Battle of Britain
Day 34
Weather - Conditions fine throughout the country with misty patches.
Large scale attacks by the Luftwaffe start early at about 0730hrs when Spitfires of No: 610 Squadron are scrambled from Biggin Hill and intercept Me-109's over New Romney. An hour later several sections of Me-110's approach the Kent and Sussex coastline whereby they break up and attack the radar stations at Dover, Rye, Dunkirk and Pevensey with some success as all, apart from Dunkirk, are out of action for nearly six hours. The attacks on the radar stations are carried out by elements from EP210.
Several airfields are attacked during the morning. Lympne is heavily bombed, followed by Ju-88's bombing Hawkinge with severe damage inflicted. Just after 1100hrs raids on shipping in the Thames Estuary has just been executed when Spitfires of No: 65 Squadron arrived. At the same time Hurricanes of No: 151 and 501 Squadrons are engaging Ju-87's and Me-109's off Ramsgate.
As midday approaches a large raid of Ju-88's attack and bomb Portsmouth with great effect and are met on their retreat by Hurricanes of No: 213 Squadron. Meanwhile, part of the same raid of Ju-88's attacked Ventnor, on the Isle of Wight, and are met by Spitfires of No: 152 and 609 Squadrons. As Me-109's move in on the Spitfires, Hurricanes of No: 615 Squadron intercept them and a large dogfight breaks out.
At around 1230hrs Manston airfield is bombed by a large force of Do-17's from KG2, just as Spitfires of No: 65 Squadron are preparing to take off. Large-scale damage is inflicted on several aircraft and buildings.
Not until later in the afternoon, just after 1700hrs, does further raids materialize when Do-17's and Me-109's attack various locations along the Kent and Sussex coastline. Spitfires of No: 64 Squadron are scrambled along with Hurricanes of No: 32, 56 and 145 Squadrons and several dogfights take place along the coast from Dover to the Isle of Wight.
During the night several raids are plotted, with no reports of bombing apart from suspected mine laying. 5 Hampdens attack the heavily defended Dortmund-Ems Canal with delayed-action bombs. A vital hit is achieved by Flt Lt Roderick Learoyd, V.C., which stops the passage of invasion craft for 10 days.
R.A.F. Losses: 32 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 11 pilots killed or missing and 8 wounded.
Luftwaffe Losses: 50 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 60 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 16 wounded.
NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.
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]Battle of the Atlantic
- The British minesweeping trawlers Pyrope (295t) and Tamarisk (545t) are sunk by German bombing off North East Spit Buoy in the Thames Estuary. 6 are lost on the Pyrope and 7 on the Tamarisk.
- The Italian submarine Malaspina sinks the British tanker British Fame (8406t) dispersed from convoy OB-193. 3 of the crew are lost.
| ]East Africa
A British mission is sent into Abyssinia from the Sudan to organize resistance, especially in the Gojjam district, and to prepare for the return of the emperor to the country. The mission is led by a Col Daniel Sandford and one of the officers later employed on this task will be Major Orde Wingate.
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Western Front
The first German shells hit British soil at Dover. Four houese are destroyed.
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