Air Operations, North Africa

RAF and Italian fighter biplanes have an engagement of the Western Desert (Libya). 7 Italian and 2 British (Gladiators) are shot down.

Battle of Britain

Day 30

Weather - Occasional rain with bright intervals between showers. Mainly cloudy in the Channel.

Combat - This day (Thursday) brings some of the biggest raids and most bitter battles so far in the conflict. Major raids are launched throughout the day against the 'Peewit' convoy passing through the Channel. As the convoy passes between Brighton and the Isle of Wight during the morning large attacks are carried out against it. The first, of over 60 aircraft, consisting of Ju-87's of Fliegerkorps VIII and Me-109 escorts of JG27 is met by Hurricanes of No: 145 and 601 Squadrons, while Spitfires of No: 65 Squadron were engaging Me-109's off Dover.

Shortly after midday over 100 aircraft consisting of Ju-87's, Me-109's and Me-110's, elements from JG3, JG26, JG51, JG53 and JG54, make another attack. A massive dogfight breaks out involving Hurricanes of No: 145, 238 and 257 Squadrons and Spitfires of No: 41, 64 and 609 Squadrons off the Isle of Wight. Although losses to the raiders are high, the Me-109's of JG 27 successfully engage the Hurricanes and Spitfires enough to allow the dive-bombers to attack the convoy and inflict serious damage.

The third raid arrives late in the afternoon at about 1600hrs, with over 150 Luftwaffe aircraft approaching Weymouth. Again the Hurricanes of 145 Squadron scramble from Westhampnett to meet the raiders along with Hurricanes of No: 43 and 213 Squadrons and Spitfires of No: 152 Squadron as another bitter dogfight ensues.

RAF fighter pilot James B. Nicholson wins the only Victoria Cross awarded during the Battle of Britain. He attacks a German squadron over the New Forest while his own aircraft was being consumed by flames. The medal was awarded posthumously.

Although No: 145 Squadron, led by Sqn. Ldr. John Peel, inflicts heavy losses on the enemy during the day, the cost to them has also been high with the loss of 5 pilots.

During the night mine laying is suspected along the South coast, Bristol Channel, the Thames Estuary, East Anglian coast and the Humber.

R.A.F. Losses: 25 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 18 pilots and; aircrew (Blenheim) killed or missing and 2 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 45 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 29 pilots and; aircrew killed or missing and 17 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Battle of the Atlantic

• In convoy CW-9 2 British steamers are sunk by German motor torpedo boats. The Holme Force (1216t) is sunk off Newhaven by S-21 and the Fife Coast (367t) about 15 miles west of Beachy Head. 6 are lost on the Holme Force and 5 on the Fife Coast. The British steamer Ouse (1004t) sinks off Newhaven after colliding with the British steamer Rye while trying to avoid a torpedo from one of the German motor torpedo boads. 23 survivors are rescued. In air attacks on the same convoy the British steamers Coquetdale (1597t) and Empire Crusader are sunk 15 miles west of St Catherine's Point. The entire crew of the Coquetdale are rescued. 5 are lost on the Empire Crusader. The Dutch steamer Ajax is also sunk by German bombing in the same area with the loss of 4 crewmen.
• U-37 sinks the British steamer Upwey Grange (9130t) 184 miles west of Achill Head, County Mayo, with the loss of 36. 50 survivors are rescued by the British trawler Naniwa.

Diplomatic Relations

A special 'statute', approved in London by Churchill and Gen de Gaulle, lays down the conditions of employment of the Free French volunteers.

German Raiders

The German armed merchant cruiser Widder sinks the Dutch steamer Oostplein (5095t) in the Central Atlantic 200 miles south of the Azores. The crew are made prisoners of war.

India, Home Front

In an admitted move to increase India's 'contribution to the war', Lord Linlithgow, Viceroy of India, offers nationalist leader immediate, but limited, constitutional reform. A full examination of the independence issue will be made after the war.

Secret War

The Head of British Secret Intelligence, Wing Commander F. W. Winterbotham, learns of Göring's orders for the air offensive against England. Dowding is alerted.