Battle of Britain
Day 81
Weather - Generally fine in most areas, but cloudy in the Channel and the Thames Estuary.
Combat - The orders to scramble are given just before 1000hrs as a large raid of Ju-88's, Me-110's and over 200 Me-109's cross the Kent coast and head for Biggin Hill and London. Hurricanes of No: 73, 229, 249, 253, 303 (Polish), 310 (Czech), 501, 605 and 607 Squadrons and Spitfires of No: 41, 66, 72, 92, 222, 602, 603 and 616 Squadrons are mostly engaged by the huge number of Me-109's but still force most of the bombers to turn back.
At about 1330hrs a raid of over 150 aircraft, Ju-88's and Me-109's, crosses the coast near Dungeness and makes for Maidstone and Thames Estuary areas. Again the Hurricanes of No: 249, 253, 501, 605 and 607 Squadrons and Spitfires of No: 41, 66, 72, 92 and 603 Squadrons scramble to meet the raiders. Simultaneously the Hurricanes (242, 302 and 310 Squadrons) and Spitfires (19 and 616 Squadrons) of the Duxford Wing patrol the airfields at North Weald and Hornchurch.
While the attack in Kent is reaching its peak, another raid crosses the Channel towards Portsmouth at about 1430hrs, with a small formation breaking off to Tangmere. Hurricanes of No: 238 and 607 Squadrons and Spitfires of No: 152 Squadron intercept the raid before further Hurricanes and Spitfires are diverted to the battle from the engagement over Kent. In total nine Fighter Command squadrons are involved. The raid turns back to France with many bombers dropping their bombs into the sea.
The remainder of the afternoon and early evening sees only reconnaissance and single aircraft attacks on coastal defences.
During the night London is bombed along with the airfield at Digby, the Midlands, Liverpool, Derby, Nottingham, Peterborough and the Bristol Channel area. Mines are dropped in the Thames Estuary.
R.A.F. Losses: 22 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 9 pilots killed or missing and 4 wounded.
Luftwaffe Losses: 13 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 25 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 5 wounded.
NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.
Londoners Sleep in Piccadilly Station |
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]Battle of the Atlantic
- U-32 badly damages the British steamer Empire Ocelot (5759t) southwest of Rockall, but she sinks a little later with the loss of 2 of her crew. Survivors are picked up by the British destroyer Havelock.
- The British steamer Dalveen (5193t) from Convoy HX-73A is sunk by German bombing. 32 of her crew are rescued.
| ]The Blitz
In the London attack factories and hospitals are hit. Selfridge's on Oxford St also suffers damage.
[ | ]Britain, Home Front
- The first U.S. destroyer transferred to the Royal Navy arrive in Britain.
The first of the 50 old american destroyers given to Britain arrives in the UK. US Destroyers to the UK
- The 'Mother and Child' evacuation scheme begins in London. 489,000 will leave London by October 17.
| ]Mediterranean
- The British destroyer Stuart and Alexandria based aircraft sink the Italian submarine Gondar. 47 of the crew are picked up by the destroyer and the British anti-submarine trawler Sindonis.
- The Spanish steamer Monte Moncayo (4291t) sinks on a mine 8 miles off Cagliari with the loss of 4 crewmen.
| ]United States, Policy
Under Secretary of State Sumner Welles outlines the U.S. policy in Asia toward Japan. He says it is Tokyo's intention to create a new order in Asia that would result in Japan's reliance 'upon the instrumentality of armed force, and it has made it very clear that it intends that it alone shall decide to what extent the historic interests of the United States and the treaty rights of American citizens in the Far East are to be observed." Welles also calls for 'complete respect' for U.S. rights, 'equality of opportunity for the trade of all nations,' and 'respect' for all treaties and international agreements to which the U.S. has agreed. 'Modifications' through 'peaceful negotiations' should be considered.
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