Battle of Britain
Day 83
Weather - Generally fair over most of the country with light cloud.
Combat - The day starts early for Hurricanes of No: 151 Squadron, scrambled from Digby, intercepting and shooting down a reconnaissance Ju-88 at 0715hrs.
Later at around 0900hrs the first large raid of the day is approaching Kent and heading for London. It consists of mainly Ju-88's and Me-109's which are met in force by Hurricanes of No: 229, 253, 303 (Polish) and 501 Squadrons and Spitfires of No: 41, 66, 72 and 92 Squadrons. Just as this raid is subsiding, another 75 aircraft cross the coast near Dover just before 1030hrs and head for Kenley and Biggin Hill areas. The attack is broken up by R.A.F. Fighters of 11 Group before the targets are reached and the raiders make for home.
Result of Forced Landing of German Fighter |
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At about 1100hrs a large raid is plotted approaching the Portland area by nearly 100 aircraft, Me-110's and Me-109's. Hurricanes of No: 56, 238 and 504 Squadrons and Spitfires of No: 152 Squadron are scrambled to intercept before the raid turns back out across the Channel.
Shortly after 1300hrs a large raid of over 150 aircraft crosses over Kent in two waves and makes for London. Although some Ju-88's, Do-17's and Me-109's make it through to central London areas, most of the raid is forced back by the Hurricanes of No: 229, 253, 303, 501 and 605 Squadrons and Spitfires of No: 41, 92, 222 and 603 Squadrons.
Another raid of over 200 aircraft crosses the coast between Dover and Dungeness at 1600hrs and makes for Biggin Hill where various sections split in all directions over Kent. The He-111's and Ju-88's are escorted by Me-109's and become heavily engaged by Spitfires of No: 41, 92, 602 and 603 Squadrons and Hurricanes of No: 229, 253, 303 (Polish), 501 and 607 Squadrons.
While the raid over Kent and Sussex is in progress a raid by He-111's, Me-110's and Me-109's attacks the areas around Portland at about 1630hrs. Fighter Command responds with interceptions made by Hurricanes of No: 56, 213, 238 and 504 Squadrons and Spitfires of No: 152 Squadron.
By 1900hrs all raids have subsided, leaving several R.A.F. squadrons licking their wounds. The Hurricanes of No: 229 Squadron, based at Northolt, have suffered heavily with the loss of 8 aircraft, 1 dead pilot and 3 wounded. Hurricanes of No: 56 Squadron, based at Boscombe Down, also suffer the loss of 7 aircraft and several wounded pilots. The Spitfires of No: 152 Squadron, from Warmwell, lose 5 aircraft and 1 pilot during the fight against Me-110's over Portland at 1700hrs.
During the night London is again bombed along with Liverpool, the Midlands, East Anglia and Nottingham. Mines are dropped in the Thames Estuary, Firth of Forth and off Harwich.
R.A.F. Losses: 37 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 5 pilots were killed and 9 wounded.
Luftwaffe Losses: 60 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 72 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 12 wounded.
NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.
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]Battle of the Atlantic
U-37 sinks the British steamer Samala (5390t) west of Ireland with the loss of all of her crew of 68. U-37 also sinks the British steamer Heminge (2499t) west of Ireland with the loss of 1 crewman. 25 survivors are picked up by the British steamer Clan Cumming.
Ships Joining Convoy |
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| ]The Blitz
A major daylight raid by 175 bombers hits London. During September 9980 tons of bombs are dropped on England and Wales.
[ | ]Secret War
In Operation HUMMER ('LOBSTER'), 3 German agents are put ashore from a seaplane on the coast of Banff, Scotland. All are captured; 2 are executed. The third, double-agent Vera von Schalburg, disappears.
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