Archive for the ‘August 1940’ Category
Daylight bombing raids into Britain increase
Sunday, September 5th, 2010303 Squadron’s first combat patrol
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
Day 53 – 31st August 1940
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010Weather: fair.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 54
- Spitfire – 212
- Hurricane – 417
- Defiant – 13
- Gladiator – 4
- Total – 700
This day proved seriously expensive for the RAF. Airfields including North Weald, Duxford and Debden were attacked in the first wave. But this was followed by a second wave of enemy aircraft numbering roughly 100 and once again launched a very damaging attack on Biggin Hill and Croydon. The raid on Croydon caused a certain amount of damage to the hangars. The raid on Biggin Hill which was from high flying aircraft did further damage to this hard pressed RAF station. However, the Biggin Hill raiders were attacked, as they retreated, by 253 Squadron.
Another wave of raiders targeted Hornchurch. A group of 54 Squadron Spitfires were taking off just as the raiders started to release their bombs. Three of the Spitfires were caught by the blast just as they were leaving the ground. Two of the aircraft were tossed in the air and the third, which was being piloted by that eternal survivor, Alan Deere, skidded along upside down. By enormous luck, none of the three pilots were seriously hurt and were all flying the next day.
The last raid of the day was that afternoon and was targeted on Hornchurch and Biggin Hill which suffered more damage to hangars and telephone lines that were brought down. However, both Biggin Hill and Hornchurch were serviceable the next day.
This day proved seriously expensive for the RAF. The home team lost 37 aircraft as against 39 German shot down.
That night Liverpool suffered another heavy raid. A direct hit on a shelter killed 20 people.
Cyril Shoesmith Diary, Aged 14, Bexhill on Sea – Saturday 31 August
In 1st air raid, 8.50-9.30, I saw 11 planes. 9 of these were high up. Next air raid was from 5.40-7.30. Heard planes and explosions. Saw 3 planes, then 5 planes came over fighting. Heard machine gun fire, and later we found a bullet clip each. 3 of the planes were German and 2 were Hurricanes.
PO DH Wissler Diary – 31 August
We did four patrols today ending up with one on which we intersepted [sic] about 30 Do17s and 20-30 Me109s. I got onto a Me109s tail, after an ineffectual attack on the bombers, and got in several long bursts at about 300yds, however nothing was observed in the way of damage. Another got on my tail and I had to break away. I succeeded in throwing him off in a steep turn but not before he had put an explosive bullet through my wing. Sgt Stewart was shot down, but was safe. I burst another tail wheel today.
54 Squadron Operational Record Book – 31 August
A really amazing day. Hornchurch bombed; the miraculous escape of 3 of our pilots who were bombed out of their planes; the station bombed a second time. The squadron was ordered off just as the first bombs were beginning to fall and 8 of our machines safely cleared the ground; the remaining section, however, just became air borne as the bombs exploded. All 3 machines were wholly wrecked in the air. The survival of the pilots is a complete miracle.
56 Squadron Operational Record Book – 31 August
The Squadron went up to intercept enemy bombers approaching the aerodrome which they did near Colchester. They became involved with the fighter escort and F/Lt Weaver was shot down and killed. He had been given the DFC this very day and he was a great loss to the Squadron. F/O Westmacott and P/O Mounsdon were also injured but not seriously, their a/c being lost. Sgt Whitehead was shot down by an unseen a/c. He baled out and was unhurt. Weather cloudless, wind westerly 10 to 15mph.
Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 31st August 1940):
* Enemy: 85 confirmed, 34 probable, 33 damaged
* Own: 37 aircraft with 12 pilots killed or missing.
Todays’s theme: The Airfields – RAF Hornchurch
British fleet sails into the Mediterranean
Monday, August 30th, 2010
Day 52 – 30th August 1940
Monday, August 30th, 2010Weather: fair.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 52
- Spitfire – 234
- Hurricane – 410
- Defiant – 14
- Gladiator – 7
- Total – 717
On this occasion, the Luftwaffe returned to attacking a convoy. In fact, it was a feint. The real effort was an attack picked up by radar of a large formation coming in from the Pas de Calais. The enemy target turned out to be airfields south of London. A group of bombers flying at 20 000 ft struck Biggin Hill, doing considerable damage to the area but not the aerodrome itself. A little later, a second group of aircraft attacked with a large segment aiming once again at Biggin Hill. To this was, however, added Shoreham and Tangmere. Later that afternoon, a third wave of attacks came over, including a third visitation for the day on Biggin Hill, together with a number of other airfields. The most damaging raid of the day was flown by a group of 10 Ju88s which, aiming at Biggin Hill, flew north of that airfield, then turned round and came in from that direction. The bombing was extremely accurate. It left the airfield a virtual wreck. It also left 39 dead and many of the buildings demolished. Detling and Kenley were also hit in this serious attack. Detling was out of action until the following day.
Finally another group got through to Luton where bombs hit the Vauxhall works and caused a large number of casualties.
At the end of a busy day, the RAF had lost 25 fighters compared with 36 German aircraft destroyed. However, 15 RAF pilots had survived. 1050 sorties had been flown by the RAF. This was to be the highest number of sorties flown in a day during the Battle.
That night Liverpool suffered a third episode of heavy bombing.
242 Squadron Operational Record Book – 30 August
Squadron ordered to proceed to Duxford. Operations from Duxford. Enemy planes shot down north of London without any loss to Squadron. 4 e/a attacked and probably shot down. Signal received from AOC 12 Group congratulating Squadron on its achievement. The above brings the Squadron’s total bag for month to 14 certainties and 5 probables. Signal received from AOC 12 Group read: ‘heartiest congratulations on a first class show. Well done 242”. Signal received from Chief of the Air Staff which read: “magnificent fighting. You are well on top of the enemy and obviously the fine Canadian traditions of the last war are safe in your hands”. Signal received from Under Secretary of State for Air congratulating Squadron.
253 Squadron Operational Record Book – 30 August
14 Hurricanes took off Kenley 10:50 hours followed by 5 more at 11:25 hours when an attack on Croydon and Kenley appeared likely. The Squadron was first ordered to patrol Maidstone, but the flights were separated and were ordered back to orbit base where they were joined by the other 5 aircraft. They were then vectored off to the south, where at 18,000 feet near Redhill they saw 3 formations of 9 bombers escorted by 30 fighters, Me110s and Me109s. B Flight at once attacked the bombers, which included He111, Do215 and possibly Ju88s, but observed no results with the exception of PO Nowak (Green 3) who probably destroyed a Do215 (this pilot maintained that this bomber was a Ju88) A Flight who were behind and below followed in to attack and Yellow 3 (PO Greenwood) fired all his ammunition into a Heinkel 111 which force landed, 4 of the crew being seen climbing out. A series of individual fights took place, chiefly with Me110s and Me109s which had come to the rescue of the bombers.
303 Squadron Operational Record Book – 30 August, Northolt
First operation. In the course of training interception with 6 Blenheims in the afternoon, B Flight contacted with some 60 German bombers, 60 fighters and British fighters having a running battle near Hatfield. FO Paszkiewicz brought down one Do 17 (destroyed) while the rest of the fighters escorted the Blenheims safely back to Northolt.
Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 30th August 1940):
* Enemy: 62 confirmed, 21 probable, 29 damaged
* Own: 25 aircraft (10 pilots killed or missing)
Todays’s theme: The Squadrons – 310 Squadron
The Luftwaffe start to change tactics
Sunday, August 29th, 2010
Day 51 – 29th August 1940
Sunday, August 29th, 2010Weather: fine but with some cloud and rain.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 53
- Spitfire – 230
- Hurricane – 412
- Defiant – 18
- Gladiator – 7
- Total – 720
The morning was quiet but the afternoon produced massive fighter sweeps flown by the Luftwaffe. Over 500 Me109s, together with 100 Me110s, flew over Kent. They were hoping to attract the RAF into the air so that they could be destroyed. 11 Group had been expecting at least a small element of bombers in this group. So when they saw that the Luftwaffe was fielding a purely fighter formation, in accordance with Park’s orders, they avoided combat. The Scilly Isles were once again bombed and machine gunned that afternoon and there were reports that the islanders wanted to be evacuated. The RAF lost 9 aircraft that day, but this was against a score of 17 enemy aircraft shot down.
That night Liverpool was hit once again.
501 Squadron Operational Record Book – 29 August
The Squadron was released until 12:00 hours. They left for Hawkinge at 12:55 and patrol carried out from 15:45 to 16:30. No interceptions were made. The Squadron again took off at 18:00 to patrol Gravesend at Angels 15 over Hawkinge. The Squadron were attacked by 9 Me109s out of the sun. Flt Lt J A A Gibson baled out after his aircraft had been shot up, and Sgt Lacey shot down the Me109. Sgt Green also baled out and was picked up near Hawkinge. The Squadron’s victories were 2 Me109s destroyed.
Cyril Shoesmith Diary – Aged 14, Bexhill on Sea – Thursday 29 August
Had 2 air raids today. In the 1st one, which was from 3.20-5 we watched a dog fight in the air. There was [sic] about thirty planes. Machine gun fire could be heard. Saw 3 planes in 6.15-7.30 raid.
Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary 29th August 1940):
* Enemy: 9 confirmed, 10 probable, 5 damaged
* Own: 9 aircraft with 2 pilots killed or missing.
Todays’s theme: The Planes They Flew In – the JU88
Churchill visits ‘Hell-Fire Corner’
Saturday, August 28th, 2010