Battle of Britain

Day 47

Weather - Early morning fine but turning cloudy for the remainder of day.

Combat - Although the weather is favourable in Southern England, the Luftwaffe waits until late afternoon before launching any raids. At 1600hrs a large formation of over 300 aircraft approach Weymouth Bay and the Dorset coast. The Ju-88's, Me-110's and Me-109's make attacks on Portland, Weymouth and the airfield at Warmwell. The attack on Portland and Weymouth is intercepted by Hurricanes of No: 87 Squadron and Spitfires of No: 609 Squadron whilst Hurricanes of No: 17 Squadron engage the Ju-88's as they approach Warmwell. As dogfights spread across Dorset, Hurricanes of No: 213 Squadron, scrambling from Exeter and Spitfires of No: 152 and 602 Squadrons, from Warmwell and Westhampnett, join the battle.

Later, at around 1830hrs, another large raid of over 100 aircraft approach Dover. The Do-17's and Me-109's are met by Hurricanes of No: 32 Squadron and Spitfires of No: 610 Squadron, both scrambling from Biggin Hill. As dogfights breake out, Spitfires of No: 54 Squadron, scrambling from Hornchurch and Spitfires of No: 616 Squadron, scrambling from Kenley, engage the raiders over southern Kent and the Channel.

During the night R.A.F. Bomber Command launches a raid against Berlin in retaliation to the previous nights' bombing of London. Over Britain, a few raids are plotted around the country with very few reported attacks. Mines are dropped off the Isle of Wight and Scottish coasts.

R.A.F. Losses: 20 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 10 pilots killed or missing and 4 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 33 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 25 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 10 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-37 sinks the British steamer Blairmore (4141t) from convoy SC-1 south southwest of Iceland with the loss of 5 of her crew. 36 survivors are picked up by the Swedish merchant Eknaren. U-37 also sinks the British steamer Yewcrest (3774t), a straggler from convoy OB-201, southwest of Iceland with the loss of 1 crewman. 38 survivors are picked by the British destroyer Highlander.
• U-48 sinks 2 ships from convoy HX-65A, the British tanker Athelcrest (6825t) and the British steamer Empire Merlin (5763t) about 90 miles northeast of Flannan Isles. 30 of the crew are lost from the Athelcrest, 6 survivors are picked up by the British corvette Godetia. 35 are lost from the Empire Merlin with the 1 survivor being also picked up by the Godetia.
• U-124 also sinks 2 ships from convoy HX-65A, the British steamers Harpalyce (5169t) and Fircrest (5394t) 23 miles north of Butt of Lewis, Hebrides. 42 are lost and 5 survive from the Harpalyce. The survivors are picked up by the British armed trawler Fort Dee. All 40 of the crew of the Fircrest are lost.
• U-57 sinks the British tanker Pecten (7468t), a straggler from convoy HX-65, 75 miles north of Tory Island with the loss of 48 of her crew. 8 survivors are picked up by the British steamer Torr Head.
• The British steamer Goathland (3821t) is sunk by German bombing 390 miles west of Land's End. The entire crew is rescued.

China

Token British garrisons are withdrawn from Shanghai and Tientsin. Tientsin has been blockaded by the Japanese since 1939.