castle Camps. I collected a Hurricane of 111 Squadron, flew back to Debden and got my own plane back. We did one more patrol over the Thames. Then in the night I was aerodrome control pilot.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 3rd September 1940):

* Enemy: 25 confirmed, 11 probable, 10 damaged
* Own: 20 aircraft with 10 pilots killed or missing.

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Day 46 – August 24th 1940

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

Weather: fine.

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

Blenheim – 63
Spitfire – 238
Hurricane – 408
Defiant – 23
Gladiator – 8
Total – 740

This day was to see the end of the days of bad weather and the start of a fine spell lasting some two weeks. These next two weeks were to be the period of greatest strain on Fighter Command. The period ushered in the major effort by the Luftwaffe to finish off the fight against the RAF. The enemy was to concentrate on attacking the airfields surrounding London and at the same time for it to try and bring the remaining RAF fighters up into the air where they could shoot them down.

To strengthen the attack, the bulk of the Me109s, on the strength of Luflotte 3 on the Cherbourg peninsula, were flown across to the airfields of Luftflotte 2. A similar move of these Me109 fighters was made from Luftflotte 5 in Denmark and Norway. This would enable the protective fighters flown by the Luftwaffe, when accompanying their bombers on their operations, to be strengthened. The Germans also bowed to the inevitable in withdrawing much of the Ju87 strength from the battle. They were to be held in reserve against the time when German fighters had at last wrested control of the air over England from the RAF. It would be then that they would come into their own and punish British installations on the ground.

Meanwhile, Park and Dowding readied themselves for the renewed onslaught which this fresh period of fine weather would bring in its wake. The one problem which they could not overcome was the growing shortage of pilots. They were never short of new planes, but pilots were a different matter. It took months to train them. Looking forward to the next month or two, the prospect of a growing pilot shortage was a nightmare to the two Commanders.

Furthermore, the new phase of the Battle, which was to start on 24th August saw Fighter Command squadrons suffering from sheer exhaustion. The pilots were often desperately short of sleep. Moreover, their nerves were often shot to pieces. They needed rest and recuperation. Instead, they were being asked to fight on all day and every day. The ground crew who serviced the planes were exhausted too. They had been working round the clock as well. They had got to an amazing pitch of efficiency. They were able to refuel, rearm and check over a squadron of Spitfires in ten minutes of their landing. Yet the whole command was operating whilst being bombed and strafed throughout daylight hours. Telephone lines were continually being cut, reconnected and the next day cut again. Death and injury were never far away. Unexploded bombs littered the average airfield. Operating in this manner, the question was beginning to be asked, how long could they continue like this. As they looked at the weeks to come, doubts were beginning to enter the minds of some who had been so confident at the beginning of the Battle. It couldn’t go on forever.

Nevertheless, on 24th August the Battle got going again. The weather was fine, at last. It was perfect for a resumption of the campaign. The day started with a large raid which had built up behind Calais of over 100 aircraft. As it advanced on Dover, RAF squadrons were sent up to intercept. The mass raid was indeed broken up. Smaller sections made for individual targets. These began with Manston. The raid was intercepted but substantial damage was done nevertheless, with 3 Defiants of 264 Squadron being shot down. These same raiders also bombed Ramsgate, firing their machine guns on ARP personnel. More attacks were to develop on Manston. The largest one of over 100 aircraft came in from the Le Havre area. As a result of the further damage, the decision was taken at Fighter Command to evacuate Manston altogether. It was to be closed to all but emergency use. The attacks went on that day on airfields further north such as North Weald which was also heavily damaged by a force of another 50 Do17s and He111s. Air raid warnings were now being sounded in London as the raids approached the metropolis.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth and Southampton had become targets for a massive raid from a fresh group of aircraft from airfields near to the Somme. The raid was intercepted with the result that many of the bombers jettisoned their bombs at random over Portsmouth causing more than 100 fatalities. That day Fighter Command flew no less than 936 sorties losing 22 fighters but shooting down 38 German fighters and bombers.

The day finished with a misdirected attack on the City of London. The bombs had been meant to fall on oil storage facilities in the docks but ended up falling on built up areas of London. Over 100 people in Bethnal Green were made homeless.

54 Squadron Operational Record Book – 24 August
Hornchurch bombed and squadron in action twice. In the afternoon came the raid on the Aerodrome…in spite of over 100 bomb craters in the vicinity very little damage was done except to the SW corner of the drome where dispersal pens and the concreted road were hit.

249 Squadron Operational Record Book – 24 August
2 aircraft of Blue Section ordered to intercept e/a over Bristol at 30,000 feet. No further information was given them by R/T, and no interception was made. It is worthy of note here that the controllers at Middle Wallop appear to be working under very difficult circumstances with untrained personnel and lack of equipment. On many of the patrols so far carried out, no information other than the original telephoned order and the order to land has been received.

56 Squadron Operational Record Book – 24 August- North Weald
The Squadron went up twice in the morning on X raids, without result. The Squadron flew to Rochford, there carrying out various patrols. On one of these they engaged a number of Heinkel 111s with fighter escort. P/O Wicks destroyed a Me109, the pilot balling out and being captured. S/Ldr Manton destroyed a Me109 and F/Lt Weaver sent a Heinkel 111 into the sea, seeing 2 of the crew bale out. The Squadron returned to North Weald late in the evening, while they were away the aerodrome had been bombed, considerable material damage (none of it vital) being caused, there being 10 soldiers killed from a direct hit on a shelter trench.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 24th August 1940):

* Enemy: 41 confirmed, 13 probable, 19 damaged
* Own: 20 aircraft with 6 pilots and 4 air gunners lost or missing.

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Day 38 – August 16th 1940

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Weather: fine with occasional mist

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

Blenheim – 64
Spitire – 216
Hurricane – 345
Defiant – 24
Gladiator – 4
Total – 653

German raids began mid-morning with yet another attack on West Malling which succeeded in putting the place out of action until the 20th.

At noon, 3 further raids developed comprising of over 350 aircraft. Two waves of aircraft were headed for the Thames Estuary and Dover. A third wave was coming across from Cherbourg and making its way towards Portsmouth and Southampton aiming in particular for Tangmere. Many of the bombers managed to avoid contact with the RAF fighters sent up to intercept them and pressed on to their targets. A number of London suburbs were hit. Established airfields such Harwell and Farnborough were attacked. Meanwhile, the aircraft from Cherbourg had reached the south coast and headed in separate directions towards targets such as Tangmere, Lee on Solent and Gosport. Tangmere was badly damaged and twenty people lost their lives and several aircraft on the ground were destroyed. Ventnor was once again a target, this time by 5 Ju87s which made a pinpoint bombing attack. This attack put Ventnor out of action till 23rd August.

However, numerically, the most damaging attack that afternoon was on a training command airfield, Brize Norton. Over 50 aircraft were destroyed, several hangars were completely obliterated and a number of casualties were caused. This damage was the work of 2 Ju88s.

The Luftwaffe that day put up just over 1700 sorties for the loss of 45 aircraft. The RAF lost 22 planes and a large number of aircraft destroyed on the ground which included over 10 Hurricanes. Although the Luftwaffe had hit 8 airfields, their intelligence had been inaccurate as only three of them were Fighter Command airfields.

54 Squadron Operational Record Book – 16 August
Another engagement with the enemy when a large formation of Do 215s escorted by He 113s and Me 109s was encountered very near Hornchurch. 2 Me 109s (by Colin Gray in celebration of his DFC) and 1 He 113 (FO McMullen) all destroyed and 2 bombers and a fighter damaged for no loss on our part was a most satisfactory hour’s work.

249 Squadron Operational Record Book – 16 August, Boscombe Down
A formation of Me109s were seen and Red Section, Flt Lt Nicholson, PO MA King, Sqdn Ldr King were ordered to investigate. Red Section unfortunately bought it, being heavily attacked by fighters. Flt Lt Nicholson, Red I was hit by a cannon shell and his aircraft caught fire. Flt Lt Nicholson remained in the cockpit in order to get a burst at a Messerschmitt 110 which appeared in front of him. He was then forced to abandon aircraft owing to the heat. He made a successful descent, but when about 40 feet from the ground he was fired at by a member of the LDV. He was very badly burnt and taken to Royal Southampton Hospital. PO MA King, Red 2 was attacked at the same time, and also abandoned his aircraft. His parachute had been severely damaged however by a cannon shell, and collapsed during the descent. Pilot Officer King was killed. Sqdn Ldr King’s aircraft was hit in several places but he was able to return to base.

Note – Flt Lt Nicholson was subsequently awarded the VC – the only member of Fighter Command to receive this honour.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 16th August 1940):

* Enemy: 75 confirmed, 29 probable, 41 damaged
* Own: 22 aircraft of which 14 pilots are safe

Todays’s theme: The Squadrons – 249 Squadron

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Day 31 – August 9th 1940

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Weather: cloudy with bright intervals.

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

Blenheim – 64
Spitfire – 228
Hurricane – 370
Defiant – 23
Gladiator – 2
Total – 687

Sporadic raids were undertaken against suitable targets, for example the remains of the convoy attacked on the 7/8 August was targeted by a Ju88 which was subsequently shot down by 234 and 601 Squadrons. 1 RAF aircraft was lost and 1 of the enemy was shot down. The RAF flew 409 sorties. That night Wiltshire was bombed and the landing ground was hit at the Marston Aircraft Factory.

The Germans had spent much of the day planning for Adler Tag which was due to be launched on the following day. However, by the evening this had to be cancelled because of bad weather.

249 Squadron Operational Record Book, 9 August
Friday morning boredom relieved at the sound of shots being discharged during the pay parade in the Squadron hangar, as a result of which no. 566614 Cpl Parry Jones of B Flight grasped his side and fell to the ground. He was found to have been wounded by a bullet and was taken to York Military Hospital by Ambulance. On subsequent investigation, it was found that a Hurricane aircraft of no. 73 Squadron was being loaded whilst in the flying position, pointing towards our hangar and 2 rounds had inadvertently been fired. This incident did a lot towards fostering the already excellent competitive spirit between the 2 squadrons on the station.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 9th August 1940):

* Enemy: Enemy: Fighters – nil, Bombers – 1 He111 confirmed (by No 79 Squadron).
* Own: – nil

Todays’s theme: The Squadrons – 257 Squadron