Battle of the Atlantic

British problems in coastal waters increase when German E-boats now begin major operations off the east coast. (There have been a few E-boat sorties earlier in the summer.) The majority of sinkings by U-boats are still occurring off the Irish coast with 70 percent being achieved by surface attack by night. The U-boats sink 59 ships out of a total loss of 100 of 448,600 tons.(Allied Ships Lost to U-boats)

Battle of Britain

Day 54

Weather - Fair with cloudy patches over the country during the morning and clearing during the afternoon.

Combat - The Sunday appears to carry on from the previous day with a raid plotted over Dover, at 1100hrs, of He-111's, Do-17's, Me-109's and Me-110's, which successfully find and bomb their targets at Biggin Hill, Detling and Eastchurch airfields along with the docks at Tilbury. Hurricanes of No. 85 Squadron and Spitfires of No. 72 Squadron, both scramble from Croydon, manage to intercept the raid but could not penetrate the fighter escorts.

Just after 1300hrs another raid of nearly 200 aircraft crosses Kent and heads for the airfields of Kenley and Biggin Hill. Again the Hurricanes of No. 85 Squadron and Spitfires of No. 72 Squadron engage the enemy along with Hurricanes of No. 1 (Canadian), 79, 253 and 501 Squadrons and Spitfires of No. 222 and; 616 Squadrons. As this raid disperses at about 1500hrs, another wave of bombers and fighters sweeps over Kent and Sussex involving combat for the already exhausted pilots of No. 11 Group.

At 1730hrs large formations of Me-109's sweep in over Kent as Do-17's follow behind to make another successful attack on Biggin Hill airfield inflicting more severe damage to runways and buildings. Only the Spitfires of No. 603 Squadron, scrambling from Hornchurch, make contact with the raiders but suffer at the hands of the Me-109's. Biggin Hill has now lost communications and the ability to direct sector operations.

During the night, small bombing raids are made on Liverpool, Sheffield, the Midlands, Detling airfield and Rye. Mines are dropped in the Thames Estuary, along the South coast, Bristol Channel and the Norfolk coast.

Fires Rage in London

R.A.F. Losses: 21 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 5 pilots killed and 8 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 26 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 19 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 3 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Air Operations, Europe

84 R.A.F. bombers attack the U-boat pens at Lorient, France.

Battle of Britain

Day 55

Weather - Early-morning mist and fog patches clearing into fine and warm conditions over the country.

Combat - Just after 0700hrs raids of Do-17's, Me-110's and Me-109's are being plotted approaching the Kent coastline. The airfields at North Weald, Rochford, Eastchurch, Biggin Hill and Gravesend are bombed as Hurricanes of No. 249 and 253 Squadrons and Spitfires of No. 72, 65 and 603 Squadrons manage to intercept the raiders as they split up over Kent and Sussex.

At about 1200hrs another large raid approaches Dover and is intercepted by Spitfires of No. 72, 222 and 603 Squadrons and Hurricanes of 43, 111 and 253 Squadrons. Bitter dogfights break out with No. 43 and 72 Squadrons suffering high losses at the hands of the fighter escorts.

Later at about 1600hrs small raids of Me-110's cross Kent and are intercepted by Spitfires of No. 603 and 616 Squadrons and Hurricanes of No. 249 Squadron. As they return to France just before 1700hrs, more large raids approach the coastline near Dungeness and Dover. The Do-17's and over 150 Me-109's cross over Kent and are met head-on by the Hurricanes of No. 303 (Polish) Squadron forcing the raid to break up. By now a massive dogfight has developed over southern Kent involving Hurricanes of No. 46, 249, 303 and 501 Squadrons and Spitfires of No. 72 and 616 Squadrons.

During the night, bombs are dropped on Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, the Midlands and South Wales.

R.A.F. Losses: 30 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 4 pilots killed or missing and 8 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 48 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 38 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 10 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British submarine Sturgeon sinks the German steamer Pionier (3285t) northeast of Skagen. About 1,000 German troops are lost in the sinking.
• U-46 sinks the British steamers Thornlea (4261t) and Bibury (4615t) dispersed from convoy OB-205 about 200 miles west of Bloody Foreland. The entire crew of 39 are lost from the Bibury. 3 are lost from the Thornlea while 33 survivors are picked up by the Canadian destroyer Skeena and the Norwegian steamer Hild.
• U-47 sinks the Belgian steamer Ville de Mons (7463t) northeast of Rockall. The entire crew of 54 is rescued.

German Raiders

The German armed merchant cruiser Widder sinks the British tanker Cymbeline (6317t) in the Central Atlantic with the loss of 7 of her crew. 26 survivors are made prisoners of war.

Mediterranean

Admiral Cunningham's fleet is reinforced by the battleship Valiant and the carrier Illustrious from Gibraltar. He now has three battleships and two carriers. The composition of the Gibraltar based Force H varies greatly from time to time because of the uncertainty regarding the behavior of the French Fleet. The Italians now have five battleships in commission, including two modern ships.

Air Operations, Europe

There is an R.A.F. night raid in Berlin, the first of 9 such in September.

Axis Diplomacy

Under strong Axis pressure and in accord with the decision made by Ribbentrop and Ciano in Vienna on 30 August, the 'Vienna Award' is put into effect. By terms of this agreement, Rumania is forced to cede to Hungary a large part of northern Transylvania which is populated mostly by the Hungarian Székely people. In addition to this area, and in spite of protests from the Rumanian government, a huge strip of territory populated by three million Rumanians is also surrendered to the Hungarians. Included in this area are the cities of Cluj and Oradea-Mare.

Hungarian Foreign Minister István Csáky

Battle of Britain

Day 56

Weather - Generally fine and warm over most areas. Some cloud and drizzle expected in the North with haze in the Channel.

Combat - The main raid of the day is just after 0930hrs by Do-17's and Me-110's, which successfully bombs the airfield at North Weald, causing considerable damage, along with attacks on the airfields at Debden and Hornchurch. Although R.A.F. fighters can not prevent the bombers reaching their target, they form up over Essex and Kent to meet the raiders on their return journey. Large dogfights spread across the area for nearly an hour, involving Hurricanes of No. 1, 17, 46, 249, 257, 303 (Polish) and 310 (Czech) Squadrons and Spitfires of No. 19 and 603 Squadrons.

At about 1130hrs a small raid is plotted approaching Deal that turns back, not before bombs have been dropped on Manston airfield. Other small raids are reported around the coast off the Isle of Wight, South West and off Liverpool, which are mainly reconnaissance.

During the afternoon, at about 1430hrs, another raid is plotted approaching Dover that is engaged by Hurricanes of No. 249 and 303 (Polish) Squadrons before turning back to France.

During the night, heavy bombing continues on Liverpool with further attacks on areas of South Wales and Kent. Mines are dropped along the south coast, off Aberdeen and the Thames Estuary.

Tail of a Messerschmitt Me-110

R.A.F. Losses: 26 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 5 pilots killed or missing and 6 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 31 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 33 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 6 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Condensation Trails from Fighters

Battle of Britain

Day 57

Weather - Generally fine and warm with haze in the Channel. Occasional rain and strong winds in the North.

Combat - Once again, British airfields are the main targets for the Luftwaffe. Just after 0930hrs a raid of Do-17's and Me-109 escorts attack and successfully bomb the airfields of Eastchurch and Lympne before interceptions are made, over Kent, by Hurricanes of No. 111 Squadron, scrambling from Croydon and No. 253 Squadron, scrambling from Kenley.

At about 1300hrs a sweep is made over Kent and Sussex by Me-110's in prelude to a larger attack by He-111's, Do-17's and over 200 Me-109's. The Me-110's are heavily engaged by Hurricanes of No. 253 Squadron before Spitfires of No. 72 and 234 Squadrons join the battle. Meanwhile the main raid is attacking and bombing Rochester, Canterbury and the factory at Brooklands as Hurricanes of No. 43, 46, 79 and 601 Squadrons along with Spitfires of No. 66, 222, 234, 602 and 603 Squadrons are engaging into large dogfights over Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

Later in the afternoon, several small raids are made towards the southern coastline from Kent to Cornwall, but fail to materialize into any threats as various R.A.F. squadrons are scrambled to intercept.

During the night large raids are made on Liverpool, Manchester, South Wales and the Midlands.

R.A.F. Losses: 23 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 10 pilots killed or missing and 7 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 35 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 27 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 5 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-46 sinks the British steamer Luimneach (1074t) west-southwest of the Scilly Isles. 3 of the crew are picked up by the submarine and made prisoners of are. The other 15 crew members are picked up by a French fishing boat.
• U-47 sinks the British steamer Titan (9035t) from convoy OA-207 80 miles southwest of Rockall with the loss of 6 crewmen. 89 survivors are picked up by the Canadian destroyer St Laurent and landed at Rosyth on 9 September.
• German motor torpedo boats attack convoy FS-271 northeast of Great Yarmouth. S-21 sinks the British steamers Corbrook (1729t) and New Lambton (2709t). Both crews are rescued. S-18 sinks the British steamer Joseph Swan (1571t) and the Dutch steamer Nieuwland (1075t). There is only 1 survivor from the Joseph Swan and the Nieuwland loses 8 of her crew. S-22 sinks the British steamer Fulham IV (1562t), but the entire crew is rescued.

Atlantic

During the night German minelayers are active in the Straits of Dover as part of Operation WALTER.

Battle of Britain

Day 58

Weather - Starting fine and warm with cloud developing later in the afternoon.

Combat - At about 0930hrs, radar reports indicate a raid of bombers and escorts approaching the coast, which subsequently heads for Biggin Hill. Hurricanes of No. 79 Squadron scrambles from Biggin Hill and intercepts the raiders before they can drop their bombs. As this engagement was underway, another raid crosses Kent just after 1000hrs and splits towards Hornchurch airfield and Harwich docks. By 1030hrs many air-battles are raging over southeastern skies and involve the Hurricanes of No. 79, 11 and 501 Squadrons and Spitfires of No. 19, 41 and 603 Squadrons.

The remainder of the morning sees many small raids dispersing across southern areas of England or turning back when approached by Fighter Command squadrons.

Shortly after 1300hrs Spitfires of No. 72 Squadron, scramble from Biggin Hill, intercept a raid of Me-109's over Kent as another large raid of He-111's and Ju-88's is building up over Calais. At about 1500hrs the raiders approach Hornchurch and the Thames Estuary to successfully bomb the oil storage facilities at Thameshaven. The raid is broken-up and the subsequent engagements with the enemy involve Hurricanes of No. 17, 46, 73, 249, 303 (Polish) and 501 Squadrons along with Spitfires of No. 41, 222 and 234 Squadrons.

As the last raid was being dispersed another, consisting of escorted He-111's and Ju-88's, is reported approaching Dungeness at around 1600hrs. Interceptions are made by Spitfires of No. 66 Squadron, scrambling from Kenley to engage the Me-109's while the bombers are met by Hurricanes of No. 43 Squadron scrambling from Tangmere and No. 73 Squadron, scrambling from Debden.

Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 of Oblt Franz von Werra

Battle of Britain

Day 59

Weather - Generally fine with some haze in the Channel and Thames Estuary.

Combat - Early morning reconnaissance suggests planned bombing raids as previously experienced. This is to be proved as at about 0830hrs a large raid of Ju-88's, He-111's, Do-17's and Me-109's approach Kent and head for Biggin Hill, Thames Estuary area and North Weald while another raid attacks the Hawker factory at Brooklands. Scrambling into action were Hurricanes of No. 1, 73, 111, 249, 253, 303 (Polish), 501 and 601 Squadrons and Spitfires of No. 41 and 609 Squadrons. The Polish pilots of No. 303 Squadron, who had so far shown great courage and inflict heavy losses on the enemy, suffer the loss of 7 Hurricanes as a Gruppe of Me-109's attack from above while they are attacking the bomber formation.

Between 1300hrs and 1400hrs several more raids, totalling over 200 aircraft, cross the coast into Kent and Sussex. The raiders are intercepted by Spitfires of No. 72, 234, 602 and 603 Squadrons along with Hurricanes of No. 303 Squadron and prevented from reaching their targets.

The last main daylight raid, of about 100 aircraft, materialize at about 1730hrs heading towards Maidstone and the Thames Estuary areas, with the airfield at Hornchurch a target. The raid splits up and heads south as Spitfires of No. 222 Squadron, scramblingfrom Hornchurch engaged Me-109's and Hurricanes of No. 111 Squadron, scrambling from Croydon, chases down the bombers.

During the night bombing raids are greatly reduced with reported plots over South Wales, the Thames Estuary and the Midlands.

R.A.F. Losses: 29 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 6 pilots killed or missing and 11 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 53 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 54 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 9 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Battle of the Atlantic

• Being guided by U-65, U-47 attacks Convoy SC-2 during the night and sinks 3 ships, the British freighter Neptunian (5,155t) with the loss of 1 of her crew, the British freighter José de Larrinaga (5,303t) and the Norwegian freighter Gro (4,211t) with the loss of 11 of her crew.
• The British steamer St Glen (4647t) from convoy SL-44A is sunk by German bombing 15 miles east of Aberdeen with the loss of 3 of her crew. Survivors are picked up by the British sloop Sandwich.

Britain, Home Front

• R.A.F. Fighter Command HQ at Bentley Priory, Stanmore is visited by the King and Queen.

  Air Chief Dowding with King and Queen

• Churchill puts Britain on Yellow Alert (invasion within three days) following increasingly heavy Luftwaffe raids.

Battle of the Atlantic

• Outwitting escorts equipped with 'Asdic' by attacking on the surface, U-47 sinks a fourth ship, the freighter Possidon (3,840t), from Convoy SC-2 during the night.
• German motor torpedo boat S-33 sinks the Dutch steamer Stad Alkmaar (5750t) from convoy FS-273 east of Lowestoft, but the entire crew is rescued.

Battle of Britain

Day 60

Weather - Conditions fair in most areas with some haze on the coast.

Combat - The Saturday starts relatively quiet with only a single Dornier (Do-215) reconnaissance aircraft being shot down at about 0900hrs, by Spitfires of No. 266 Squadron scrambling from Coltishall, off East Anglia. Later in the morning at 1100hrs a raid is plotted approaching Dover, which subsequently splits and bombs Hawkinge airfield and Dover without being intercepted.

It is not until mid-afternoon that another raid appears on the radar and by 1600hrs it is realized that the biggest raid yet of the conflict is heading towards the Kent coast. The Luftwaffe has amassed a raid of nearly 350 bombers and 620 fighters with one main target in mind, London.

Over the next few hours a huge aerial battle develops over most of the southeast of England as wave after wave of bombers drop their payload on the Docklands and East London. R.A.F. Fighter Command responds and scrambles eleven squadrons and keep the remaining fighters at readiness. Within the next 30 minutes the Hurricanes of No. 43, 73, 79, 111, 242, 249, 257, 303 (Polish), 310 (Czech) and 504 Squadrons and the Spitfires of No. 19, 41, 66, 72, 234, 602, 603, 609 and 610 Squadrons have all been scrambled into action.

Hurricanes of No. 249 Squadron, scrambled from North Weald, suffer badly at the hands of Me-109's over Maidstone and lose 6 aircraft. Spitfires of No. 602 Squadron from Westhampnett, Hurricanes of No. 257 Squadron from Martlesham Heath and Hurricanes of No. 303 Squadron from Northolt also suffer high losses during the intense dogfights.

It proves to be the largest bombing raid ever made against a British city and claims the lives of over 350 people with a further 1400 seriously injured as rows of houses, buildings and warehouses collapses into the inferno.

During the night a second wave of over 300 He-111's heads up the Thames Estuary and bombs the, already ablaze, dockland areas of East London.

The Blitz Begins

Air Raid on London

Following Hitler's directive to switch attacks from airfields to cities, the Germans alter the tactics of their air offensive and send a major daytime raid against London. This gives the R.A.F. a welcome respite from the airfield attacks which have been so damaging during the last few days. The German attack on London follows from a suggestion of Hitler which coincides with Göring's own theories. The German tactic is that the R.A.F. will be forced to commit its carefully hoarded reserves and that they can then be destroyed. Kesselring's 2nd Air Fleet is to attack London by day with its 500 bombers (including some brought from Norway and Denmark) and 600 fighters. Sperrle is to attack by night with about 300 bombers, as all his fighters have been switched to Kesselring. In addition there are about 100 Me-110s and over 200 Stukas. The British have about 350 aircraft in their front-line squadrons with more in reserve. Park is modifying his tactics slightly to cope with the bigger German formations and now intends pairing his squadrons where possible.

Dornier Do-217s Over London's Docks

Atlantic

In Operation HANNELORE, German torpedo boats mine the Straits of Dover.

Battle of Britain

Day 61

Weather - Fair during early morning with cloud for most of day and clearing into the evening.

Combat - The first indications of a raid are at about 1130hrs when a formation of Do-17's approaches the Kent coast off Dungeness. Interception is made near Maidstone by Hurricanes of No. 46, 253, 504 and 605 Squadrons as they successfully evade the Me-109's and Me-110's and shoot down many of the bombers.

Meanwhile over Dover, Spitfires of No. 41 Squadron, scrambling from Hornchurch, are engaging Me-109's as they cross the coast to cover the retreating He-111's and Do-17's.

As nighttime arrives, a large formation of bombers, He-111's, Ju-88's and Do-17's, approaches the Thames area at altitude, giving away their target of London and once more bombs rains down on the docklands and surrounding areas throughout the night claiming the lives of hundreds of people.

R.A.F. Losses: 6 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 2 pilots killed and 2 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 25 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 30 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 7 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Air Operations, Middle East

There are Italian air raids on Tel-Aviv in Palestine killing 111. Leaflets are dropped on Jaffa promising freedom for Palestinian Arabs.

Damage from Italian bombs in Tel Aviv

Battle of Britain

Day 62

Weather - Scattered showers in most areas with occasional thunderstorms. Channel fair.

Combat - For most of the day only small reconnaissance flights are made by the Luftwaffe, until about 1700hrs when a large raid of He-111's, Ju-88's, Do-17's, Me-109's and Me-110's cross the coast near Dover and head towards south London.

As the Do-17's dropped their bombs on the Kingston and Surbiton areas of Surrey, the He-111's make for the airfield at Farnborough while the Ju-88's are on course for the Biggin Hill and Kenley areas. Hurricanes of No. 253 Squadron, scramblingfrom Kenley and No. 303 (Polish) Squadron, scrambling from Northolt, attack the He-111's and Ju-88's inflicting heavy losses. The Hurricanes of No. 607 Squadron, scrambling from Tangmere, also experience high losses. As they engage Do-17's over Surrey they are attacked by Me-109's from above and lose 6 aircraft and 3 pilots.

Firemen Spray Water on Damaged Buildings

Meanwhile the Duxford Wing, led by Sqn-Ldr Bader, has joined the battles over Kent and; Surrey with Spitfires of No. 19 Squadron and Hurricanes of No. 242 and 310 (Czech) Squadrons where they engage Do-17's and Me-110's.

By now the sky is once again full of contrails as the aerial battles rage for around 90 minutes and have involved nearly 300 German aircraft along with Hurricanes of No. 1, 242, 253, 303, 310, 605 and 607 Squadrons and Spitfires of No. 19, 41, 66, 92, 222, 602 and 611 Squadrons.

During the night, further heavy bombing raids are made on London and also on the Midlands, South Wales and the North East.

R.A.F. Losses: 26 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 6 pilots killed and 11 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 45 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 52 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 5 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Air Operations, East Africa

There are British air raids on Massawa, Asmara and Dessye in East Africa.

Air Operations, North Africa

There are British air raids on targets in Cyrenaica.

Albania

The Italians begin increasing their force in Albania by 40,000 men in preparation for their proposed attack on Greece.

Atlantic

Because of all the damage done to shipping in the Port of London on 7 September, all ocean-going vessels are banned from London until January 1941.

Battle of Britain

Day 63

Weather - Generally cloudy over most areas with some occasional rain.

Combat - For most of the morning there are occasional reconnaissance raids along the South and East Anglian coasts. Single aircraft raids are made on various targets and around midday, the airfield at Tangmere is strafed and Do-17's drop bombs near Great Yarmouth and Norwich without interception by Fighter Command.

Churchill Inspecting Damage

Not until late afternoon does any sizeable raid appear on the radar when, at about 1700hrs, a formation of Ju-88's approach the coastline between Dover and Southampton. Portsmouth docks are bombed along with targets at Littlehampton, Farnborough and the airfield at West Malling. The Spitfires of No. 72 Squadron, scramble from Croydon, intercept the raiders over East Grinstead and shoot down at least 3 of the bombers. Another Spitfire Squadron, No. 602, based at Westhampnett suffers the loss of 3 aircraft trying to land at Tangmere after the raid had dispersed at about 2000hrs. This is due to inexperienced pilots trying to land in fading light at dusk.

Churchill on Damage Inspection Tour

During the night the bombing of London continues with further raids plotted against Liverpool, the Midlands and South Wales.

R.A.F. Losses: 6 aircraft damaged or destroyed with no losses.

Luftwaffe Losses: 20 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 13 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 5 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Battle of the Atlantic

The Norwegian steamer Eli (4332t) is sunk by German bombing 12 miles from Skerryvore Light House with the loss of 1 of her crew.

Atlantic

Although the ships of British Force M are about 300 miles northeast of Dakar, it is learned that a French force of 3 cruisers and 3 destroyers has left Toulon and is headed southwest also towards Dakar. It is believed the French force has the intention of resisting the landing of Gen de Gaulle's Free French volunteers.

Battle of Britain

Day 64

Weather - Mainly fine with some scattered showers. Cloud over the Channel and Thames Estuary.

Combat - Due to bad weather throughout the morning the Luftwaffe withholds its planned raids and only sends reconnaissance aircraft over the Channel.

As the weather clears in the afternoon, large formations of bombers are being assembled over France and make a course for London. At about 1530hrs, the first raid of He-111's, Me-109's and Me-110's is over the Thames Estuary and Fighter Command reacts. The Me-109's are by now running low on fuel after furious battles with Spitfires of No. 41 and 92 Squadrons and Hurricanes of No. 1 (Canadian) Squadron. With the fighter escort turning for home, the He-111's and remaining Me-110's are attacked from all sides by Hurricanes of No. 17, 46, 56, 73, 229, 249, 303 (Polish), 501 and 504 Squadrons and Spitfires of No. 19, 66, 222, 602 and 611 Squadrons.

While massive aerial battles are being fought over London and surrounding counties, a raid is made on Portsmouth and Southampton by Ju-88's, Me-109's and Me-110's. Interceptions are made by Hurricanes of No. 213 Squadron, scrambling from Exeter, on the fighter escorts off the Isle of Wight whilst the Hurricanes of No. 238 Squadron, scrambling from Middle Wallop engage the bombers.

Later at about 1700hrs, a raid of Me109's and Me-110's sweep across Kent and is met by Spitfires of No. 92 and 266 Squadrons after bombs have been dropped on Dover.

During the evening at about 2000hrs, Blenheims of No. 235 Squadron scramble from Thorney Island and mount a bombing raid on the docks at Calais, Dunkirk, Le Harvre and Boulogne. They succeed in inflicting heavy damage on the invasion barges being assembled before the Me-109's of JG26, led by Adolf Galland, attack them.

Throughout the night bombing raids are made on London, Liverpool, the Midlands, the Bristol Channel area and South Wales. Mines are also dropped in the Thames Estuary, along the Sussex coast, off Aberdeen and Northumberland.

R.A.F. Losses: 43 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 17 pilots and aircrew (Blenheims) killed or missing and 11 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 49 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 64 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 14 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Air Operations, Europe

During the night the Hamm marshalling yards are bombed by the R.A.F. for the sixtieth time.

Axis Diplomacy

Finland signs an agreement with Germany permitting its troops transit rights. This privilege is immediately used to transport Wehrmacht units to Norway throught the port of Vaasa.

Battle of Britain

Day 65

Weather - Unsettled with rain in most areas.

Combat - Bad weather conditions greatly reduce air activity for the whole day.

There are small engagements with reconnaissance aircraft. Hurricanes of No. 151 Squadron scrambling from Digby, intercept a Ju-88 off the Humber Estuary whilst another Ju-88 is shot down over the Channel by a Hurricane of No. 605 Squadron, based at Croydon.

Later in the afternoon Ju-88's make another small raid over Hampshire and Wiltshire before being intercepted by Hurricanes of No. 238 Squadron, scrambling from Middle Wallop.

During the night, bombing raids are reduced compared to previous nights. Bombs however, are still dropped on London and the areas of Liverpool, Midlands and South Wales.

R.A.F. Losses: 2 aircraft damaged or destroyed and 2 pilots killed.

Luftwaffe Losses: 13 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 18 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 5 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Battle of the Atlantic

The British tanker Gothic (2444t) sinks on an aerial mine laid by a plane from the German IX Air Division about 6 miles from Spurn Point. 2 crewmen are killed and 10 are missing.

German Raiders

The German armed merchant cruiser Pinguin sinks the British steamer Benavon (5872t) in the Indian Ocean. 24 crewmen are lost and 25 are made prisoners of war.

Occupied Poland

500,000 Jews are to be confined in the walled Warsaw ghetto.

Battle of Britain

Day 66

Weather - Conditions throughout the country unsettled with rain.

Combat - With weather conditions yet again reducing air activity small reconnaissance raids are made during the morning until about 1130hrs when a raid of He-111's crosses the Kent coast and splits towards their targets around Kent and Sussex. One of the bombers is intercepted and shot down by a Hurricane of No. 501 Squadron, scrambled from Kenley and piloted by Sgt. James 'Ginger' Lacey, before he too is shot down. Sgt. Lacey manages to bale out and lands safely on a farm in Kent.

The afternoon sees little increase in raids. Hurricanes of No. 238, 501 and 607 Squadrons, scrambling from Middle Wallop, Kenley and Tangmere, intercept a raid by Ju-88's, about 1530hrs over Wiltshire, before the bombers can turn back to France.

During the night more bombs are dropped on London while some raids penetrate East Anglia and the Duxford area. Further raids are plotted over the Bristol Channel and South Wales.

The Royals Inspecting Bomb Damage

R.A.F. Losses: 3 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 1 pilot and 1 aircrew of a Blenheim were killed.

Luftwaffe Losses: 10 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 13 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 5 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Inspecting Bomb Damage at Buckingham Palace

Battle of the Atlantic

The German auxiliary minesweeper M-1306 (trawler Hermann Krone) (448t) sinks on a mine off Hanstholm.

China

Japan's Misubishi Zero makes its debut. 13 Zeros escort a bomber formation to Chungking. In the ensuing air battle, all the defending fighters are shot down. 4 Zeros are damaged in the action.

Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero of 14th AG

East Africa

Italian troops from Ethiopia penetrate up to 20 miles into Kenya in a tentative advance.

Air Operations, Europe

There is a particularly heavy R.A.F. 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.

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

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 17 September, which in turn means that the invasion cannot take place until 27 September. This is a final date because 8 October 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.

Battle of Britain

Day 68

Weather - Fair with some cloud and becoming fine during the evening.

Combat - This Sunday becomes known as 'Battle of Britain Day' as the events that unfold will dictate the final outcome of the battle itself.

The morning starts quietly with only a few reconnaissance aircraft detected by the radar stations until about 1100hrs, when a build up of enemy aircraft is reported. Fighter Command orders all available squadrons to readiness and scrambles several others to patrol the coastal areas.

The raid, consisting of about 100 Do-17's and followed by a large escort of Me-109's, crosses the Kent coast at 1130hrs and heads towards London. As they near their target they are attacked by two large formations of Hurricanes and Spitfires. The first to attack the bombers is the Duxford wing, led by Sqd-Ldr Douglas Bader. Hurricanes of No. 242, 302 (Polish) and 310 (Czech) Squadrons and Spitfires of No. 19 and 611 Squadrons dive into the bombers, who by now have lost their fighter escorts. As massive air battles are developing a second attack is made by Hurricanes of No. 1 (Canadian), 73, 229, 303, 501, 504 and 605 Squadrons and Spitfires of No. 41 and 609 Squadrons.

A Flight of Dornier Do-17s of KG76

One particular pilot engages several Do-17's over London during the action, which is to be immortalized in the movie 'The Battle of Britain'. He was Sgt. Raymond Holmes flying a Hurricane of No. 504 Squadron from Kenley. Sgt. Holmes has attacked one Do-17 over central London that is suspected of bombing Buckingham Palace. The close combat and the Do-17 exploding seriously damaged the Hurricane forcing Sgt. Holmes to bale out and subsequently lands in a dustbin (in the movie, he lands in a greenhouse). The Do-17, in flames and breaking up, lands into Victoria train station.

As tired pilots of Fighter Command land to refuel, rearm and take a brief rest after the morning's combat, another raid is detected approaching the coast just before 1400hrs. Over 150 He-111's, Ju-88's and Do-17's, escorted by two large Me-109 formations, head directly for London. The Me-109's, of JG26 led by Adolf Galland and of JG54 led by Hannes Trautloft, engage the R.A.F. fighters over Kent and south London before they have to return low on fuel. This allows the bombers to make their target and drop bombs on London from the docks to the West End.

However, the bombers are now vulnerable and subsequently find themselves attacked head on by the Duxford Wing of five squadrons. In panic, many bomber crews split from formation, dump their bombs and turn for home only to be met by more R.A.F. fighters. By 1500hrs one of the largest aerial battles ever seen is in progress over London and the surrounding counties down to the south coast and over the Channel. It involves Hurricanes of No. 1, 17, 229, 238, 242, 253, 257, 302, 303, 310, 501, 504, 605 and 607 Squadrons and Spitfires of No. 19, 41, 66, 72, 92, 602, 603 and 611 Squadrons.

A Crashed Dornier

Meanwhile, a raid by He-111's attacks and bombs Southampton and Portland at about 1530hrs before interception is made by Spitfires of No. 152 Squadron, scrambled from Warmwell.

At 1700hrs Middle Wallop and Tangmere stations raise another raid alert as Me-110's sweep towards the Isle of Wight and Southampton. The Hurricanes of No. 607 Squadron are scrambled from Tangmere to intercept as the Spitfire producing factory at Wollston is attacked.

By 1800hrs, the skies are clear of aircraft and unbeknown to the British people the German High Command are considering suspending their invasion plans. It is clear to all Luftwaffe aircrews on this day that R.A.F. Fighter Command is far from being a spent force and without air superiority the invasion can not proceed.

During the night the main raids are centered on London with others on Liverpool, the Midlands, South Wales and Bristol.

Kesselring makes another great effort against London. He plans two main raids but they cannot be timed to catch the R.A.F. fighters refueling because his strength is sufficiently reduced that he must send the same fighters on both occasions. He can muster about 400 fighters but less than 200 bombers in the morning attack. The fighting is very heavy with the Germans being harried all the way to London, then being heavily engaged over London and all the way back to the coast. The bombers are not able to drop their loads with any accuracy at all. The afternoon shows a similar story but the fighter battles are more intense and the bombers bomb nearer to their targets as a consequence. The destruction by the bombers this day is catastrophic, but no essential war targets are hit. Other Luftwaffe targets are the seaplane installations in Southampton, but heavy anti-aircraft fire prevents much real damage.

During the night Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool and Manchester are attacked. A 1000-kg delayed-action bomb is removed from a deep crater near St Paul's Cathedral and is exploded on the Hackney Marshes. Although the fighter combats have gone about equally the German bomber losses are very severe, bringing the German loss for the day to 60 aircraft for a bag of 26 from the R.A.F.. Many more German bombers have been damaged or have crewmen dead or wounded. Their morale suffers as they meet up to 300 R.A.F. fighters in one raid after their leaders have told them that the R.A.F. as a whole has less than this number. Although it is not apparent at the time or for several weeks afterward, this is the last real attempt by the Luftwaffe to destroy the resistance of Fighter Command. The day by which Göring had hoped to eliminate the R.A.F. has ended in another British victory. This day becomes known as 'Battle of Britain Day'.

Battle of Britain

Day 69

Weather - Cloud and rain over the country.

Combat - Although the weather is poor, an early raid is detected over the Channel at about 0730hrs of nearly 350 aircraft heading directly towards London in several waves. The concentration of R.A.F. fighters already airborne appear to have an effect on the bombers as they spilt up into groups and turn back towards France. Hurricanes of No. 605 Squadron, scrambled from Croydon, find themselves in a battle over Kent with Me-109's of JG51. The Me-109's were led by Major Werner Molders, who shoots down one of the Hurricanes.

Shortly afterwards at about 1000hrs a reconnaissance Ju-88 is plotted off the east coast of Norfolk and Lincolnshire. Hurricanes of No. 257 Squadron are scrambled from Martlesham Heath along with Spitfires of No. 616 Squadron from Kirton-in-Lindsey. The Spitfires successfully intercept and shoot the Ju-88 down into the North Sea.

Throughout the remainder of the day there are no large-scale raids made by the Luftwaffe, but only reconnaissance and fighter sweeps across southern England. Patrolling R.A.F. squadrons make interceptions with a few of these raids.

During the night there are two main phases of attacks. The first raid splits, sending bombers to the Bristol area, Wales, Liverpool and London while later into the night a second raid concentrates on London and the southeast.

R.A.F. Losses: 5 aircraft damaged or destroyed and 1 pilot wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 18 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 17 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 5 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

The Battle of the Atlantic

• The British light cruiser Dragon captures the Vichy French steamer Touareg (5135t) off the Congo River.

• U-99 sinks the Norwegian steamer Lotos (1327t) 15 miles northeast of Rockiall. All 17 survivors are rescued.
• German bombing sinks the British steamer Aska (8323t) carrying 186 crew and 358 troops. 11 crewmen and 19 troops are lost. Surivors are rescued by the escort vessel Jason. Also sinking by German bombing is the British steamer City of Mobile (6614t), but the entire crew is rescued.
• The Vichy French steamer Poitier (4185t) is intercepted by the British heavy cruiser Cumberland en route from Libreville to Dakar. Rather than be captured, she scuttles herself. The entire crew is rescued by the cruiser.

The Blitz

170 German bombers are over England. 130 of these hit London and drop 200 tons of bombs.

Britain, Home Front

Conscription of men aged between 21 and 35 is now permitted by the Selective Service Bill.

German Raiders

The German armed merchant cruiser Pinguin captures the Norwegian steamer Norvard (4111t) in the Indian Ocean. 28 of her crew are repatriated to Norway in December.

Mediterranean

Swordfish aircraft from the carrier Illustrious, escorted by the battleship Valiant, attack Benghazi during the night. Four Italian ships are sunk in the harbor, including two destroyers. The cruiser Kent is detached from the force while returning to Alexandria in order to shell Bardia and is badly damaged in an attack by torpedo planes.

Battle of Britain

Day 70

Weather - Generally cloudy with showers and thunderstorms.

Combat - During the morning there are many reconnaissance raids made by the Luftwaffe over Southern England and around London. One of these raiders, a Ju-88, is intercepted and shot down over Dorset by Spitfires of No. 152 Squadron that had been scrambled from Warmwell.

Not until mid-afternoon, at about 1530hrs, does any sizeable raid appear over the coast. It consists of several large waves of Me-109 fighters that sweep across Kent. Furious dogfights break out involving Hurricanes of No. 17, 303, 501, 504 and 607 Squadrons and Spitfires of No. 19, 41 and 611 Squadrons.

Later at 1800hrs Hurricanes of No. 151 Squadron scrambles from Digby, intercepts a He-111.

During the night London is bombed again along with raids on Liverpool, South Wales, East Anglia, Middlesborough and Glasgow. Mines are dropped in the Thames Estuary and off the coasts of Kent and Suffolk.

R.A.F. Losses: 13 aircraft damaged and destroyed, 3 pilots killed and 2 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 17 aircraft damaged and destroyed, 17 pilots & aircrew killed or missing and 8 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Dockland Area Bomb Damage

Atlantic

In the City of Benares Affair, U-48 sinks the liner carrying 102 children to Canada under the Children's Overseas Reception Board scheme. 77 children and 248 crew are lost.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-65 sinks the British steamer Tregenna (5242t) from Convoy HX-71 78 miles northwest of Rockall. 33 crewmen are lost. 4 survivors are picked up by the British steamer Filleigh.
• U-99 sinks the British steamer Crown Arun (2372t), a straggler from Convoy HX-71, north of Rockall. 25 survivors are picked up by the British destroyer Winchelsea.
• The Greek steamer Kalliopi S (5152t) is sunk by German bombing 11 miles southwest of Tory Island.

The Blitz

Liverpool is bombed by the Luftwaffe. 350 tons of bombs are dropped on London with the worst damage being in the southern and eastern boroughs.

German Raiders

In the Indian Ocean the disguised German raider Atlantis sinks the Free French liner Commissaire Ramel (10,000t).

Germany, Planning

After failing to achieve aerial supremacy over southern England, Hitler decides to suspend Operation SEALION. The Allies learn of this through an intercepted Enigma signal. Meanwhile, General Friedrich von Paulus, the Deputy Chief of the Army General Staff, presents a further plan for the attack on the Soviet Union. This version envisages three thrusts for Leningrad, Moscow and Kiev, but the emphasis is still on the central advance to the Soviet capital. Further consideration over the coming weeks confirms to the General Staff that the priority is correct (see December 5).

Battle of Britain

Day 71

Weather - Wind and showers with occasional bright intervals.

Combat - At about 0900hrs a raid of 150 Me-109's is plotted approaching the Kent coast. Fighter Command scrambles fifteen squadrons to intercept but only the Hurricanes of No. 501 Squadron, from Kenley and Spitfires of No. 72 and 92 (both from Biggin Hill), No. 41 and 603 (both from Hornchurch) and No. 19 (from Duxford) Squadrons successfully manage to engage the raiders.

Condensation Trails Over Kent

Just after 1230hrs a large raid, consisting of Ju-88's Me-109's, crosses the coast near Dover heading directly towards Maidstone and London. Shortly after another wave of Ju-88's heads along the east coast of Kent towards the Thames Estuary area. As the raiders approach London and Gravesend areas the Hurricanes of No. 17, 46 and 501 Squadrons along with Spitfires of No. 41 and 66 Squadrons intercept, causing the bomber formations to break up. As bitter aerial battles develop the Hurricanes (No. 242, 302 and 310 Squadrons) and Spitfires (19 & 611 Squadrons) of the Duxford Wing dive into the bombers inflicting further losses.

From 1545hrs to around 1630hrs several waves of Ju-88's and Me109's cross the coast at Dover, Deal and Thames Estuary areas. Hurricanes of No. 17 and 302 Squadrons and Spitfires of No. 66 and 92 Squadrons scramble to engage the enemy over the Thames and East Kent.

During the night heavy raids are made on London with further bombs dropping on Liverpool, areas of the North East, Bristol and Humber areas.

R.A.F. Losses: 20 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 2 pilots killed and 6 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 27 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 41 pilots & aircrew killed or missing and 7 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Battle of the Atlantic

• British bombing sinks the German steamer Johann Blumenthal (1626t) at Cherbourg.
• U-48 sinks the British steamers City of Benares (11,081t) and Marina (5088t) from Convoy OB-213 about 250 miles west-southwest of Rockall. 119 crew and 134 passengers are lost from a crew of 207 and a total of 191 passengers, some children being evacuated to Canada. 2 crewmen are lost from the Marina. The British destroyer Hurricane picks up the survivors of both ships.

Atlantic

On orders from Hitler, the invasion fleet is to be dispersed to reduce losses from British bombing raids.

Axis Diplomacy

Ribbentrop meets Mussolini and Ciano in Rome and warns them not to attack Greece or Yugoslavia. The Italian leaders dutifully reply that they will conquer Egypt first.

Battle of the Atlantic

The British tanker Shelbrit (1025t) sinks on a mine in the Moray Firth. The entire crew are lost.

Battle of Britain

Day 72

Weather - Overcast with showers over most of the country.

Combat - Due to bad weather no large-scale raids are made by the Luftwaffe. Small raids, however, are made throughout the day across southern England and the east coast.

The first action at 0900hrs involves Hurricanes of No. 504 Squadron, scrambled from Hendon, engaging He-111's and is shortly followed by interception of Ju-88's, off Suffolk, by Hurricanes of No. 17 Squadron scrambled from Debden. At about midday more Ju-88's cross East Anglia and the Thames Estuary. These are engaged by Hurricanes of No. 249 and 302 Squadrons and Spitfires of No. 92 Squadron.

Just before 1500hrs Hurricanes of No. 151 Squadron, which had been scrambled from Digby, intercept a Ju-88 over Cambridgeshire. Meanwhile over the Channel, Spitfires of No. 152 Squadron scrambled from Warmwell, intercept and shoot down another Ju-88.

The German invasion fleet begins to disperse from the Channel ports. The later reports of the German navy show that 1918 barges have been assembled, of which 214 have been sunk or damaged. Similarly 21 out of 170 transports have been lost.

Battle of Britain

Day 73

Weather - Generally fair conditions with bright intervals. Occasional showers expected.

Combat - The scale of raids is again on a reduced scale. The first raid crossed the coast between Dungeness and Dover at about 1100hrs. It consisted of several waves of Me109's and Ju88's that headed straight through into Kent. They were engaged by the Spitfires of No. 41, 72, 92 & 222 Squadrons and Hurricanes of No. 605 Squadron with ensuing dogfights spreading over Kent and down to the Channel.

German Bomber

For the remainder of the day there were only small raids made against England, of which most were reconnaissance.

During the night raids were significantly reduced compared to previous nights with only a few plotted approaching London. Mines were dropped off the North East coast, in the Humber and off the Norfolk coast.

R.A.F. Losses: 10 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 5 pilots killed and 1 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 13 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 6 pilots & aircrew killed or missing and 5 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The convoy HX-72 is successfully attacked by a U-boat group that becomes known as a 'Wolf Pack'. Altogether 12 ships of 78,000 tons are sunk, seven of them during the night of 21-22 September by Schepke's U-100 without him even being detected by the convoy escorts. Also involved in the attack are Prien's U-47 and Kretschmer's U-99.
• U-138 attacks Convoy OB-216 sinking the British steamer Empire Adventure(5145t) off Islay, the British tanker New Sevilla (13,801t) and the Panamanian steamer Boka (5560t) both 52 miles north of Rathlin Island. 21 crewmen are lost from the Empire Adventure. Survivors are rescued by the British corvette Arabis. 2 of the crew are lost from the New Sevilla and 8 from the Boka The Boka survivors are also picked up by the Arabis.
• The Dutch steamer Trito (1057t) is sunk by German bombing in the North Sea. There are 3 survivors.

The Blitz

In an attack on London St Paul's Cathedral is hit by a 1-ton bomb which fails to explode. The gas works in Stepney, Holborn Viaduct and St Paul's Station are also hit.

Anti-Aircraft Defense

Air Operations, North Africa

The R.A.F. bomb Sidi Barrani.

Atlantic

• The German invasion fleet in the Channel ports now totals 155 steamers, 1277 barges, 471 tugs and 1161 motor boats.
• U-100 sinks 7 ships from convoy HX-72 in 4 hours. 12 out of 41 ships are lost in this convoy.

Australia, Politics

The election results are declared. Robert Menzies remains Prime Minister. Labor is the largest party in both the House and the Senate but has no overall majority.

It is announced that a 9th Australian Division will be raised.

Finland

The first German troops arrive in the country, at the port of Vaasa. Their arrival is generally welcomed by the Finns, who see them as a deterrent against further Soviet threats. Over the next few months more German troops will arrive and establish quarters, depots and bases along the rail lines from Vaasa and Oulu to Kolari and Rovaniemi, and from there along the roads via Kilpisjärvi or Ivalo to northern Norway.

Battle of Britain

Day 74

Weather - Conditions generally fine over most of the country.

Combat - Throughout the morning small raids are made against targets at Weybridge, Ramsgate and Rye and many more reconnaissance flights across southern England. Although several squadrons scramble no successful interceptions are made apart from Hurricanes of No 238 Squadron, scrambled from Middle Wallop, which shoots down a Ju-88 near Tangmere just before 1500hrs.

German Dornier Crash Near Victoria Station

The only large raid during daylight materializes at about 1800hrs when over 200 aircraft cross the coast in several waves and make for the airfields south of London. All five squadrons of the Duxford Wing are scrambled along with Spitfires of No. 41, 72, 92 and 603 Squadrons and Hurricanes of No. 253 and 501 Squadrons to intercept the raid.

Although several squadrons scramble no successful interceptions are made apart from Hurricanes of No 238 Squadron, scrambled from Middle Wallop, which shoots down a Ju-88 near Tangmere just before 1500hrs.

The only large raid during daylight materializes at about 1800hrs when over 200 aircraft cross the coast in several waves and make for the airfields south of London. All five squadrons of the Duxford Wing are scrambled along with Spitfires of No. 41, 72, 92 and 603 Squadrons and Hurricanes of No. 253 and 501 Squadrons to intercept the raid.

During the night raids are made on London, East Anglia, Liverpool and areas of South Wales. Mines are dropped in the Thames Estuary, off the Yorkshire coast, in the Tyne area and off the East coast of Scotland.

R.A.F. Losses: 3 aircraft damaged or destroyed with no pilot losses.

Luftwaffe Losses: 14 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 17 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 2 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Battle of Britain

Day 75

Weather - Overcast with early morning fog. Cloudy in most areas with occasional rain.

Combat - Compared to the previous Sunday, this day was very quiet of combat with only reconnaissance raids being flown across the whole of southern England from 0700hrs to 1900hrs.

Although most of the raids went without interception, one Ju88 was shot down by a Spitfire of No. 234 Squadron over the Channel at about 1700hrs.

Australia's Few

During the night the main bombing raids were targeted on London with small raids plotted over Bristol, South Wales and Liverpool.

R.A.F. Losses: 3 aircraft damaged or destroyed (all accidents) with no pilot loss.

Luftwaffe Losses: 12 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 11 pilots killed or missing and 2 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Battle of the Atlantic

• In further attacks on Convoy HX-72 U-100 sinks the British steamer Empire Airman (6586t), the British tanker Frederick S. Fales (10,525t) and the Norwegian steamer Simla (6031t) 340 miles west of Bloody Foreland. 33 are lost from the Empire Airman, 2 from the Frederick S. Fales and 5 from the Simla. Survivors are picked up by the British corvettes La Malouine and Heartsease.
• The Norwegian steamer Tirrana (7230t), which was captured by the German armed merchant cruiser Atlantis on 10 June, is sunk by the British submarine Tuna 10 miles south of Bordeaux. 187 men are lost in the sinking.

Diplomatic Relations

• The Vichy authorities in Indochina agree to the Japanese ultimatum of 20 September. Japan is formally granted air bases and the right to maintain troops in French Indochina under terms of a treaty signed in Hanoi. The governor general of Indochina, Gen Georges Catroux, sought Allied aid to fight the Japanese, but Britain (and the United States) said it was not possible to consider military action in Asia.
• In protest of the Prime Minister's failure to declare war on Italy, the Saadist Party minister withdraw from the Egypt's Coalition Government.

Finland

Finland agrees to allow transit rights to German troops en route to north Norway in return for arms supplies.

Air Operations, Europe

During the night 129 R.A.F. bombers attack Berlin.

Battle of Britain

Day 76

Weather - Conditions fine over the country.

Combat - Between 0930hrs and 1000hrs two large formations of Me-109's, totalling nearly 200, cross the Kent coast and head toward London. Over twenty Fighter Command squadrons are scrambled to meet the raid, but only a few succeed in engaging the raiders. Hurricanes of No. 73, 229, 257 and 303 Squadrons along with Spitfires of No. 41, 72, 92 and 603 Squadrons are engaged in dogfights over Kent, Sussex and the Channel for nearly one hour.

The Hurricanes of No. 73 Squadron, scrambled from Debden, suffer the loss of four aircraft to the Me-109's with three of the pilots severely wounded.

At about 1100hrs, Spitfires of No. 234 Squadron scramble from St. Eval and intercept a small raid of Me-109's off the coast of Cornwall.

Just after 1300hrs Spitfires of No. 41 Squadron scramble from Hornchurch to escort an Anson reconnaissance plane off Dover. They are attacked by Me-109's, of JG23, subsequently forcing the Anson to land before the Spitfires chase them back towards Calais.

Two raids are plotted approaching the Thames Estuary and Folkestone at 1730hrs whereby quick attacks are made on the areas of Sheppey, Rye and along the east coast of Kent. Although several squadrons are scrambled to engage the raids, no interceptions are made.

During the night more raids are made on London with bombs also dropping on Newmarket, near Duxford, Digby, Liverpool, Preston, the Midlands, South Wales and the Bristol area. Mines are dropped along the East coast from the Humber to Scotland.

R.A.F. Losses: 13 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 1 pilot killed and 6 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 22 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 17 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 1 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Battle of the Atlantic

British submarine H-49 sinks the German steamer Heimdal (2186t) 7 miles northwest of Terschelling.

The Blitz

Liverpool is bombed by the Luftwaffe.

Britain, Home Front

The George Cross and the George Medal are instituted for civilian bravery.

Czechoslovakia, Politics

A provisional government is formed in London and is recognized by Britain. Dr Eduard Beneš is president and Mngr Jan Sramek is prime minister.

Gen Spears and Gen de Gaulle

Air Operations, Mediterranean

As a retaliation for the events at Dakar, Vichy air forces raid Gibraltar. The attack is ineffective.

Battle of Britain

Day 77

Weather - Early morning fog and haze over most areas. Clearing later in day, but Channel remaining hazy.

Combat - At 0830hrs a large raid of over 200 aircraft crosses the coast between Dover and Dungeness, consisting of mainly Ju-88's and Me-109's. As they approach London the Spitfires of No. 72 and 92 Squadrons, both from Biggin Hill, are heavily engaged by the Me-109's. Both the Spitfire squadrons lose aircraft without inflicting any losses to the raiders whilst all other R.A.F. squadrons scrambled have been recalled as the bombers turned back without executing their attack.

Just after 1100hrs two waves of attacks cross the Kent coast. The first crosses near Dover and the second over the east near Ramsgate to attack coastal towns. Although several squadrons are scrambled, most fail to intercept due to poor weather and cloud cover but Hurricanes of No. 17 Squadron, scrambled from Debden, are attacked by Me-109's of JG26 led by Major Adolf Galland.

Over the next few hours many reconnaissance raids are made over southern England until about 1330hrs when a large raid of Me-110's and Me-109's approach the Isle of Wight and head straight for the Woolston aircraft factory in Southampton. The attack is fast and most of the raiders have returned back towards France before nearly all the squadrons scrambled to intercept could reach the area. Spitfires of No. 41 Squadron do manage to engage Me-109's over the Channel but lose two aircraft in the dogfight.

Shortly after 1600hrs another raid, consisting of Do-17's, He-111's and Me-109's, is plotted approaching the Isle of Wight and Southampton. As they cross the coast and turn inland, Hurricanes of No. 56, 238, 605 and 607 Squadrons along with Spitfires of No. 66, 152 and 609 Squadrons have been scrambled to intercept. The Hurricanes of No. 605 Squadron engage Do-17's and some fleeing He-111's are attacked by Spitfires of No. 66 Squadron over Kent.

During the night most of the bombing raids are made on London with a few on Liverpool, the Midlands and Dundee.

R.A.F. Losses: 15 aircraft damaged or destroyed, with 2 pilots killed and 5 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 20 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 16 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 6 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British submarine Tuna sinks the German steamer Ostmark (1280t) off Belle Ile.
• The British steamer Continental Coaster (555t) is sunk by German motor torpedo boat S-30 in the North Sea with the loss of 4 crewmen.

The Blitz

London is bombed by the Luftwaffe. Fire brigades tackle more than 1,000 fires.

The Windmill Theatre Carries on for the People of London

Air Operations, Mediterranean

Vichy air forces again raid Gibraltar. Although a total of 600 tons of bombs are dropped, there is very little damage one either day.

Battle of Britain

Day 78

Weather - Fair conditions in most areas with some haze over the Channel.

Combat - The day starts relatively quietly with only a few reconnaissance raids until about 1100hrs when a large raid is plotted heading towards the coastline of Dorset. The He-111's, Me-110's and Me-109's attack the Bristol Aeroplane Company's factory in Filton while Ju-88's brea off and attack the oil tanks at Portland. Hurricanes of No. 229 and 238 Squadrons and Spitfires of No. 152 and 234 Squadrons are scrambled, with all successfully engaging the raiders. The He-111's of KG53 and KG55 suffer heavy losses to the Hurricanes of No. 238 Squadron, from Middle Wallop, with Pilot Officer John Urwin-Mann (a Canadian pilot) shooting down two of the bombers.

It was not until later in the day, at about 1600hrs, that a second raid is made, this time on the Plymouth and Isle of Wight areas. Both attacks are made by Me-110's before they are intercepted by Hurricanes of No. 238 and 607 Squadrons and Spitfires of No. 609 Squadron.

During the night more raids attack London while others are made on Derby, South Wales, Liverpool, the Midlands and East Anglia. Mines are dropped in the Thames Estuary.

R.A.F. Losses: 10 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 5 pilots were killed or missing and 1 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 22 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 36 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 5 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

The Blitz

A major daylight raid hits London. During the night Bristol is hit by 27 bombers escorted by 30 Me-110s. 82 are killed and 170 injured.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-29 badly damages the British steamer Eurymedon (6223t) 366 miles west of Achill Head with the loss of 29 passengers and crew. She founders for 2 days before sinking on the 27th. 64 survivors are picked up by the Canadian destroyer Ottawa.
• U-32 sinks the British steamer Mabriton (6694t) west-southwest of Rockall. 25 survivors are picked up by the British minesweeper Jason and the sloop Rochester.
• U-43 sinks the British steamer Sulairia (5802t) from the dispersed Convoy OB-217 with the loss of 1 of her crew. 56 survivors are picked up by the Canadian destroyer Ottawa.
• The French trawler Findlande (1344t) is seized by Canadian forces in the Newfoundland area.

Britain, Command

Charles Portal is appointed to become the R.A.F. Chief of Air Staff.

French West Africa

The British battleship Barham is hit by 15-inch shell from Richelieu. The defense at Dakar continues to be very efficient. The British commanders along with de Gaulle realize that a landing may be too costly in men and material. After the setbacks of the past few days, Churchill orders the operation to be abandoned. The British ships withdraw to Freetown, the capital of the British colony of Sierra Leone.

Norway

Josef Terboven, the Reichs Commissioner, deposes the King of Norway formally and appoints Vidkun Quisling to lead the new Norwegian government. In reality Quisling is a German puppet with limited authority.

Battle of Britain

Day 79

Weather - Mainly fine conditions with light cloud over most of the country.

Combat - Throughout the morning and early afternoon small, single aircraft, reconnaissance and bombing raids are made on coastal towns from Yorkshire down to Kent and along the South coast. Although many squadrons are scrambled during this period, very few interceptions are made.

At about 1630hrs, a large raid approaches the Isle of Wight and Southampton areas. Once again, the He-111's of KG55 are escorted by Me-110's and bombed the Woolston factory in Southampton, inflicting severe damage. Hurricanes of No. 229, 238, 253, 303 (Polish) and 607 Squadrons and Spitfires of No. 92, 152, 602 and 609 Squadrons have been scrambled to intercept the raid. Up until nearly 1800hrs chases and dogfights spread across the southern areas of England and over the Channel.

As darkness was falling, a raid is made on Crewe just before 2000hrs without interception.

During the night heavy raids are made across the country to London, Liverpool, Hull, the Midlands, Cambridge, Newmarket and the airfields at Mildenhall and Duxford. Mines are also dropped in the Thames Estuary.

R.A.F. Losses: 7 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 2 pilots killed and 2 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 17 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 23 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 10 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-32 badly damages the British steamer Corrientes (6863t) from dispersed Convoy OB-217 about 600 miles west of Achill Head. The abandoned ship is sunk on 28 September by U-37. The entire crew of 50 is rescued by the Swedish steamer Kolsnaren. U-32 also sinks the British steamer Darcoila (4084t) and the Norwegian steamer Tancred (6094t), both of the dispersed Convoy OB-217, west of Ireland. The entire crew of 37 is lost from the Darcoila while the entire crew of 36 from the Tancred is rescued by the Norwegian steamer Tricolor.
• U-46 sinks the Norwegian steamer Siljan (3058t) 350 miles southwest of Ireland with the loss of 9 of her crew. U-46 also sinks the British steamer Coast Wings (862t), a straggler from Convoy OG-43 in the North Atlantic, with the loss of her entire crew of 16.
• In attacks on Convoy OB-218 U-137 sinks the British steamer Manchester Brigade (6042t) west of Malin Head with the loss of 56 of her 60-man crew, the British tanker Stratford (4753t) 85 miles west-southwest of Bloody Foreland with the loss of 2 crewmen, and the Norwegian steamer Asgerd (1308t). The British corvette Gloxinia rescues the 32 survivors from Stratford.
• The British steamer Port Denison is damaged by German bombing 6 miles northeast of Peterhead. She sinks on the 27th with the loss of 16 of her crew. Survivors are rescued by the British anti-submarine trawler Pentland Firth.
• The German steamer Weser (9179t), which is to supply the German armed merchant cruiser Orion, is captured by the Canadian armed merchant cruiser Prince Robert as she leaves Manzanillo, Peru.

The Blitz

Liverpool is bombed by the Luftwaffe. The attack on London lasts from 8pm until 3:30am The northern and western areas of the city are hit the hardest. The Houses of Parliament are also hit.

Atlantic

The British submarine H-49, built in 1919, returns after a successful patrol off the Frisian Islands. 2 convoys were attacked during the patrol.

Axis Diplomacy

Germany, Italy and Japan enter into a 10-year military and economic agreement. Also, the agreement promises that each will declare war on any third party which joins the war against one of the three. It is stated this agreement does not affect either Germany's or Japan's relations with the USSR. This treaty is known as the Tripartite Pact. All the signatories hope that the pact will deter the United States from joining the war in Europe or taking a more active line in the Far East. The agreement also recognizes the right of the Germans and the Italians to establish a 'new order' in Europe and the Japanese to impose theirs in Asia.

Japan Joins the Axis Powers

Battle of Britain

Day 80

Weather - Fair across the south with occasional rain. Cloudy in the Channel.

Combat - The first large raid of the day appears at 0830hrs and consists of Me-109's and Me-110's. They sweep across the coast between Dover and Brighton and fly in split sections over the southeast, trying to encourage the R.A.F. fighters into battle. This duly happens and over the next hour, furious dogfights break out across Kent, Sussex, Surrey, London areas and north of London. In fact, an Me-110 is shot down by a Hurricane of No. 17 Squadron and crashes onto Duxford airfield. The fighting involves the Hurricanes of No. 17, 46, 73, 249, 253, 303 (Polish) and 501 Squadrons along with Spitfires of No. 64, 72, 92 and 602 Squadrons.

Meanwhile, at about 0900hrs, a small number of Ju-88's cross the coast of North Devon and are intercepted by Spitfires of No. 152 Squadron, scrambled from Warmwell.

As the first major attack subsides, another approaches the Kent and Sussex coast at 1130hrs and consists only of Do-17 and Ju-88 bombers. Fighter Command Squadrons are ripping into the helpless bombers as the Me-109 and Me-110 fighter escorts arrive. For nearly two hours aerial battles consume the skies over southern England involving the Hurricanes of No. 46, 229, 242, 249, 310 (Czech) and 501 Squadrons and the Spitfires of No. 19, 41, 66, 72, 92, 222, 602, 603 and 616 Squadrons.

As the raid over the southeast is developing, another approaches Dorset and attacks Filton at about 1130hrs. This raid is made up of Me-110's and Me-109's and are engaged by Spitfires of No. 152 and 609 Squadrons and Hurricanes of No. 56 and 504 Squadrons.

Just after 1500hrs, a third large raid consisting of Ju-88's and Me-109's is plotted approaching the coast between Dover and Brighton. They head straight for London and although intercepted by Hurricanes of No. 229, 249, 303 (Polish) and 501 Squadrons along with Spitfires of No. 19, 41, 66 and 92 Squadrons, many bombers make it through to central London to inflict heavy damage.

There are no further raids until during the night when the all too familiar pattern of bombing raids on London continue. Further raids are made against Liverpool, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Nottingham and the Bristol Channel area.

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

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.

Battle of Britain

Day 82

Weather - Fine conditions early on, clouding over for most of the day and clearing later.

Combat

Due to the weather, this Sunday is relatively quiet compared to the past few days. Over the southeast of England there are many reconnaissance and fighter raids with bombs being dropped near Felixstowe and Thames Estuary areas.

Just before midday a convoy off Portsmouth reports an attack whilst another is bombed off North Wales. Later at about 1700hrs Hurricanes of No. 253 Squadron, scrambled from Kenley, scramble to intercept Me-109's over Sussex.

Between 1800hrs and 1900hrs three raids of He-111's fly up the west coast into the Irish Sea. Hurricanes of No. 504 and 601 Squadrons have been scrambled from Exeter but only the Hurricanes of No. 79 Squadron, scrambled from Pembrey, intercept the bombers.

Hawker Hurricane Intercepting German Bombers

During the night most of the bombing is concentrated on London with smaller raids on Liverpool, the Midlands, South Wales, East Anglia and the Middle Wallop area.

R.A.F. Losses: 9 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 2 pilots killed and 1 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 18 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 21 pilots and aircrew killed or missing with no reported wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

The Blitz

Liverpool is bombed by the Luftwaffe.

First Bombs On Lewes

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

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.