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Weather: fine.

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 50
• Spitfire – 208
• Hurricane – 345
• Defiant – 28
• Gladiator – 0
• Total – 631

A much quieter day with the Luftwaffe recovering from its exertions over the previous two days. As for the RAF, these recent very active days were leading to a growing shortage of pilots. However, volunteers were successfully sought from other commands. This helped to fill some of the gaps at least.

That night Liverpool and Coventry were bombed and a number of civilians were killed.

54 Squadron Operational Record Book – 17 August
Probably the lull before the storm. No enemy activity until the late afternoon.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 17th August 1940):

*  Enemy: 2 confirmed
*  Own: nils

Todays’s theme: The Airfields – RAF Warmwell

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

Weather: Fine.

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 61
• Spitfire – 233
• Hurricane – 351
• Defiant – 25
• Gladiator – 2
• Total – 672

The fine weather was what Goering had been waiting for. Earlier that morning the 3 Luftflotten were busily preparing for a major coordinated attack on the RAF. The intention was to hit as many RAF airfields as possible and to bring up as many British fighters as they could which could then be shot down. For a new map of the airfields and where they were situated, see our Battle of Britain map.

The first attack came from airfields in northern France where hundreds of German aircraft were detected as they came across the Channel. They were divided very roughly between Ju87 dive bombers and protecting Me109s. They were aiming at Lympne which suffered considerable damage. The airfield was put out of action for 2 days. Hawkinge was also attacked but much less damage was done. The radar stations at Rye, Dover and Foreness were hit by the Ju87s and subsequently had to be shut down.

The next phase of the day’s battle saw a major attack by German aircraft from Luftflotte 5 from its bases in Denmark and Norway. This attack was the brainchild of German Intelligence. They were presuming that the Luftwaffe’s continued attacks on southern England would have led Dowding to concentrate all his fighter resources on protecting the area south of London. He would have drained away all fighter protection from the north of England. They therefore concluded that targets in the North would now be undefended. How wrong they were.

An attack by several groups of bombers, He111s and Ju88s, as well as some He115s duly came in from across the North Sea to the Northumberland coast whilst a second wave of bombers headed south. But they had been picked up by the local radar. They were intercepted by squadrons of Hurricanes and Spitfires. Many German bombs were dropped into the sea. Some German aircraft immediately turned for home. As these interceptions proceeded, the whole Luftflotte 5 attack proved to be a costly failure.

In the south of England, Manston suffered heavy damage that afternoon. 16 men were killed and two Spitfires were destroyed on the ground.

At 3.15 pm a force of Me109s, led by Rubensdoerffer, attacked Martlesham Heath causing fairly widespread damage and leaving the airfield out of action. Repair work continued for the next 2 days.

At the same time, two large concentrations of German aircraft were observed crossing the coast at Deal and at Folkestone, each wave consisted of over 100 aircraft. The aircraft then broke up to attack individual targets including factories in Surrey working on Short Stirling bombers near Rochester, where approximately 300 bombs were dropped. The other targets included the radar stations at Dover, Bawdsey, and Foreness.

In the early evening, there were further attacks by Luftflotte 3 flying over from Brittany. 100 aircraft attacked airfields including Middle Wallop. More action was to follow. Another 70 plus German aircraft were now proceeding from the area behind Calais. But this attack was intercepted by RAF squadrons and was broken up leaving the German aircraft to seek individual targets. Attacks were delivered on airfields at West Malling and at Croydon. The latter had been mistaken for Kenley. The attackers’ bad luck continued with Rubensdoerffer, their famous Commander, being shot down and killed. The final action of the day was when a mixed force of Me109s and Me110s, which were looking for targets amongst the suburbs south of London, were caught by two RAF squadrons when on their way home. 4 German aircraft were shot down.

After what had been a hugely busy day, the RAF announced that they had shot down 182 enemy aircraft. Subsequently, this was paired down to a more accurate figure of 75 German losses from 974 sorties flown. This compared with 30 RAF losses. The outcome for the day nevertheless represented a considerable success for the RAF, particularly their performance in the north of England.

As it was, the day put Luftflotte 5 out of the battle. It was also clear that the Me110 and the hitherto invincible Stuka dive bomber could only operate effectively given massive fighter cover.

Back in Karinhall, Goering was lecturing his commanders that day. He ordered that Stukas should be given protection by Me109 fighters in front, above, and behind the dive bombers. Goering had also come to the conclusion that the Luftwaffe’s attacks on radar installations were just not paying dividends and should be abandoned. The Reichmarschall never quite got his head round the part played by radar in the British defences.

For his part, Churchill congratulated Dowding on his “generalship” in his success in eliminating the attack by Luftflotte 5 in the north of England.

54 Squadron Operational Record Book – 15 August
4 patrols during the day resulted in 2 clashes with the enemy. By now the order “patrol behind Dover and engage enemy fighters” is becoming as familiar as the old convoy patrols.
Flt Lt Deere claiming a Me 109 destroyed (11:18 hours).

18:28 hours: Flt Lt Deere 2 He 113s. 1 probable was gained for the loss of Flt Lt Deere’s machine when he was shot down in Kent after a flight which has taken him (unwittingly) over Calais Marck! He suffered only a sprained wrist after a parachute jump at 15,000 feet.

17 Squadron Operational Record Book – 15 August
The Squadron carried out convoy patrols from 05:25 to 16:00 hours. At 15:10 hours the aerodrome was attacked by Ju87s and Me110s and was dive bombed. About 18 bombs fell on the aerodrome causing damage, but none of our personnel or aircraft suffered. Meanwhile Flt Lt Harper, Sgt Griffiths and PO Pittman had taken off to intercept and climbed to attack Me109s at 20,000 feet over aerodrome. Flt Lt Harper was seen to go down with smoke pouring from his engine, but was later reported to have force-landed near Felixstowe, wounded in the leg and face. He is in Felixstowe Hospital and claims 1 Me109 confirmed. FO Hanson and PO Pittman took off during the raid. Convoy patrols were continued until 18:10 hours.

610 Squadron Operational Record Book – 15 August, 18:43 hours
8 aircraft ordered to intercept e/a approaching Biggin Hill, about 10 miles to the SE, they met about 25 Do215s escorted by many Me109s. The bombers flying at 14,000 feet and the fighters at 16,000 feet. Flt Lt Warner attacked a Me109, gave it 3 long bursts, smoke came from the fuselage and it dived down vertically. Sgt Arnfield fired several bursts at a Me109 which began to smoke badly. PO Cox fired 3 short bursts at a Me109 which went into a vertical dive with engine on fire. Sgt Corfe fired 3 short bursts at a Me109, the tracer appeared to hit him about the rear of the fuselage and wings.
Enemy casualties: 1 Me109 destroyed, 1 Me 109 probable, 2 Me109s damaged.

73 Squadron Unofficial War Diary – 15 August 1940
Today the Squadron drew its first blood in England. “A” Flight who were at Leconfield at the time were ordered off towards Flamborough Head at 19,000 feet. The enemy were encountered and being unescorted in wide formation. “A” Flight “went to it”. P/O Carter got two Ju88s and a possible third. Others were shot down by Sgt Griffin, Sgt McNay, P/O Scott and Flt/Lt Lovett. Sqn/Ldr Robinson shot up everything within sight and it is thought he must have accounted for at least three of the enemy. “B” Flight are now eagerly awaiting an opportunity to come to grips again but as the days pass it seems as if this is unlikely as long as the Squadron remains at Church Fenton.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 15th August 1940):

*  Enemy: 161 confirmed, 61 probable, 58 damaged
*  Own: 34 destroyed, 18 pilots killed or missing

Todays’s theme: The Planes They Flew In – Boulton Paul Defiant

Adler Tag (Eagle Day)

Weather: Fine; some patchy cloud over Channel.

Adolf Hitler, Directive No. 17 (1st August, 1940)
The Luftwaffe will use all the forces at its disposal to destroy the British air force as quickly as possible. August 5th is the first day on which this intensified air war may begin, but the exact date is to be left to the Luftwaffe and will depend on how soon its preparations are complete, and on the weather situation.

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 71
• Spitfire – 226
• Hurricane – 353
• Defiant – 26
• Gladiator – 2
• Total – 678

There was some mist at first but this later cleared. Early in the morning, a large force of Do17s had taken off under the leadership of Commander Johannes Fink. But the fighters who were meant to accompany the bomber stream had turned back. Goering, back in Karinhall, had been told that the weather wasn’t, after all, all that good. He decided to postpone the opening of the new campaign, that had been scheduled for today, codenamed ‘Adler Tag’, or ‘Eagle Day’.. He personally ordered those aircraft, which had already taken off, to be recalled. The recall signal reached the fighters, but not the bombers. The former turned for home, leaving the bombers to forge on alone.

However, the bombers’ target was an RAF station in Surrey, Eastchurch. This wasn’t a fighter command station at all, as it belonged to Coastal Command, although 266 Squadron Spitfires were there having just been moved down from the Midlands. No fighters were permanently stationed there. The raid on Eastchurch turned out to be very damaging and destructive, wrecking a number of aircraft, killing several personnel, and it gave the impression to Fink and his men that they had completely destroyed a fighter command station, together with 10 Spitfires. In fact, only 1 Spitfire was destroyed, although 16 ground crew were killed and 5 Blenheims were destroyed. Despite this damage, the station was back in service the next day.

On the way home, flying across Kent, five Do17s of Fink’s group were shot down with several more being damaged by 111 and 151 Squadrons. On return to base Fink was furious. What had happened to his fighter escort?

Yet the most serious error made that day was mistaking Eastchurch, a coastal command station for a fighter command one.

A second German group had not received details of Eagle Day’s postponement and a sizeable force of Ju88s was heading for Odiham and the research establishment at Farnborough. But they were intercepted by 601 Squadron and forced to return to their base.

In the afternoon came a series of raids from Luftflotte 3 from the Cherbourg peninsula which were aimed at Portland and other south coast ports including Southampton. Several interceptions were made by RAF squadrons on this latest incursion. However, several German aircraft managed to get through to Southampton and did serious damage.

At the same time, Luftflotte 2 were also in action. Detling was hit and the Commanding Officer was killed. The day had given Fighter Command a taste of the much more intensive battle which was about to take place over the next few weeks. Cumulatively, it was to put the Command under severe strain. The RAF lost 13 aircraft with the Germans losing 45.

That night the Nuffield works near Birmingham were hit.

54 Squadron Operational Record Book, 13 August
A respite with only 1 patrol over Hornchurch for an hour early in the morning.

19 Squadron Operational Record Book – 13 August – Eastchurch
Eastchurch Aerodrome (and “B” Flight) most thoroughly bombed. Approximately 220 bombs dropped in 20 minutes. The personnel were also machine-gunned by low-flying enemy aircraft. Fortunately “B” Flight sustained no damage or injuries. The dispersal of the aircraft would help considerably to this end.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 13th August 1940):

*  Enemy: 78 aircraft destroyed, 33 probable, 49 damaged.
*  Own: 11 Hurricanes, 2 Spitfires

Todays’s theme: Historical Documents – Hitler’s Sea Lion Directives and Invasion Plans

Diana Barnato Walker climbing into the cockpit of a Spitfire whilst serving with the Air Transport Auxiliary

Weather: Fine.

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 60
• Spitire – 248
• Hurricane – 363
• Defiant – 24
• Gladiator – 4
• Total – 699

Operations began in the morning over Dover as usual. Then followed attacks on radar stations in the vicinity of Dover. Despite a number of bombs being dropped, no serious damage was done. The radar station by Dover itself was slightly damaged, but that at Rye suffered considerable damage as did the station at Pevensey. However, Rye was back on air by noon. The radar station at Pevensey took longer to repair.

An hour later, an attack by Ju87 dive bombers took place on a convoy in the Thames Estuary followed by a heavy raid on Portsmouth which resulted in the destruction of the pier and damage to the railway station. While this was occurring a serious raid was launched on the radar station at Ventnor on the east coast of the Isle of Wight. Numerous direct hits were scored on Ventnor which put it out of action for 3 days.

At lunchtime, switching back to the east coast, a heavy attack was launched by a large force of Dorniers on the airfield at Manston. Over one hundred bombs were dropped on the airfield, but happily without heavy casualties being caused. Hawkinge was also attacked and a considerable amount of damage done. The station was, however, serviceable the next day. Lympne airfield, also in the south east, which had been the subject of an attack that morning, was once again visited with a number of bombs being dropped. Most fell on the airfield but some also fell in surrounding fields. Small raids by German bombers that evening attacked Hastings and Dover.

Back in Germany, the day’s raids were assessed as having been very successful. Wildly exaggerated estimates were made of the number of planes destroyed on the ground. A number of the airfields visited that day were duly crossed off as irreparably damaged. However, there was more realism concerning the radar stations. The Head of Signals reported that attacks had not put the radar stations out of action for long. It was all part of the process by which the Luftwaffe, within the next few weeks, estimated they had virtually wiped out Fighter Command. Nothing could have been more disappointing to the German fighter pilots, who on their raids over Britain, went on being met by an undiminished number of Spitfires and Hurricanes. German losses that day totalled 31 as against the RAF losses of 22.

54 Squadron Operational Record Book, 12 August
The squadron engaged the enemy twice during the day – once in the morning and again in the evening when Flt Lt Deere added still further to his personal score with one Me 109 and one Me 110 both destroyed. One of our Polish Sergeants (Sgt Klozensky) vented his wrath on the Hun to the extent of one certain Me 109 and one probable Me 109.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 12th August 1940):

*  Enemy: 62 planes confirmed destroyed, 36 probable, 39 damaged
*  Own: 9 Hurricanes, 6 Spitfires

Todays’s theme: Unsung Heroes – the Air Transport Auxiliary

Weather: showers and bright intervals.

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

• Blenheim – 66
• Spitfire – 257
• Hurricane – 370
• Defiant – 20
• Total – 713

On the previous evening a substantial convoy, code named Peewit, had set out from the Thames. As it passed through the Straits of Dover it was picked up by the newly installed Freya radar on the French coast. The Germans saw that the convoy consisted of more than 20 ships. It was soon attacked by several E-boats which sank 3 ships in the convoy and damaged several others.

A second raid was then launched on this convoy by a force of Ju87 dive bombers accompanied by fighters. They attacked the ships off the Isle of Wight. They had orders to sink the whole convoy. Despite resistance from a number of squadrons of RAF fighters, further casualties were inflicted on the ships.

Nevertheless, a third attack, this time also from Cherbourg was launched. These enemy aircraft were intercepted near Swanage by seven squadrons from 10 and 11 Groups. In an intensive and prolonged series of engagements, with some squadrons flying as many as three sorties, substantial numbers of aircraft, particularly the Ju87s, were shot down. The remains of the convoy finally made Portsmouth Harbour with only 4 out of the 21 ships undamaged. It proved to be the most intensive attack on a convoy during that summer. The RAF lost 19 aircraft as against 31 German aircraft destroyed. Churchill duly sent a congratulatory note on the day’s performance to the Secretary of State for Air.

54 Squadron Operational Record Book, 8 August, Hornchurch
No enemy aircraft seen – very quiet day.

74 Squadron Operational Record Book, 8 August
Flt Lt A G Malan DFC appointed to the rank of Acting Squadron Leader and assumes command of no. 74 Squadron. Malan awarded bar to DFC.

Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 8th August 1940):

*  Enemy: 52 confirmed, 14 unconfirmed
*  Own: 13 Hurricanes, 4 Spitfires, 1 Blenheim

Todays’s theme: The Planes they Flew – the JU87 ‘Stuka‘