Episode2.org

Weather: fine

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 60
• Spitfire – 204
• Hurricane – 398
• Defiant – 21
• Gladiator – 7
• Total – 690

This day saw an acceleration of the Luftwaffe’s attempt at wiping out the RAF’s strength, particularly that of 11 Group, the airfields of which were under continuous attack.

Early that morning several groups of 30 plus aircraft were forming up behind Calais. These groups turned into one large formation of 100 aircraft, split roughly between fighters and bombers. They were soon flying across the Channel where they split up into small groups again going for individual targets. These turned out to be Eastchurch, Rochford, North Weald and Biggin Hill. 11 Group succeeded in getting 5 squadrons into position where they could intercept. Some attacks were from high flying aircraft while others were from low flying aircraft, the latter being very difficult to detect.

Early in the afternoon a group of some 250 aircraft crossed the south coast and then broke up into smaller groups. Amongst the targets which were attacked was Debden which was very heavily damaged.

In the mid afternoon a third group formed up over Calais, mounting to 250 aircraft. Once again being half bombers and half fighters. They then crossed the Channel and spread widely over Kent. Raids were sent yet again to Biggin Hill, Kenley and Brooklands. Damage was also caused to Eastchurch and Hornchurch. But at Hornchurch the interception by 11 Group squadrons was so successful that only some six bombs fell within the perimeter of the airfield. Maidstone was heavily bombed. Industrial targets were also hit namely the Vickers factory at Brooklands and the Short Brothers factory at Rochester.

Finally, a little after 5 pm the fourth raid of the day developed. This raid concentrated on Eastchurch and Detling. Eastchurch received two attacks where severe damage was done where some 5 aircraft were destroyed on the ground together with considerable damage being done to the airfield’s communications. Eastchurch was made unusable.

That day Fighter Command had lost 25 aircraft to the Luftwaffe’s 35. 8 RAF pilots had been killed.

303 Squadron Operational Record Book: 2 September
17:30 hours
About 10 Me 109s dived out of sun onto squadron near Dover at 19,000 ft…Sgt Frantiszek pursued one 109 over French coast. Enemy aircraft damaged in engine and fuselage, escaped smoking.

501 Squadron Operational Record Book: 2 September, Gravesend
At 07:50 bombs were dropped on the edges of the aerodrome but no material damage was done. The only casualties were 2 soldiers slightly injured. The Squadron was ordered to patrol Gravesend at 07:36 hours. Engagement took place but too late to prevent a few 40lb bombs being dropped across the lower part of the Aerodrome. 1 pilot encountered 15 Do17s at 10,000 feet and another pilot encountered 9 He113s. Sgt Henn was injured in this engagement and PO Skalski force landed and was injured.

PO D.H. Wissler Diary – 2 September
We took off at about 6.30 for Debden and arrived about 45 mins later. We did two patrols over Thames Haven, the first time we saw hundreds of huns but they were fleeing back home. Our AA guns fired at us, and came much too close. We had one more flap, but opps had their fingers so far up that everything was messed up and we never saw a thing.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 2nd September 1940):

*  Enemy: 41 confirmed, 18 probable, 32 damaged
*  Own: 20 aircraft with 10 pilots killed or missing.

Todays’s theme: Unsung Heroes – The Ministry of Aircraft Production