This
is the date after which I believe Hitler's chances will rapidly dwindle.
The weather holds good in
a miraculous manner but there are faint premonitory puffs of wind from
the South- West and a chill in the air. Dispatches received through Switzerland
say that there are the beginnings of a press campaign in Germany breaking
the news to the people that England is to be subdued by blockade and bombing.
If this is true, Hitler is on the downgrade. I can’t for the life of me
puzzle out what the Germans are up to. They have great air power and yet
are dissipating it in fruitless and aimless attacks all over England. They
must have an exaggerated idea of the damage they are doing and the effects
of their raids on public morale. . . . Just as I finish writing this, the
heavy guns commence giving tongue and the little Irish maid comes in to
turn down the bed. She went over to Victoria to see the plane which crashed
there and is very pleased because she saw the dead German crew extracted
from the wreckage.
RAYMOND
LEE, United States Military Attaché in London, 15th September 1940
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER
15th 1940 (afternoon)
WEATHER:
The fine conditions
of the morning was expected to give way to incoming cloud although it was
expected to remain dry. This cloud was expected to be strato-cumulus providing
about 8/10ths cover at a height of 5,000 feet. Wind was expected to be
slight and from the north-west.
OPERATIONS
IN DETAIL:
1300hrs:
The radar stations along the Kent coast pick up movements across the
Channel. It was the commencement of German bombers busily forming up for
yet another raid on the British capital. Fighter Command are notified,
but as there is no indication yet that the bombers are heading across the
coast, it was just a 'wait and see' game, and Keith Park was content at
this stage just to know the various squadron strength after the mornings
combat action.
1330hrs:
It is now evident that there is a massive build up west of the Calais-Boulogne
area, and it seemed that this was to be a repeat of the Luftwaffe's
morning performance. The question here was......would the Luftwaffe use
a greater number of bombers for this second raid. After all, the mornings
raid was nothing short of a disgraceful attempt, although one must give
full credit to Fighter Command in forcing the Luftwaffe to submit and return
back to their bases.
If the Luftwaffe
was to use greater numbers in the afternoons raid, they would have to use
a maximum fighter escort not only all the way on the outward journey, but
on the homeward leg as well. They should stay in position higher and behind
the bombers for the duration of the raid at the expense of the usual feints
that were normally carried out as this would only consume additional fuel
which, for the Bf109s was a precious commodity. The German shortage of
fighters compelled the division of the attack, so that some would be used
twice and so that the second attack could, and with lick, catch many of
Park's fighters on the ground, re-arming and refuelling. [1]
All squadrons
that had been involved with the mornings action, were again placed at readiness
and this included the Duxford Wing and the two squadrons from 10 Group.
As time progressed, radar had reported that the formation had broke up
into three distinct groups, and that it was possible that each group was
following a short distance behind another.
1400hrs:
Even though all the squadrons had been brought to readiness, some squadrons,
especially those some distance from London were still being re-armed and
refuelled, and quite a few pilots were not with their squadrons. These had
been shot down or baled out of their stricken aircraft and had made their
way to other airfields and had telephoned in to their home bases, while
some were being ferried back but had not yet arrived. Those that
had got back, found the time to have a bit of lunch while their aircraft
were in the hands of the ground crews. This was one of the reasons that
the Luftwaffe had made this second raid so soon after midday, as they knew
that it would take Fighter Command to take at least two hours to get all
their squadrons back to full strength. The hoped that by the time that
they crossed the English coast that most of the RAF fighters would
still be on the ground.
The German formations
that were approaching the Kent coast was made up of three distinct formations.
All consisted of Dornier Do17s, Heinkel He111s and Dornier 215s from KG/2,
KG/53 and KG/76. Smaller gruppes came from KG/1, KG/4 and KG/26 which made
up a total bomber force of 170 aircraft. These were supported by Bf110
and Bf109s as escorts and their number was in excess of 300. [2]
Most of the
bomber formations had come from airfields in the Beauvais and Antwerp areas.
Park scrambled
squadrons in almost the same order as he had done so only three hours earlier,
but because the German formation had taken less time in 'forming up' the
11 Group commander had less time to get his fighters into the air, coupled
with the fact that some squadrons were still re-arming and refuelling, the
efficiency was not as good as it had been during the morning period.
1410hrs:
Keith Park could see the incoming raid building up quickly and immediately
his sector controllers of the afternoon raid. The station controllers then
notified the squadrons who were placed on "standby". 12 Group were called
up by 11 Group who again requested maximum assistance just as they had
done during the morning period. The same applied to 10 Group. Within a
couple of minutes, following a similar pattern that had proved so successful
during the morning, 11 Group "scrambled " eleven squadrons and placed the
rest on "standby". At the same time, Wing Commander Woodall at Duxford,
"scrambled " his Duxford Wing which comprised 19 Squadron (Spitfires),
242 Squadron (242 Squadron (Hurricanes), 302 Squadron (Hurricanes), 310
Squadron (Hurricanes) and 611 Squadron (Spitfires). The only change that
Park made that differed from the morning attack, was that he held more
of his fighters back giving orders that they patrol areas to the east,
south and west of London. The squadrons that were vectored to the forward
areas were mainly instructed to attack the enemy fighters. This was probably
due to the fact that by forcing the enemy escorts into combat early, they
would use up far more fuel, and the morning raid had showed him that the
bombers were far more vulnerable when the reached the outskirts of London,
and the net result was that Fighter Command inflicted far more damage to
aircraft over London than over the Kent coast.
1415hrs:
The first of the bomber formations crossed the Kent coast between Dungeness
and Dover, with the other formations behind and flying at 15 minute intervals.
The actual times of the bombers crossing the coast was at 1415hrs, 1430hrs
and 1440hrs. The combined formation was mainly He111s, Do17s and Do215s.
The Observer Corps estimated that the total enemy bomber force was between
150 and 200 bombers. The escorts, flying as close escort and high altitude
cover were the usual Bf110s and Bf109s and it is estimated that these numbered
approximately 400. In total, a combined force of 600 plus aircraft heading
north towards London on a front some thirty miles wide.
1430hrs:
The first engagements took place over Kent. Squadrons from Hornchurch intercepted
a large formation of Dorniers south of Canterbury. Diving down in line
astern they managed to destroy two of the bombers and another couple were
wheeling away leaving behind a trail of thick black smoke. But they were
jumped upon by Bf109s and intense combat took place between the fighters
of both sides allowing the Do17s to continue their journey. Two aircraft
of the Hornchurch squadrons were damaged.
Another formation
consisting of Dornier Do17s and Heinkel He111s was detected south of Maidstone,
and without any Bf109 protection, they became the targets for 73 Squadron
Debden (Hurricanes) who managed to destroy three of the bombers without
loss to themselves. West of this attack near Dartford, 66 Squadron Gravesend
(Spitfires) and 72 Squadron Croydon (Spitfires) intercepted another column
of enemy aircraft where again, as with the others the combat action was
intense. The Spitfires weaved in and out of the bombers managing to avoid
collision in the huge traffic jam that was forming. Bombers started to
take evasive action by banking either left or right. Just as another bomber
formation was approaching from the south, the mêlée was joined
by 249 Squadron North Weald (Hurricanes) and 504 Squadron Hendon (Hurricanes)
and the large colossus of enemy bombers went into a frantic flight pattern.
73 Squadron who had engaged the formation from the outset, had now been
entwined into the huge dogfight as well as 253 Squadron Kenley (Hurricanes).
The western
flank saw Do17s, He111s and Ju88s which numbered about eighty curve right
from Kent, across the outskirts of Surrey and heading towards the western
side of London. A terrific battle ensued as fighters from 213 Squadron
Tangmere (Hurricanes) and 607 Squadron Tangmere (Hurricanes) which had
been vectored to cover Biggin Hill intercepted the large formation. Again,
Bf109s were seen to the south of London, but decided not to come to the
aid of the bomber formation which managed to get mauled by the Hurricane
squadrons. This was one of the most intense battles. The British fighter
tore into the enemy like hungry cats to a flock of wounded birds.
I
started to chase one Dornier which was flying through the tops of the clouds.
Did you ever see that film "Hells Angels?" You'll remember how the Zeppelin
came so slowly out of the cloud. Well, this Dornier reminded me of that.
I attacked him four times altogether. When he first appeared through the
cloud—you know how clouds go up and down like foam on water —I fired at
him from the left, swung over to the right, turned in towards another hollow
in the cloud, where I expected him to reappear, and fired at him again.
After my fourth attack he dived down headlong into a clump of trees in
front of a house, and I saw one or two cars parked in the gravel drive
in front. I wondered whether there was anyone in the doorway watching the
bomber crash. Then I climbed up again to look for some more trouble and
found it in the shape of a Heinkel III which was being attacked by three
Hurricanes and a couple of Spitfires.
I had a
few cracks at the thing before it made a perfect landing on an RAF aerodrome.
The Heinkels undercarriage collapsed and the pilot pulled up, after skidding
50 yards in a cloud of dust. I saw a tall man get out of the right-hand
side of the aircraft, and when I turned back he was helping a small man
across the aerodrome towards a hangar.
Squadron
leader John Sample 501 Squadron Kenley
1450hrs:
Even though most of the attacking bombers had been thrown off their planned
flight path, many of them managed to get through to the southern areas
of London. If they thought that most of Fighter Commands fighters were
behind them and still engaged in combat over Kent and Surrey, they were
in for a big surprise. Now, as in the morning session, they were met by
49 fighters of Bader's "Duxford Wing". Combine this with a number of other
squadrons that had followed the leading bombers and two other squadrons
that had just joined the action, a total of some 150 more fighters awaited
them.
Every
squadron in 11 Group had intercepted, and at that moment I saw Douglas
Bader's wing of five squadrons coming in from Duxford. This was the day
that Goering had said to his fighters the RAF was down to their last 50
Spitfires. But they'd run up against twenty-three squadrons for a start,
when they were on their way in, and then, when they got over London, with
the Messerschmitt 109s running out of fuel, in comes Douglas Bader with
sixty more fighters....."
Flight Lieutenant
R.W. Oxspring 66 Squadron Fighter Command
Again, Bader
ordered the Spitfires to attack the Bf109s, who for some strange reason
had not left their bombers early as on previous occasions, while the Hurricanes
attacked the bombers. They were at a disadvantage as they were still climbing
and had not had the time to get into position. The "Duxford Wing" leader
complained later that it was the case again of being called on far too
late, but the real reason this time was that the Germans had formed up
much quicker this time that almost caught even Keith Park off guard.
But this was
not to be the best of afternoons for Bader:
......the
Wing was scrambled again to patrol North Weald, and Bader led them through
a gap in the clouds.
At 16,000
feet, flak bursts ahead, and in moments he saw the bombers; about forty
of them, some 4,000 feet above the Hurricanes. Damn! Everything risked
again because they were scrambled too late. Throttle hard on, the thundering
Hurricane had her nose steeply lifted, nearly hanging on her propeller
at about 100 m.p.h.
A voice screamed:
“109’s behind.”
Over his
shoulder the yellow spinners were diving on them and he yelled as he steep-turned,
“Break up!” Around him the sky was full of wheeling Hurricanes and 109’s.
A yellow spinner was sitting behind his tail, and as he yanked harder back
on the stick an aeroplane shot by, feet away. Bader hit its slipstream
and the Hurricane shuddered, stalled and spun off the turn. He let it spin
a few turns to shake off the 109 and came out of it at 5,000 feet. All
clear behind.
Far above
a lone Dornier was heading for France, and he climbed and chased it a long
way, hanging on his propeller nearly at stalling speed again. Near the
coast he was just about in range and fired a three-second burst, but the
recoil of the guns slowed the floundering Hurricane till she suddenly stalled
and spun off again. He pulled out and searched the sky but the enemy had
vanished.
Paul Brickhill
Reach for the Sky Collins 1954 pp221-222
When Bader had
first spun out, he almost collided with P/O Denis Crowley-Milling, and
it was while in Crowley-Milling's slipstream that he went into the spin
and did not pull out until 5,000 feet. Bader was annoyed, possibly only
with himself that it had happened, but not being able to gain height to
attack another bomber only rubbed salt into the wound.
The combat action
over the southern and south western areas of London was intense. The formation
that had been intercepted as far away as Maidstone somehow managed to straggle
through, many of the Bf109s managed to stay as long as they could, but
with fuel tanks getting into the danger zone, they had to break off and
leave many of the bombers at the mercy of the British fighters. The German
bombers, who had intended to drop their bomb loads on London itself, had
jettisoned them in scattered areas in London's eastern and southern suburbs
that suffered most. The most severe damage was done in West Ham, East Ham,
Stratford, Stepney, Hackney, Erith, Dartford and Penge. Fighter Command
now had everything that they possessed in the air, even the Station Commander
of Northolt Group Captain S.F. Vincent.
1500hrs: 303 Squadron had been ordered up at Northolt at 1420hrs and were vectored to cover the north Kent coast along the Thames. The squadron consisted of nine Hurricanes and was led by S/L
R. Kellett when they sighted a large formation coming towards them. Interception was made over Gravesend. The Squadron Intelligence Report describes the action on this day:
S/L Kellett was ordered to patrol Northolt at 20,000 ft. and took off with the nine serviceable machines. The other Squadrons had left sometime previously and 303 operated throughout alone. On reaching a height of 6000 ft. the Squadron was vectored 100 degrees and
climbed over the l.A.Z. When still 2,000 ft below their patrol level, they sighted coming head on from the southeast a very large
formation of bombers and fighters. The Bombers were in vics of three sections line astern with Me11Os in sq formation between the
vics of Bombers. To the flanks and stepped up above to 25,000 ft. were many formations of Me1O9s. Blue Section had got rather in
front of the others, and wheeling round to let them come up. S/L Kellett had to deliver a quarter frontal attack instead of head on.
This
he did initially with only the other two members of Blue Section - Sgt.
Wojciechowski and P/O Zak. Probably as there were a lot of
clouds about, the enemy imagined that this was the advance guard of a large force and began to wheel towards the east, and when the
other two sections came in they turned completely to the east. After the first rush the Me11Os and the 109s fell upon the nine
Hurricanes which were compelled to defend themselves individually as best they could, and escaped destruction in the clouds. As it
was, four of the aircraft which returned were slightly damaged by enemy fire, one, Sgt Adruszkow’s, was destroyed, the pilot baling
out unhurt at Dartford, and Sgt Brzezowski is missing.
Intelligence Report of 303 Squadron Northolt 11 Group Sept 15th 1940
303 Squadron was in the air just one hour and ten minutes before they returned back to Northolt. In this time, they had destroyed three Dornier Do215's, two Messerschmitt Bf110's and one Bf109. One Do215 was seen to break away from the combat action trailing smoke and losing altitude, but its fate is not known and the squadron was also credited with a probable. But only seven of the nine Hurricanes returned, with one pilot missing and another Hurricane crashing near Dartford with the pilot managing to bale out of his aircraft.
Flying Officer
R.H. Oxspring of 66 Squadron Gravesend (Spitfires) said later that every
squadron in 11 Group and the five squadrons from Duxford had in some way
intercepted raiders and engaged combat. For the enemy bomber crews, it
was now a no win situation. They were outnumbered over their target area,
so much so that accurate bombing was virtually impossible. More and more
squadrons were moving into areas to cut off any retreat so that when they
did decide to abort, trying to get into the protection of the cloud cover
would be their only hope of survival. Group Captain Vincent wrote in his
report:
I
was climbing over Northolt to watch the Northolt Wing in action, and saw
approximately five miles S.W. and west of base, streamers from very high
enemy fighters. When at 20,000 feet, I saw approaching from the south I
saw a formation of about 18 He111s at approx. 17,000 feet with a very large
number of Me109's, on each side, above and behind, mostly about 2,000 feet
above the bombers.
I was therefore
able to carry out a head on attack on the bombers, breaking away below,
and then one from vertically below and stalling away - I was unable to
see any possible result of either attack owing to the Me109's. The bombers
then turned back to the south.
I climbed
up towards the sun and tried to attack a Me109 but had to leave it owing
to others coming down onto me from above, but saw three Me109's chasing
a Hurricane at right angles to me from left to right, and when the Hurricane
dived away (straightening out 5,000 feet below) and the Me's turned back
onto their course. I was able to get in a good position on the tail of
the third one. Before I opened fire I saw No.1 burst into flames, and the
pilot jump out in a parachute; he had obviously been shot down by No.2
who was close in astern of him.
I gave one
very short burst of about one second at No.3 at about 200 yards and immediately
pieces came off from the port side of his fuselage, I estimate, to the
south of Farnborough. I could not then see No.2 as my attention was diverted
by the two parachutes.
All Me109's
had light blue undersurfaces and dull grey mottled top surfaces with black
crosses on fuselages.
Group Captain
S.F. Vincent Station Commander Northolt 11 Group Sept 15th 1940
One of the
Luftwaffe pilots who had to make a rather ungracious landing was the veteran
Professor von Wedel. Like most of the Bf 109 pilots, they stayed with the
Dorniers as long as possible, but the fuel situation forced them to leave
early leaving the bombers in a very vulnerable position. On the return
journey, his flight of Bf 109s were attacked by 605 Squadron Croydon, 1
RCAF Squadron Northolt and 229 Squadron Northolt all flying Hurricanes.
It is believed that one of the Hurricanes of 1 RCAF Squadron followed von
Wedel down, the veteran not being able to out manoeuvre the Hurricane, was
hit and his Bf 109 had lost its controls. He tried in vain to make a landing
on Romney Marsh, but the controls did not respond, and he made a heavy
wheels up landing at a farmhouse, destroying a shed in which a mother and
daughter were sitting in a car awaiting the father who was about to take
them out on a Sunday drive. Both mother and daughter were killed instantly.
A local policeman arrived on the scene to find a battered and bruised von
Wedel wandering around in an almost tearful state, and as he apologized
to the policeman for what he had done, the constable simply asked " would
you like a cup of tea sir !!!!".
Sgt P.R Eyles 92
Squadron Biggin Hill (Spitfires) picks up a Do17 heading south and attacks.
A short burst at first has no impact and he has to circle round and decides
to have another attack. He gains a little height then sweeps down preparing
to make an astern attack. Another short burst and pieces fly off the starboard
side of the bomber and the tell tale smoke from the starboard engine indicates
damage. As the Spitfire banks away he jumped on from above by Bf109
but the Biggin Hill pilot reacts quickly and take evasive action. He starts
to climb and has lost sight of the German fighter, and looks for the crippled
Dornier below. It continues its journey and could not have suffered too
much damage as it is still flying straight and level.
The sergeant
lines up his Spitfire to make another attack when he spots the Bf109 on
his port side coming at him. He turns and attempts a beam attack on the
109. As they close in at an impact speed of something over five hundred
miles an hour, both seem to fire at the same time, the Spitfire vibrates
slightly, but does not seem to be damaged too severely, it is still responsive
and all dials and controls seem to be behaving normally. Smoke poured from
the engine area of the Messerschmitt and it starts to lose altitude in
graceful fashion then levels out. Sgt Eyles pulls back on the stick and
gains altitude. The recognizable wake of smoke heading out over the Kent
coastline indicates the Dornier is making progress. The Spitfire heads
in that direction, gaining height all the time. No other aircraft seem
to be in the area to impede his next attack.
His combat report
states that he was well across the Channel before he caught up with the
bomber where he made another attack and saw more pieces fly off the fuselage
and the other engine catch fire, but seeing a number of small specs coming
at him from the French coast, decided to call it a day and head back towards
base only claiming the Do17 as a probable.
Sgt Eyles
was to try a similar action three days later, but was shot down by Major
Moelders off the coast near Dungeness and was never seen again.
The
bulk of the fighting took place over London and its outskirts from Dartford
westward, where five pairs of squadrons from 11 Group and the wing from
12 Group were all in action between ten minutes to three and a quarter
past, mainly with the third formation but probably also with survivors
of the other two. In the course of the action the enemy distributed a big
bombload over London and its outskirts, scoring several lucky hits on public
utilities and railways. At East Ham a gas-holder and a telephone exchange
were wrecked; and considerable damage was done to a variety of targets
on both banks of the river at West Ham and Erith. Many other riverside
boroughs reported hits; but the harm done was nothing like as great as
that sustained eight days before in the first of the big daylight raids
on London. Again retiring by two distinct routes, the attackers were engaged
on the way out by another four squadrons, including two from 10 Group.
Guns of the inner artillery zone and the Thames and Medway defences were
also in action and claimed a number of successes."
Basil Collier,
The Defence of the United Kingdom, HMSO, 1957
Meanwhile, Flight Lieutenant
W.G. Clouston
of 19 Squadron Duxford (Spitfires) took the two sections of his squadron
to attack a formation of Do17s over Shoeburyness. Making their attack in
line astern they made their attacks before any Bf109s arrived. F/L Couston
lined up one, and gave a series of short bursts, one of the engines of
the Dornier exploded in flame and smoke. Before he lost sight of it, ten
feet of the bombers wing broke away and fell earthwards causing the bomber
to roll over and spiral down to a watery grave below.
1600hrs: As the last of the
bombers were being chased back across the Channel, and many of the squadrons
who has fought one of the heaviest air combats of the Battle of Britain
retired to their respective aerodromes, another small raid had been detected
and was approaching the Dorset town of Portland. It was just a small force
of about ten He111s and 10 Group scrambled 152 Squadron Warmwell (Spitfires),
607 Squadron Tangmere (Hurricanes) and 609 Squadron Warmwell (Spitfires).
The enemy target was the Woolston Spitfire factory which was hit, the bombing
was not accurate and severe damage was kept to a minimum. 602 and 609 Squadrons
both intercepted after the bombers attacked their target, and both claimed
that they had destroyed two aircraft each.
1800hrs: A small formation
of Bf110s from Erpro 210, once the crack dive bombing gruppe of the Luftwaffe,
made an attack again on the Woolston factory complex. Most of the British
fighters that had been up on constant sorties during the afternoon had
returned to their bases and by this time were busy being rearmed, refuelled
and many were undergoing their usual repairs from damage sustained during
the hectic afternoon. Therefore the Bf110s were free from any attack or
interception by Hurricanes or Spitfires. The task of defence was by the
AA gun batteries who put up a tremendous fight in defence with accurate
gunfire, which although they did not shoot down any enemy aircraft, the
barrage that they put up was so aggressive that not a single bomb was dropped
onto the Spitfire factory.
As the afternoon attack came slowly
to an end, one by one the often tired and exhausted pilots returned to
their bases. It had been a long and hectic day, Many of the pilots stated
that 'they had very close to buying it' but such was their determination
that saw them through, yet each one still had to remember that he was not
invincible, the thought of death was still a reality, but many put it to
the back of their minds.
Some
of us would die within the next few days. That was inevitable. But you
did not believe that it would be you. Death was always present, and we
knew it for what it was. If we had to die, we would be alone, smashed to
pieces, burnt alive, or drowned. Some strange, protecting veil kept the
nightmare thought from our minds, as did the loss of our friends. Their
disappearance struck us as less a solid blow than a dark shadow which chilled
our hearts and passed on.
Squadron
Leader Peter Townsend 85 Squadron RAF (later Group Captain)
But the day belonged
to Royal Air Force Fighter Command, they were unaware of it then, but they
had achieved something on September 15th 1940 that would go down in world
history. Their guts, determination and courage was at long last to pay
off, they would turn the tide in controlling the skies over south-east
England. This day was to belong to them, and in future years was to become
known as "Battle of Britain Day".
"This
time, for a change, we outnumbered the hun, and believe me, no more than
eight got home from that party.
At one time
you could see planes going down on fire all over the place, and the sky
seemed full of parachutes. It was sudden death that morning, for our fighters
shot them to blazes.
Squadron
Leader Douglas Bader 242 Squadron RAF Fighter Command
CASUALTIES:
For this day only, to indicate
the severity of the days combat actions the full casualty list is displayed.
Aircraft shown in red are those
that were lost or destroyed
1140hrs: Croydon. Hurricane
L2122. 605 Squadron Croydon
P/O R.E. Jones unhurt. (Shot down
in combat with Do17s and Bf109s. Pilot baled out of damaged aircraft)
1150hrs: Sevenoaks Kent. Hurricane
N2537. 229 Squadron Northolt
P/O G.L.D. Doutrepont
killed. (Crashed onto Staplehurst Railway Station after being
shot down by Bf109s)
1200hrs: Sevenoaks Kent. Hurricane
V6616. 229 Squadron Northolt
P/O R.R. Smith wounds to leg. (Baled
out after combat with Do215 and Bf110s)
1210hrs: Tunbridge Wells.
Hurricane P3080. 1 RCAF Squadron Northolt
F/O A.D. Nesbitt wounded. (Shot down
by Bf109. Baled out)
1210hrs: Tunbridge Wells.
Hurricane P3876. 1 RCAF Squadron Northolt
F/O R. Smither
killed.
(Attacked and shot down by Bf109. Pilot failed to bale
out)
1215hrs: London. Hurricane
P2725. 504 Squadron Hendon
Sgt R.T. Holmes unhurt. (Baled out
after aircraft damaged by Bf109 crashed in Buckingham Palace Rd)
1215hrs: Canterbury. Spitfire
R6767. 92 Squadron Biggin Hill
Fl/Sgt C. Sydney unhurt. (Returned
to base with damage to wing after combat with Bf109s)
1220hrs: Maidstone. Hurricane
P3865. 73 Squadron Debden
P/O R.A. Marchand
killed. (Crashed into farm at Teynham after being shot down
by Bf109s)
1225hrs: London. Hurricane
L1913. 504 Squadron Hendon
F/O M.E.A. Royce unhurt. (Returned
to base with oil cooler problem after combat action)
1230hrs: Thames Estuary. Hurricane
P3642. 257 Squadron Debden
P/O C.F.A. Capon unhurt. (Made forced
landing at Croydon after combat action)
1230hrs: London. Spitfire
R6690. 609 Squadron Warmwell
P/O G.N. Gaunt
killed. (Crashed in flames near Kenley after being hit by gunfire
from Bf110)
1230hrs: London. Hurricane
N2599. 46 Squadron North Weald
Sgt C.A.L. Hurry unhurt. (Returned
to base with damage to mainplane)
1230hrs: Thurrock Essex. Spitfire
P9324. 41 Squadron Hornchurch
P/O G.A. Langley
killed. (Crashed into building after being shot down by Bf109s)
1230hrs: Middle Wallop. Spitfire
K9997. 609 Squadron Warmwell
P/O E.Q. Tobin unhurt. (Crashed into
airfield truck on landing approach)
1235hrs: Thames Estuary. Hurricane
P3620. 257 Squadron Debden
Fl/Lt P.M. Brothers unhurt. (Landed
at Biggin Hill for safety check with damage sustained in combat)
1235hrs: Ashford. Hurricane
V7433. 501 Squadron Kenley
S/L H.A.V. Hogan unhurt. (Damaged
in cooling system after combat with Bf109s. Made forced landing)
1245hrs: London. Hurricane
V6576. 242 Squadron Coltishall
Fl/Lt G.E. Ball unhurt. (Made forced
landing with damaged aircraft after combat action)
1245hrs: Ashford. Hurricane
P2760. 501 Squadron Kenley
P/O A.E.A
von den Hove d'Ertsenrijck killed. (Aircraft exploded in mid-air
after hit by gunfire from Bf109)
1245hrs: Kent. Hurricane P2903.
303 Squadron Northolt
P/O W. Lokuciewski leg wounds. (Returned
to base after receiving damage by Bf109)
1258hrs: South London. Hurricane
N2481. 504 Squadron Hendon
P/O J.T. Gurteen
killed. (Shot down by enemy aircraft and crashed at full throttle
into residential house)
1430hrs: Marden. Hurricane
L2012. 605 Squadron Croydon
P/O T.P.M. Cooper-Slipper injured.
(Hit by gunfire from Do17. Collided with E/A losing wing. Pilot baled out)
1430hrs: Thames Estuary. Hurricane
R4087. 310 Squadron Duxford
Sgt J. Hubacek slight injuries. (Baled
out after aircraft was hit by Bf109 gunfire)
1435hrs: S.E. London. Hurricane
V6566. 249 Squadron North Weald
P/O K.T. Lofts unhurt. (Crash landed
at West Malling after attacked by Bf109 while attacking He111)
1440hrs: Rye Kent. Hurricane
P2884. 242 Squadron Coltishall
Fl/L G. ff Powell-Sheddon slight injuries.
(Shot down by Bf109 while attacking Do17 and baled out)
1445hrs: North Weald. Hurricane
P2954. 302 Squadron Duxford
Fl/Lt T.P. Chlopik
killed. (Shot down by enemy aircraft. Baled out but died on
landing)
1445hrs: Thames Estuary. Hurricane
R4085. 310 Squadron Duxford
P/O A. Hess unhurt. (Shot down in
flames by enemy aircraft and pilot baled out safely)
1445hrs: S.E. London. Hurricane
N2705. 504 Squadron Hendon
F/O M. Jebb
died of injuries 19.9.40. (Crashed at Dartford after combat
with enemy aircraft)
1445hrs: South of London.
Hurricane L1973. 1 RCAF Squadron Northolt
F/O A. Yuile wounded. (Returned to
base with severe damage after combat with He111 and poss Bf109s)
1450hrs: Ashford. Spitfire
R6606. 92 Squadron Biggin Hill
P/O R.H. Holland slight injuries.
(Injuries sustained on landing after baling out of damaged aircraft)
1450hrs: S of London. Spitfire
II P7303. 611 Squadron Digby
F/O T.D. Williams unhurt. (Returned
to base with severe damage after combat with He111)
1500hrs: Dartford. Hurricane
P3939. 303 Squadron Northolt
Sgt T. Andruszkow unhurt. (Baled out
after being hit by gunfire from Bf109)
1500hrs: Ashford. Spitfire
P9513. 92 Squadron Biggin Hill
P/O A.C. Bartley unhurt. (Returned
to base with damage after combat with Do17)
1500hrs: Over Channel. Spitfire
R6991. 19 Squadron Duxford
Sub/Lt A.G. Blake unhurt. (Made forced
landing in Kent after combat action)
1500hrs: Maidstone. Hurricane
P3515. 242 Squadron Coltishall
Sub/Lt R.J. Cork unhurt. (Made landing
at Rochford. Damage to cockpit and wings in combat with Bf109)
1500hrs: North Kent. Hurricane
R2685. 303 Squadron Northolt
P/O M. Feric unhurt. (Returned to
base after aircraft damaged by gunfire from Bf109s)
1500hrs: North Kent. Hurricane
V7465. 303 Squadron Northolt
S/L R.G. Kellett unhurt. (Returned
to base with damaged aircraft after action with Bf109s)
1500hrs: Hawkhurst. Hurricane
P3113. 213 Squadron Tangmere
Sgt R.T. Llewellyn badly wounded.
(Shot down in combat with Bf110s and baled out)
1500hrs: Kenley. Hurricane
P2836. 238 Squadron Middle Wallop
Sgt L. Pidd
killed. (Baled out after being shot down by enemy aircraft but
was dead on landing)
1500hrs: Kenley. Hurricane
L2089. 238 Squadron Middle Wallop
P/O V.C. Simmonds unhurt. (Returned
to base with damage to aircraft tailplane after combat)
1500hrs: Off Gravesend. Hurricane
V6673. 303 Squadron Northolt
Sgt M. Wajciechowski unhurt. (Returned
to base after aircraft damaged by gunfire from Bf109s)
1505hrs: West Malling. Hurricane
P3920. 238 Squadron Middle Wallop
Fl/Lt M.V. Blake unhurt. (Aircraft
damaged in combat and had to make a forced landing)
1505hrs: Gravesend. Hurricane
P3577. 303 Squadron Northolt
Sgt M. Brzezowski
Listed as missing. (Believed crashed in Estuary after combat
with Bf109s)
1505hrs: North Weald. Hurricane
P3935. 302 Squadron Duxford
Sgt J. Kowalski unhurt. (Aircraft
damaged by enemy aircraft and returned to base)
1505hrs: Kingswood Kent. Spitfire
X4324. 603 Squadron Hornchurch
F/O A.P. Pease
killed.
(Shot down by unknown enemy aircraft. Pilot did not
bale out)
1505hrs: Over Channel. Spitfire
X4070. 19 Squadron Duxford
Sgt J.A. Potter
taken POW. (Ditched damage aircraft off French coast and captured
by German military)
1505hrs: Gravesend. Hurricane
V6684. 303 Squadron Northolt
F/O W. Urbanowicz unhurt. (Returned
to base after aircraft damaged by gunfire from Bf109s)
1505hrs: Gravesend. Hurricane
L2099. 303 Squadron Northolt
F/O W. Zak unhurt. (Returned to base
after aircraft damaged by gunfire from Bf109s)
1510hrs: Kenley. Hurricane
P3462. 238 Squadron Middle Wallop
F/O C.T. Davis unhurt. (Managed to
return to base with damaged aircraft)
1510hrs: Kent. Spitfire
R7019. 603 Squadron Hornchurch
S/L G.L. Denholm unhurt. (Hit by gunfire
from Do17. Baled out of damaged aircraft)
1510hrs: Rye Sussex. Spitfire
R6922. 609 Squadron Warmwell
F/O J.D. Dundas unhurt. (Returned
to base with severe damage after combat with Do17)
1510hrs: Over Channel. Spitfire
P9431. 19 Squadron Duxford
Sgt H.A.C. Roden slight injuries.
(Crash landed after combat with Bf109)
1515hrs: Appledore. Hurricane
V6688. 607 Squadron Tangmere
P/O P.J.T. Stephenson injured. (Collided
with E/A after attack on Do17. Pilot baled out)
1520hrs: Beachy Head. Spitfire
X4412. 602 Squadron Westhampnett
Sgt C.F. Babbage unhurt. (Made forced
landing at Shoreham with damage by gunfire from Do17)
1530hrs: Over Channel. Hurricane
V6698. 253 Squadron Kenley
P/O A.R.H. Barton unhurt. (Damaged
in combat with Do215s. Forced landing at Hawkinge)
1635hrs: Kenley. Hurricane
P3833. 238 Squadron Middle Wallop
P/O A.R. Covington unhurt. (Exhausted
fuel tank and made forced landing near East Grinstead)
Unknown time: Boscombe Down.
Hurricane P3660. 56 Squadron Boscombe Down
Sgt T.R. Tweed
killed. (Failed to come out of spin during dog fight practice
over base)
|
