Swirls of contrails had become a common sight in the sky over London and the south-east in the summer of 1940. For most people, it was their only glimpse of the battle. On this particular day, the Germans sent a small force of Junkers Ju-88 bombers, heavily escorted by fighters, to attack Chatham, Gravesend and Rochester. The RAF shot down 11 bombers and 6 fighters for the loss of 11 aircraft and 2 pilots killed.
