Air Operations, Europe
There is a particularly heavy RAF raid on Antwerp inflicting great destruction on the German invasion matériel, but a Reuters News Agency report in London expresses the feeling of many when it notes that a German invasion is expected, and that the German Navy will play a large part.
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]Battle of Britain
Day 67
Weather -Unsettled conditions with rain and thunderstorms. Cloudy in the Channel.
Combat - Although the weather has not improved, the Luftwaffe launches several large raids during the afternoon.
The first, consisting of Ju-88's, approach at about 1500hrs and attack radar stations along the south coast before He-111's and Do-17's bomb Eastbourne and Brighton. Spitfires of No: 72 Squadron, scramble from Croydon and Gladiators of No: 247 Squadron, scramble from Roborough manage to intercept the raiders off the Sussex coast.
By 1600hrs another, much larger, raid is crossing the Kent coast and Thames Estuary. He-111's and Do-17's are escorted by Me-109's and Me-110's and head for London. Large dogfights break out over Kent as Hurricanes of No: 73, 229, 253, 257 & 605 Squadrons along with Spitfires of No: 19, 66, 222 & 603 Squadrons engaged the enemy. The Hurricanes of No: 73 Squadron, based at Castle Camps, suffer heavily to the Me-109's losing 7 aircraft and 3 pilots (1 killed and 2 wounded).
As the last raid has dispersed, Me-109's of JG26 sweep low across Kent and are intercepted by Hurricanes of No: 46 Squadron, scrambled from Stapleford and Spitfires of No: 41 and 92 Squadrons, from Hornchurch and Biggin Hill, over the Maidstone area.
Hurricane Fighters Taking Off |
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During the night only a few raids penetrate inland. London and Thames Estuary areas are bombed along with the Midlands.
Hitler decides that Göring needs four or five consecutive days of fine weather to hammer home his advantage. Accordingly he defers his decision on the invasion once more, until September 17, which in turn means that the invasion cannot take place until September 27. This is a final date because October 8 might be the only day when conditions will be suitable for the landing; this is dangerously near winter for the exploitation stage of the invasion. There can almost certainly be no further postponement.
R.A.F. Losses: 20 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 5 pilots killed or missing and 8 wounded.
Luftwaffe Losses: 20 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 5 pilots killed or missing and 8 wounded.
NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.
[ | ]Germany, Planning
The date for Operation Sealion to begin is again postponed, this time to September 17. This means the landing itself will not happen before September 27 because of the ten days the Kriegsmarine says it needs to prepare and coordinate their action. September 27 is also the last date on which there will be favorable tides for a landing.
[ | ]Mediterranean
The Italian submarine Emo sinks the British steamer Saint Agnes (5199t) from convoy SLS-46. The entire crew is rescued.
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