Episode2.org

Weather:fine with some cloud.

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Spitfire – 218
• Hurricane – 403
• Defiant – 13
• Gladiator – 8
• Total – 687

Two attacks by between 200 and 300 aircraft were set in train by Luftflotte 2. However both raids were intercepted by large numbers of RAF fighters and both were turned back before they could reach London. At midday heavy fighting took place over Kent. That afternoon, following some sporadic individual raids, a major onslaught occurred across Kent aiming for London. Some thirty aircraft penetrated to the capital. At the same time, a force of some 180 aircraft approached the capital from near Slough. Finally a force of some 50 aircraft from Luftflotte 3 headed towards Yeovil. The target being the Westland works nearby. However, when the Luftwaffe aircraft got there, the target was obscured by cloud so they had to bomb blind. Most of the bombs fell on the surrounding area.
So ended the last big daylight raid of the battle. So also ended the use by the Luftwaffe of massed formations of twin engined bombers attacking Britain by daylight. Like the Ju87 Stukas, these aircraft too were to be withdrawn from their daylight role. Henceforward, they would operate at night in what the British were to dub the “Blitz”.

The Luftwaffe lost 47 aircraft and the RAF lost 20.

303 Squadron Operational Record Book – 30 September
16:40 hours
Combat at Brooklands at 16:50 hours. 10 Hurricanes left Northolt at 16:40 hours…Squadron was ordered to patrol base and then to join number 1 Canadian Squadron at 229 Squadron who had taken off 15 minutes earlier. Climbed at full boost and Flights became separated but neither could join the wing. A Flight was broken up by Me109s of which FO Urbanowicz destroyed one. In this area were 150 to 200 Me109s and 110s and odds were too great. Cloud cover alone saved heavy casualties. B Flight made towards bombers going SE near Croydon. Sgt Belc broke away to protect Hurricane, pilot baled out and being attacked by Mes and after seeing him safe never rejoined Flight. Remaining 4 were dived upon by Me109s when 4 to 5 miles from bombers. Sgt Frantiszek broke off upwards in order to cover flight from enemy attack. He caught one Me on the turn and destroyed it and in subsequent fight with 6 probably destroyed another. He escaped with great difficulty in cloud. Rest of Flight tried to continue toward bombers but were broken up by Me109s.
Enemy casualties: 2 Me109s destroyed, 1 Me109 probable
Our casualties: nil

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 30 September1940):

*  Enemy:  46 confirmed,  32 probable, 29 damaged
*  Own:20 aircraft with 8 pilots killed or missing.

Today’s theme:  Unsung Heroes – The ARP

Weather: fine

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 60
• Spitfire – 237
• Hurricane – 401
• Defiant – 18
• Gladiator – 7
• Total – 723

This day the Luftwaffe launched a series of wide fighter sweeps over south east England. Hornchurch and Northolt were attacked but suffered no damage. Fighter Command launched 24 squadrons to intercept them. In the day’s fighting, which was intense, 11 RAF planes were lost while the Germans suffered 16 aircraft destroyed.
That night Bomber Command mounted a raid of over 100 aircraft on Berlin in retaliation for the bombing of London. The Luftwaffe’s night attack on London was the largest so far consisting of over 250 aircraft. The capital was turned into an inferno.

73 Squadron Unofficial War Diary – 23 September
In spite of the bright sunny morning our spirits sagged – and our stomachs revolted – when we had our breakfast placed before us. It purported to be mince, but it gave us all many unpleasant thoughts and even the most hardened stomachs decided to go breakfastless.
If our breakfast was bad, worse and infinitely more tragic hours awaited us. At 0920 hours 12 of our machines, leading 257 took off, and were to be covered by 17 Squadron from Debden. 17 Squadron failed badly in their necessary task, and aided by what can only be described as class stupidity of the part of Ops. The Squadrons were broken up by Me109s. While patrolling at 20,000 feet the Squadron was ordered to 10,000 feet. Smithy, who was leading, promptly and wisely questioned this, but the order was confirmed, so being left no option he began to go down. Disaster then came among us. At 12,000 feet when 17 Squadron had left the tail completely uncovered, Me109s and He113s hurtled down from the sun and the formations went over like nine pins.
The first news the ground staff had of the debacle – for debacle it was – was the arrival of Sergt Webster, seething with rage, and with his machine well bullet marked. One bullet had struck and ammo tank in the port gun bay and exploded a belt of rounds, and weakened the wing struts. From him we were prepared for the further bad news that followed. Of the twelve machines which had taken off only eight returned. P/O Hobart’s section, of which Sgt Webster was no.3, had suffered worst. P/O Hobart and P/O Kinder were both reported missing, Sgt Leng was known to have baled out near Detling, and Sergt Perkin also baled out near Hasty Ferry. He landed on a sandbank in the Estuary and was rescued by two men in a boat.

303 Squadron Operational Record Book – 23 September
09:30 hours
Combat Thames Estuary to Calais. Vectored south of Biggin Hill and then towards estuary. Saw about 20 streamers approaching from South. Squadron at 22,000 ft then saw about 20 Me 109s at 30,000 to 25,000 ft circling the estuary. Wing circled slowly and enemy aircraft made no attempt to attack. Then about 12 Me 109s came behind from some other formation, apparently trying to break up the wing. Red Section attacked and e/a fled southwards. Flt Lt Kent caught up 1 Me 109 diving for France and shot it down in the sea 15 miles from French coast. The pilot baled out at 4,000 ft. On returning Flt Lt Kent saw probably Potex flying low towards England. Enemy aircraft turned and Flt Lt Kent saw De Wilde hitting e/a, but his own began labouring, and he returned to base. Sgt Szaposznikow also over took one Me 109 and shot it down in flames near French coast. Enemy fighters made no attempt to fight Hurricanes and showed no aptitude for evasion. Potex, painted mottled dark grey with black crosses. No return fire noticed. Evasive tactics slow turns over sea.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 23rd September 1940):

*  Enemy: 11 confirmed, 7 probable, 6 damaged
*  Own: 11 aircraft with 3 pilots missing.

Today’s theme: Unsung Heroes – The GPO

Weather: variable

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 51
• Spitfire – 212
• Hurricane – 362
• Defiant – 25
• Gladiator – 5
• Total – 655

This was to be a busy day. Several large attacks were mounted by the Luftwaffe. Only fighters were involved. Over Kent, they were intercepted with major battles following. In the afternoon further attacks were mounted and duly intercepted not only by 11 Group squadrons but also by the Duxford wing. The wing, led by Squadron Leader Bader achieved considerable success though not as great as that claimed. The score that day was 15 enemy destroyed at a cost of 12 RAF fighters. The RAF had flown 1165 sorties that day.

That night London was again the main target of the Luftwaffe bombing effort. County Hall, Westminster was hit. Bomber Command launched several attacks on French ports aiming at the barges.

73 Squadron Unofficial Diary – 18 September
At 4pm the “Scramble” and patrol Colchester, angels 15, given. Led by P/O Scott the Squadron began a game of hunt the slipper. “Patrolling J for Johnny” reported Scotty, “Orbit” replied Ops, then “Patrol Chelmsford”, “Patrolling Chelmsford” reported Scotty a few minutes later. “Orbit” said Ops. So we orbited and peace reigned for a few minutes, then “Vector 180° for two minutes, four bandits closing coast”. So off we went, and sure enough there was something about 10,000 feet above us. “Can you see the bandits?”, Sergt Garton replied, “yes I can see them, but God knows how we’re going to get up to the b******s”. This seemed to shake Ops for a bit, for we were told to patrol Colchester again. Arriving there we received the order to “Pancake”. So off we started for home and tea, when suddenly “Patrol K for King below cloud base”. This was done, and then we were ordered back to Colchester, angels 10. After an hour and 40 minutes, the Ops graciously allowed us to return and refuel. Sergt Perkin went a drift, but landed at North Weald, and came on here later.

303 Squadron Operational Record Book – 18 September
Visit from General Sikorski.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 18th September 1940):

*  Enemy: 33 confirmed, 16 probable, 19 damaged
*  Own: Twelve aircraft of which nine pilots are safe.

Today’s theme: Top Gun Gallery – Stanislaw Skalski