Atlantic

During the night German minelayers are active in the Straits of Dover as part of Operation Walter.

Battle of Britain

Day 58

Weather - Starting fine and warm with cloud developing later in the afternoon.

Combat - At about 0930hrs, radar reports indicate a raid of bombers and escorts approaching the coast, which subsequently heads for Biggin Hill. Hurricanes of No: 79 Squadron scrambles from Biggin Hill and intercepts the raiders before they can drop their bombs. As this engagement was underway, another raid crosses Kent just after 1000hrs and splits towards Hornchurch airfield and Harwich docks. By 1030hrs many air-battles are raging over southeastern skies and involve the Hurricanes of No: 79, 11 and 501 Squadrons and Spitfires of No: 19, 41 and 603 Squadrons.

The remainder of the morning sees many small raids dispersing across southern areas of England or turning back when approached by Fighter Command squadrons.

Shortly after 1300hrs Spitfires of No: 72 Squadron, scramble from Biggin Hill, intercept a raid of Me-109's over Kent as another large raid of He-111's and Ju-88's is building up over Calais. At about 1500hrs the raiders approach Hornchurch and the Thames Estuary to successfully bomb the oil storage facilities at Thameshaven. The raid is broken-up and the subsequent engagements with the enemy involve Hurricanes of No: 17, 46, 73, 249, 303 (Polish) and 501 Squadrons along with Spitfires of No: 41, 222 and 234 Squadrons.

As the last raid was being dispersed another, consisting of escorted He-111's and Ju-88's, is reported approaching Dungeness at around 1600hrs. Interceptions are made by Spitfires of No: 66 Squadron, scrambling from Kenley to engage the Me-109's while the bombers are met by Hurricanes of No: 43 Squadron scrambling from Tangmere and No: 73 Squadron, scrambling from Debden.

Oberleutnant von Werra is captured after making a forced landing his Me-109 in Kent. (He later becomes the only German prisoner to escape from Canada and return to Germany.)

The Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 of Oblt Franz von Werra Shot Down

During the night more bombing raids are reported on Liverpool, Manchester, the Midlands and South Wales with mines being dropped in Lyme Bay, the Thames Estuary and the East coast of Scotland.

R.A.F. Losses: 27 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 8 pilots killed or missing and 6 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 45 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 35 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 12 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Rumania

There is more turmoil in Rumania as the Parliament is dissolved and the constitution is suspended.