Battle of Britain
Day 4
Weather - Early morning fog over Southern England clearing early afternoon.
Combat - Late morning sees two small raids approach the South Coast, at the Isle of Wight and Spithead, which are intercepted by Hurricanes of No: 501 and 43 Squadrons.
At 1420hrs about 50 enemy aircraft are sighted off Portland. Hurricanes of No: 238 Squadron and Spitfires of No: 609 Squadron intercept the raid whilst guarding a convoy. A further raid is mounted at about 1530hrs, by Ju-87's of St GI with JG51 providing the escorts, as the convoy passes through the Dover Straits and is met by Hurricanes of No: 56 Squadron who subsequently are attacked by Me-109's.
Dover Harbour is attacked at 1730hrs by Ju-87's and Me-109's and are intercepted by Spitfires of No: 54 and 64 Squadrons. Hurricanes of No: 56 Squadron also meet another raid of about 20 aircraft, at 1800hrs 15 miles off Dover.
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During the night mines are dropped in the Thames Estuary and between Middlesborough and The Wash.
R.A.F. Losses: 8 aircraft damaged or destroyed and 4 pilots killed or missing.
Luftwaffe Losses: 20 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 13 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 3 wounded.
NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.
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]East Africa
The Italian forces in Abyssinia move over the border into Kenya to attack the small town of Moyale. After a brief resistance the outnumbered garrison withdraws.
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German Raiders
- The German armed merchant cruiser Atlantis sinks the British steamer Kemmendine (7769t) in the Indian Ocean. 57 crewmen and 25 passengers are made prisoners of war.
- The German armed merchant cruiser Widder sinks the British steamer King John in the Central Atlantic 250 miles northeast of Sombrero Channel. 5 crewmen are made prisoners of war.
| ]Germany, Planning
After long discussions with his closest collaborators about the time and manner of the attack on Britain, Hitler issues Directive 15 on the invasion of Britain. This directive outlines the strategy to be followed by the 3 services in the operation. The general air offensive is to begin at full strength on August 5 with the main objective being the elimination of the RAF. Göering in fact will not be able to have his plans ready by this date. This lack of efficiency will waste vital days of the fine summer weather. There are 2,669 aircraft available for this purpose divided into 3 'air fleets'. No. 5 under Gen Hans-Jürgen Stumpff, based in Scandinavia, will take on targets in the north of Britain. Gen Albert Kesselring's No. 2 with headquarters in Brussels, will deal with England as far as a line Portsmouth - Oxford - Manchester. The third fleet, No. 3, under Gen Hugo Sperrle, will attack the western and south-western parts of the island.
In a conversation with some of his generals Hitler makes his first real mention of the future necessity to attack Russia. He suggests that England is only fighting on because of the hope of Soviet help.
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