Battle of Britain

Day 98

Weather - Conditions generally fair over most of the country. Cloudy spells over the Channel.

Combat - Shortly after 0800hrs the first of two waves of bomb-carrying Me-109's sweep across Kent towards the Biggin Hill, Kenley and south London areas. As this raid is turning back the second crosses over the coast at Dungeness and makes for east London. Several Fighter Command squadrons are scrambled to intercept with successful engagements involving the Spitfires of No: 41 and 92 Squadrons and Hurricanes of No: 229, 253, 302 (Polish), 501 and 605 Squadrons.

At 1130hrs another wave of raids crosses the Kent coast and heads for the areas of Hornchurch, Gravesend and the Thames Estuary. The Me-109's are met by Hurricanes of No: 46, 253, 257 and 501 Squadrons and Spitfires of No: 66 and 92 Squadrons.

Whilst battles raged over Kent, a raid is made by He-111's, Me-110's and Me109's attack the area of Southampton and the Isle of Wight. Hurricanes of No: 145 and 213 Squadrons, both scrambled from Tangmere, intercept the raiders over Christchurch and Swanage areas.

Further down the coast off Falmouth, Spitfires of No: 234 Squadron, scrambled from St. Eval and Hurricanes of No: 601 Squadron from Exeter, intercept a small raid of Ju-88's as they approach.

Just before 1600hrs, two raids of He-111's and Me-109's cross over Kent and make for areas of east London. Bombs are also dropped, by this raid, on the main rail lines in Ashford. Spitfires of No: 92 and 222 Squadrons manage to intercept some of the raiders before they turn back for home.

The night raids start early, at about 1830hrs, with bombs dropping on London, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Glasgow and Aberdeen. Mines are dropped in the Thames Estuary, the Bristol Channel and off East Anglia.

R.A.F. Losses: 25 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 6 pilots killed and 5 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 27 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 13 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 8 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-93 sinks the British steamer Hurunui (9331t) from Convoy OB-227 120 miles west of Butt of Lewis with the loss of 2 crewmen. 73 survivors are picked up by the British steamer St Margaret.
• U-103 sinks the British steamer Thistlegarth (4747t) from Convoy OB-227 45 miles west-northwest of Rockall with the loss of 30 of her crew. 9 survivors are picked up by the by the British corvette Heartsease.
• U-138 sinks the British steamer Bonheur (5327t) from Convoy OB-228 38 miles nortwest of Butt of Lewis. The entire crew of 39 are rescued by the British anti-submarine trawler Sphene.
• The Italian submarine Cappellini sinks the Belgian steamer Kabalo (5186t) from Convoy OB-223 west of Morocco with the loss of 1 crewman. Survivors are picked up by the American steamer Pan American.

The Blitz

In the heaviest raid since September 380 aircraft target London that lasts from 8:00p.m. until 4:45a.m. The railways are hit hard. 5 main stations are cut off. The underground is blocked at 5 points. 415 tons of high-explosive bombs are dropped along with about 11 tons of incendiaries. About 900 fires are started. 213 people are killed and 915 are injured. Birmingham is hit by 22 aircraft for KG100. There are 200 casualties in houses and factories.

Burning Buildings after a Raid, near St.Paul’s Cathedral in the City of London

Italy, Planning

A meeting is called by Mussolini at the Palazzo Venezia to discuss plans to invade Greece. The first plan is of a two-week campaign to begin on October 26, which will later be pushed back 2 days. The job of finding a casus belli is given to Foreign Minister Ciano. He says that it should not be a problem since he can rely on the support of several Greek personalities who will be easy to corrupt. The Italians are expecting a short, sharp battle and believe it may repair their reputation in German eyes.

Mediterranean

• The British submarine Triad and the Italian submarine Enrico Toti, unable to submerge due to previous damage, fight a gun battle off Calabria. The Triad is sunk with all hands.
• The Italians submarine Foca is lost in a mine-laying operation off Haifa, Palestine.