Archive for the ‘July 1940’ Category
Bloody Wednesday in Olkusz, Poland
Saturday, July 31st, 2010Day 22 – July 31st 1940
Saturday, July 31st, 2010Weather: fair everywhere.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 63
- Spitfire – 239
- Hurricane – 348
- Defiant – 25
- Total – 675
Scattered raiders flew over the south coast. Then, late in the afternoon 15 Me109s approached Dover. Several squadrons intercepted and a considerable fight followed. The RAF flew 395 sorties and 11 Group shot down 5 German aircraft for a loss of 3 RAF fighters.
Thus, ended July. The Luftwaffe in the month had sunk 18 coastal vessels and also sunk 4 destroyers. They had destroyed 77 RAF planes for the loss of 216 German aircraft.
74 Squadron Operational Record Book, 31 July
Total casualties to date (enemy) 30 confirmed, 19 unconfirmed. Our casualties – 7 pilots missing – 2 known to be POWs in Germany, 1 Sgt pilot in military hospital, Dover, slightly wounded.
Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary):
- Enemy: Fighters – 1 confirmed; Bombers – 2 unconfirmed.
- Own: 2 Spitfires (both 74 Squadron)
Today’s theme: Top Gun Gallery – ‘Sailor’ Malan
For further background see the RAF Campaign Dairy 31st July 1940
Week 3 Summary: Trouble with the Enemy’s Seaplanes
Friday, July 30th, 2010
Heinkel 59 Floatplane, copyright RAF Museum Hendon
The German Red Cross seaplanes were, unfortunately, to become an issue with the RAF. They bore civilian markings with a big red cross painted on the side of the fuselage. The trouble was that these aircraft, usually Heinkel 59s, carried an air gunner. The suspicion was that RAF fighters who took these seaplanes, as bent on a mercy mission, could fall into the trap of being shot down by the air gunner. It was also thought likely that these sea planes could be shadowing the British convoys and feeding back information about their location, thus putting them at an increased risk.
The powers that be, in the Air Ministry, were getting worried about these sea planes. Eventually, the decision was taken that they should be attacked, particularly if at the time it looked as though they were shadowing the convoys. It was to be a contentious matter. Some of our pilots did subsequently shoot down these seaplanes. Others did not. Goebbels the German Propaganda Minister complained of RAF barbarism. On 14th July, Fighter Command issued a statement to pilots saying that these so-called rescue planes could not be guaranteed immunity unless it was clear that they were engaged in rescue efforts. On 29th July, the Air Ministry issued a statement to the same effect.
Bomber Command attacks German airfields
Friday, July 30th, 2010
Day 21 – July 30th 1940
Friday, July 30th, 2010Weather: unsettled with poor visibility.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 74
- Spitfire – 232
- Hurricane – 333
- Defiant – 23
- Gladiator – 8 (1 Flight only)
- Total – 662
Fighter Command flew 688 sorties and succeeded in shooting down 2 German aircraft with no loss to themselves. Barry docks were attacked that night.
266 Squadron Operational Record Book, 30 July
Average temperature, sky overcast, visibility poor. Flying 3 hours. B Flight at readiness, Ac Flight available. Practices included Air Fighting tactics and sector reconnaissance. Raid investigation by one aircraft of Ac Flight.
Hitler plans the invasion of Russia
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
Day 20 – July 29th 1940
Thursday, July 29th, 2010Weather: fair.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 66
- Spitfire – 241
- Hurricane – 328
- Defiant – 20
- Total – 639
The Air Ministry issued a statement saying that German Red Cross sea planes would not be granted immunity unless they were clearly engaged in rescuing downed pilots. Meanwhile, a raid of 48 Stukas and 80 covering Me109s approached Dover. They were intercepted by 41 and 501 Squadrons. A second raid occurred in the afternoon which was similar in character. Altogether, in the fighting that day, the Luftwaffe lost 6 aircraft and Fighter Command lost 3. 758 sorties were flown by the RAF.
17 Squadron Operational Record Book, 29 July, Debden
Convoy protection patrols were maintained throughout the day, and while on patrol at 15:10 hours Blue Section was ordered to intercept raid. A He111 was sighted at 14,000 feet below cloud and the Section gave chase in line a stern. Flt Lt Bayne, the Blue Leader, delivered a frontal attack out of the sun, followed by a no. 1 attack, firing all his ammunition. The enemy aircraft dropped its undercarriage and jettisoned its bombs, pieces being seen to fall away from it and smoke pouring from both engines. FO Bird-Wilson (Blue 2) and PO Wissler (Blue 3) followed the Blue Leader with frontal and no. 1 attacks, Blue 3 experiencing some fire from the rear gunner but sustaining no hits. After further attack the enemy aircraft crashed into the sea and 3 of the crew were seen to climb into a rubber boat.
Today’s theme: Unsung Heroes – The Royal Observer Corps
Day 19 – July 28th 1940
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010Weather: fair but cloudy in the evening.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:
- Blenheim – 66
- Spitfire – 245
- Hurricane – 328
- Defiant – 26
- Total – 665
In the morning, a number of bombers attacked targets in Cornwall, Cardiff and Newport. At midday, a substantial Luftwaffe formation approached Dover but turned back without dropping any bombs and then dispersed. In the early afternoon, a large force of bombers accompanied by Me109s, around fifty of each, approached Dover. 74, 41, 11 and 257 Squadrons engaged them. Fighter Command that day flew 758 sorties with a loss of 2 Spitfires and 3 Me109s were shot down.
266 Squadron Operational Record Book, 28 July
Warm, visibility very good. Flying 18 hours 10 minutes. B Flight at readiness. Ac Flight available. Practices included tactical exercise in conjunction with aircraft of no. 23 (Blenheim) Squadron and aircraft of no. 229 (Hurricane) Squadron. Night flying tests and patrol.
Today’s theme: Captains and Commanders – Albert Kesselring
