Keep it coming Chris!
This Day in the Battle of Britain
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Njaco
The Pop-Tart Whisperer
13 JULY 1940 Saturday
UNITED KINGDOM: The day started out very much like the day before with morning fog over southern England. There was very little activity, even by the Luftwaffe. As the conditions seemed to improve during the morning, a couple of attacks were made on the port of Dover. As in the days previous, targets for the Luftwaffe were shipping and convoys. RAF No. 43 Sqn Tangmere (Hurricanes) responded and engaged a force of He111' over the Channel. At 1114 hours a Heinkel He 111 was shot down over Spithead by Hurricanes from RAF No. 43 Squadron. Early afternoon saw a couple of feint attacks on a convoy off the Essex coast near Harwich. Two raids headed for the Isle of Wight. Engaged by Hurricanes of RAF No. 501 Sqd, the formations lost only one Do 17 that crashed west of Southampton.
Later in the afternoon, enemy aircraft were detected again in the Channel area and again attacked the convoy "Bread" off the Dorset coast near Lyme Bay - RAF No. 56 Sqn North Weald (Hurricanes), RAF No. 64 Sqn Kenley (Spitfires) and RAF No. 238 Sqn (Hurricanes) were scrambled to intercept. One Do17 was shot down during the afternoon by RAF No. 238 Sqn while another five were destroyed about 15 miles off Calais at 1800 hours
The Bf 110s of V./LG 1 flew their first major mission of the war, entrusted to attack a convoy along with a formation of twenty Ju 87 Stuka bombers of II./StG 1 off Portland at 1420 hours. Failing to find the target, the forty twin-engined fighters formed a defensive circle, or 'Abwehrkreis', when Hurricanes of RAF No. 238 Sqd and Spitfires of RAF No. 609 Sqd bounced the formation. One Bf 110 was shot down and three others were badly damaged as the defensive maneuver worked. Two Ju 87s were so badly damaged that they crash landed returning to France - one at Cap Gris-Nez and another at Noorfontes. The British lost two Hurricanes from RAF No. 56 Sqd while RAF No. 238 Sqd lost one fighter.
Dover Harbour and a convoy south of the city were the target for a mixed flight of Ju 87 dive-bombers and Bf 109 fighters shortly after 1730 hours. Bounced by Spitfires of RAF No. 64 Sqd, the Jagdflieger suffered several Messerschmitts damaged along with a Ju 87 shot down by anti-aircraft fire. The defending anti-aircraft fire also claimed a Spitfire but the plane managed to land safely.
Reaching the convoy just off the Straits of Dover at 1800 hours the twelve Ju 87's from StG 1 along with twelve fighters from II./JG 51 attacked. Eleven Hurricanes from RAF No. 56 Squadron attacked the Stukas. The escorting Messerschmitts dove to break up the Hurricanes. Oblt. Josef Fözö, a Staffelkapitän with the II Gruppe of JG 51, described the action;
Although two Hurricanes were actually lost, eight JG 51 pilots were given credit for kills including two for Oblt. Josef Fözö and one for Hptm. Horst Tietzen and Oblt. Arnold Lignitz. P/O Michael Robert Mudie from RAF No. 615 Sqn. on convoy patrol off Dover in Hurricane L1584G, was shot down by a Bf 109 of JG51 at 1530 hours. He died the next day.
A second attack on the convoy near Dover brought down a Fw 200 four-engined bomber from I./KG 40, for a total of seven German aircraft lost for the day. Several bombs were dropped on the convoy but the attack was unsuccessful.
For once during the battle, the evening finds very little activity over England as few raids were conducted by the Luftwaffe. Between 0038-0138 hrs in Co Durham a large number of IBs dropped on railway lines leading to Seaton Snooks, others on west side of Brenda Road, West Hartlepool. No damage. IBs also fell near Graythorp Village. Co Durham.. Shotley Bridge district.. Many IBs dropped in region of Bridgehill near Consett. A cow was killed, a house was slightly damaged by fire. Bombs were dropped in the following areas: - Dundee, Warmwell, 4 miles NE Lulworth Cove. Fighters were despatched to intercept a few enemy raids but no interceptions were effected.
UNITED KINGDOM: The day started out very much like the day before with morning fog over southern England. There was very little activity, even by the Luftwaffe. As the conditions seemed to improve during the morning, a couple of attacks were made on the port of Dover. As in the days previous, targets for the Luftwaffe were shipping and convoys. RAF No. 43 Sqn Tangmere (Hurricanes) responded and engaged a force of He111' over the Channel. At 1114 hours a Heinkel He 111 was shot down over Spithead by Hurricanes from RAF No. 43 Squadron. Early afternoon saw a couple of feint attacks on a convoy off the Essex coast near Harwich. Two raids headed for the Isle of Wight. Engaged by Hurricanes of RAF No. 501 Sqd, the formations lost only one Do 17 that crashed west of Southampton.
Later in the afternoon, enemy aircraft were detected again in the Channel area and again attacked the convoy "Bread" off the Dorset coast near Lyme Bay - RAF No. 56 Sqn North Weald (Hurricanes), RAF No. 64 Sqn Kenley (Spitfires) and RAF No. 238 Sqn (Hurricanes) were scrambled to intercept. One Do17 was shot down during the afternoon by RAF No. 238 Sqn while another five were destroyed about 15 miles off Calais at 1800 hours
The Bf 110s of V./LG 1 flew their first major mission of the war, entrusted to attack a convoy along with a formation of twenty Ju 87 Stuka bombers of II./StG 1 off Portland at 1420 hours. Failing to find the target, the forty twin-engined fighters formed a defensive circle, or 'Abwehrkreis', when Hurricanes of RAF No. 238 Sqd and Spitfires of RAF No. 609 Sqd bounced the formation. One Bf 110 was shot down and three others were badly damaged as the defensive maneuver worked. Two Ju 87s were so badly damaged that they crash landed returning to France - one at Cap Gris-Nez and another at Noorfontes. The British lost two Hurricanes from RAF No. 56 Sqd while RAF No. 238 Sqd lost one fighter.
Dover Harbour and a convoy south of the city were the target for a mixed flight of Ju 87 dive-bombers and Bf 109 fighters shortly after 1730 hours. Bounced by Spitfires of RAF No. 64 Sqd, the Jagdflieger suffered several Messerschmitts damaged along with a Ju 87 shot down by anti-aircraft fire. The defending anti-aircraft fire also claimed a Spitfire but the plane managed to land safely.
Reaching the convoy just off the Straits of Dover at 1800 hours the twelve Ju 87's from StG 1 along with twelve fighters from II./JG 51 attacked. Eleven Hurricanes from RAF No. 56 Squadron attacked the Stukas. The escorting Messerschmitts dove to break up the Hurricanes. Oblt. Josef Fözö, a Staffelkapitän with the II Gruppe of JG 51, described the action;
The British lost two Hurricanes in the battle along with two more damaged for a cost to Oblt. Fözö's Gruppe of one Bf 109 from 9./JG 51 destroyed. The British fighters also claimed three Stukas shot down. The Kommodore of JG 51, Oberst Theo Osterkamp was credited with the destruction of one of the Hurricanes for his sixth and last aerial victory of the war. Sgt J.R.Cowsill of RAF No. 56 Sqn in Hurricane (N2432) was shot down and killed over Calais by a Bf 109 of JG 51 at 16:45hrs. Sgt J.J.Whitfield of RAF No. 56 Sqn was hit by gunfire from another Bf109 of JG51 over the Channel and crashed into sea at 1900hrs. Spitfire R6688 was destroyed.
Although two Hurricanes were actually lost, eight JG 51 pilots were given credit for kills including two for Oblt. Josef Fözö and one for Hptm. Horst Tietzen and Oblt. Arnold Lignitz. P/O Michael Robert Mudie from RAF No. 615 Sqn. on convoy patrol off Dover in Hurricane L1584G, was shot down by a Bf 109 of JG51 at 1530 hours. He died the next day.
A second attack on the convoy near Dover brought down a Fw 200 four-engined bomber from I./KG 40, for a total of seven German aircraft lost for the day. Several bombs were dropped on the convoy but the attack was unsuccessful.
For once during the battle, the evening finds very little activity over England as few raids were conducted by the Luftwaffe. Between 0038-0138 hrs in Co Durham a large number of IBs dropped on railway lines leading to Seaton Snooks, others on west side of Brenda Road, West Hartlepool. No damage. IBs also fell near Graythorp Village. Co Durham.. Shotley Bridge district.. Many IBs dropped in region of Bridgehill near Consett. A cow was killed, a house was slightly damaged by fire. Bombs were dropped in the following areas: - Dundee, Warmwell, 4 miles NE Lulworth Cove. Fighters were despatched to intercept a few enemy raids but no interceptions were effected.
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Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Good work Chris.
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- #44
Njaco
The Pop-Tart Whisperer
14 JULY 1940 Sunday
"THERE'S ONE GOING DOWN IN FLAMES!"
UNITED KINGDOM: The dawn brings clear weather for the day but the Luftwaffe failed to take advantage of the situation, instead conducting small and scattered raids on shipping and convoys. All through the morning the Luftwaffe tried to either engage in shipping attacks or at least to locate convoys. In almost all cases patrolling RAF fighters chased away the German bombers and fighters. Few, if any, targets experienced bombs dropping on them and it seems as if the Luftwaffe let an opportunity escape them.
At approximately 1100 hours a convoy was attacked off Manston by 1 Dornier escorted by 10 Bf109s but in consequence of timely action by two RAF fighter squadrons, the German aircraft were driven off. They suffered losses of 1 Bf109 confirmed and 4 Bf109s probable.
The only large scale raid of the day was made at about 1500 hours when a formation of about forty Ju 87s of II./LG 1, escorted by a number of Bf 109s from III./JG 3 and JG 51 headed towards Dover and the Channel looking for shipping convoys. As the convoy "Bread" continued its journey in the Channel, it again became the target for the Luftwaffe. More than 20 Do17s from KG 2 with a heavy fighter escort of Bf 109s from JG 51 and Bf 110s of ZG 26 were engaged by Spitfires and Hurricane's from Biggin Hill, Croydon and Manston. Over 100 aircraft were engaged. Most of the bombs missed the merchant ships although the bombers succeeded in damaging two of the merchant vessels and a naval unit. The SS Island Queen' (779t) cargo ship in convoy 'CW 5" was sunk by German aircraft off Dover. The Norwegian vessel 'Balder' and the British ship SS 'Mons' were damaged in the same convoy. Three RAF fighter squadrons converged on the formation and a great dogfight ensued. Three Ju 87s and three Bf 109s including one from 8./JG 3, were shot down. Another Bf 109 from 8./JG 3 was severely damaged during the fight. The British lost one Hurricane from RAF No. 615 Sqd to Hptm. Horst Tietzen of 5./JG 51 for his ninth victory. P/O Michael. Robert Mudie of RAF No. 615 Sqn flying a Hurricane (L1584) was shot down at 15:30hrs. He baled out badly injured and was rescued by Navy, but died the next day.
Towards the evening, owing probably to worsening weather, activity then decreased. 1 Ju88 was shot down by AA fire. In the east, casual shipping was attacked and a few localities bombed including Raynham Aerodrome. During the course of these attacks 1 Do17 and 1 He111 were shot down and 1 Do17 and 1 He111 were probable casualties. RAF No. 242 Sqn took part and accounted for one certain and one unconfirmed (included in the above). A few sporadic raids took place over the Scottish coast, none of these were intercepted.
Shortly before midnight, He 111s of I./KG 55 attacked the oil tanks at Avonmouth and searchlight placements at Bristol along with raids on the Isle of Wight, Kent and Suffolk. The attack on Avonmouth wrecked the railway line and dock's line along with a signals box. The National Smelting Works suffered a bomb dropped on them during a second raid.
Losses for the day were 2 machines for the Luftwaffe while the RAF lost 4 aircraft.
In reviewing the episode which brought down the He 59 floatplane on 11 July, the British took notice of how German search and rescue aircraft tended to circle above British convoys for no apparent reason. Believing that these planes were either shadowing convoys or guiding bomber formations to the ships, the RAF issued the following communiqué;
BBC Broadcast: 14 July 1940
Part of text of Charles Gardner's BBC Broadcast. Dover - July 14th 1940
"THERE'S ONE GOING DOWN IN FLAMES!"
UNITED KINGDOM: The dawn brings clear weather for the day but the Luftwaffe failed to take advantage of the situation, instead conducting small and scattered raids on shipping and convoys. All through the morning the Luftwaffe tried to either engage in shipping attacks or at least to locate convoys. In almost all cases patrolling RAF fighters chased away the German bombers and fighters. Few, if any, targets experienced bombs dropping on them and it seems as if the Luftwaffe let an opportunity escape them.
At approximately 1100 hours a convoy was attacked off Manston by 1 Dornier escorted by 10 Bf109s but in consequence of timely action by two RAF fighter squadrons, the German aircraft were driven off. They suffered losses of 1 Bf109 confirmed and 4 Bf109s probable.
The only large scale raid of the day was made at about 1500 hours when a formation of about forty Ju 87s of II./LG 1, escorted by a number of Bf 109s from III./JG 3 and JG 51 headed towards Dover and the Channel looking for shipping convoys. As the convoy "Bread" continued its journey in the Channel, it again became the target for the Luftwaffe. More than 20 Do17s from KG 2 with a heavy fighter escort of Bf 109s from JG 51 and Bf 110s of ZG 26 were engaged by Spitfires and Hurricane's from Biggin Hill, Croydon and Manston. Over 100 aircraft were engaged. Most of the bombs missed the merchant ships although the bombers succeeded in damaging two of the merchant vessels and a naval unit. The SS Island Queen' (779t) cargo ship in convoy 'CW 5" was sunk by German aircraft off Dover. The Norwegian vessel 'Balder' and the British ship SS 'Mons' were damaged in the same convoy. Three RAF fighter squadrons converged on the formation and a great dogfight ensued. Three Ju 87s and three Bf 109s including one from 8./JG 3, were shot down. Another Bf 109 from 8./JG 3 was severely damaged during the fight. The British lost one Hurricane from RAF No. 615 Sqd to Hptm. Horst Tietzen of 5./JG 51 for his ninth victory. P/O Michael. Robert Mudie of RAF No. 615 Sqn flying a Hurricane (L1584) was shot down at 15:30hrs. He baled out badly injured and was rescued by Navy, but died the next day.
Towards the evening, owing probably to worsening weather, activity then decreased. 1 Ju88 was shot down by AA fire. In the east, casual shipping was attacked and a few localities bombed including Raynham Aerodrome. During the course of these attacks 1 Do17 and 1 He111 were shot down and 1 Do17 and 1 He111 were probable casualties. RAF No. 242 Sqn took part and accounted for one certain and one unconfirmed (included in the above). A few sporadic raids took place over the Scottish coast, none of these were intercepted.
Shortly before midnight, He 111s of I./KG 55 attacked the oil tanks at Avonmouth and searchlight placements at Bristol along with raids on the Isle of Wight, Kent and Suffolk. The attack on Avonmouth wrecked the railway line and dock's line along with a signals box. The National Smelting Works suffered a bomb dropped on them during a second raid.
Losses for the day were 2 machines for the Luftwaffe while the RAF lost 4 aircraft.
In reviewing the episode which brought down the He 59 floatplane on 11 July, the British took notice of how German search and rescue aircraft tended to circle above British convoys for no apparent reason. Believing that these planes were either shadowing convoys or guiding bomber formations to the ships, the RAF issued the following communiqué;
GERMANY: Another Bf 109E from JG 2 was damaged, this time from the III Gruppe while trying to land at Rhein-Main airfield.
BBC Broadcast: 14 July 1940
Part of text of Charles Gardner's BBC Broadcast. Dover - July 14th 1940
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Lucky13
Forum Mascot
Most excellent stuff Chris!
Keep it coming!
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- #47
Njaco
The Pop-Tart Whisperer
15 JULY 1940 Monday
UNITED KINGDOM: Increasingly bad weather restricted air operations over the Channel and England as cloud cover was very low. Not the most ideal weather conditions for flying, and neither side saw, or undertook much activity. The Luftwaffe made a few reconnaissance missions over the North Sea and the English Channel. Very few raids were conducted with some occurring in the Cardiff, Swansea, Portsmouth and Southampton areas. Convoys on the south and east coast were also targets for the Luftwaffe bombers. The convoy "Pilot" was making its way through the Thames Estuary when spotted by a German reconnaissance aircraft and its position and course were radioed back to German HQ. By late-morning the weather had broken up enough for fifteen Do17 bombers of KG 2 to take off for an intended attack on the convoy. However, the attack was turned back by a force of Hurricanes, but which did not manage to score.
Further to the west a small force of Luftflotte 3 aircraft attacked. At 1130 hours a number of He 111 bombers were attacking industrial and dock areas along the Scottish coast. LG 1 bombed the Westland Aircraft works and the runway at Yeovil. St Athan R.A.F. Station was attacked and the airfield cratered. The railway lines near Avonmouth were also damaged. This raid dropped four unexploded bombs on St Athan. RAF No. 603 Sqd intercepted and avoided any major damage. A He 111 of 2./KG 26 was shot down at 1212 hours which crashed into the sea. The first raid on Brighton came on 15th July when Kemp Town was bombed, and was followed by several others that month, mainly over Whitehawk and Kemp Town.
In the afternoon at 1355 hours, a number of German bombers made an attack on the Naval Air Station at Yeovil in Somerset in the west of England. One of the runways received slight damage, as did one of the hangars and a number of craters appeared, but damage was kept to a minimum. RAF No. 213 Sqd (Hurricanes) intercepted and one Hurricane was shot down although the pilot baled out. Interception was also made by RAF No.92 Sqd (Spitfires) in which the Luftwaffe lost one Ju 88 from II./LG 1 and another damaged.
Through broken cloud and rain squalls the Dornier formation from KG 2 arrived over the convoy "Pilot" at 1413 hours but Fighter Command had 'seen' them coming and scrambled RAF No. 56 Sqd (Hurricanes) and RAF No. 151 Sqd (Hurricanes) to meet them before the Dorniers had time to attack the convoy. Although some German bombers attempted an attack, they were turned around without causing any damage. Once the attack was aborted, the Hurricanes returned to base. One Dornier was shot down.
Very slight activity was encountered during the night, the weather still being very bad. Despite the weather, the Luftwaffe conducted several small raids and minelaying operations over Liverpool Bay along with a few attacks in the Avonmouth area.
The scoreboard by the end of the day was four fighters lost by the RAF while the Luftwaffe lost three aircraft.
The SS 'Heworth' (2,855t) a steamer bound from London to Sunderland, was sunk by German aircraft near Aldeburgh Lightvessel.
GERMANY: The Stab and I Gruppe of JG 26 begin moving from Germany to France for the campaign against England. Not to be left out, the II Gruppe of JG 2 now contributed to aircraft damaged by the Geschwader when a Bf 109E from 4./JG 2 was damaged while landing at Husum.
UNITED KINGDOM: Increasingly bad weather restricted air operations over the Channel and England as cloud cover was very low. Not the most ideal weather conditions for flying, and neither side saw, or undertook much activity. The Luftwaffe made a few reconnaissance missions over the North Sea and the English Channel. Very few raids were conducted with some occurring in the Cardiff, Swansea, Portsmouth and Southampton areas. Convoys on the south and east coast were also targets for the Luftwaffe bombers. The convoy "Pilot" was making its way through the Thames Estuary when spotted by a German reconnaissance aircraft and its position and course were radioed back to German HQ. By late-morning the weather had broken up enough for fifteen Do17 bombers of KG 2 to take off for an intended attack on the convoy. However, the attack was turned back by a force of Hurricanes, but which did not manage to score.
Further to the west a small force of Luftflotte 3 aircraft attacked. At 1130 hours a number of He 111 bombers were attacking industrial and dock areas along the Scottish coast. LG 1 bombed the Westland Aircraft works and the runway at Yeovil. St Athan R.A.F. Station was attacked and the airfield cratered. The railway lines near Avonmouth were also damaged. This raid dropped four unexploded bombs on St Athan. RAF No. 603 Sqd intercepted and avoided any major damage. A He 111 of 2./KG 26 was shot down at 1212 hours which crashed into the sea. The first raid on Brighton came on 15th July when Kemp Town was bombed, and was followed by several others that month, mainly over Whitehawk and Kemp Town.
In the afternoon at 1355 hours, a number of German bombers made an attack on the Naval Air Station at Yeovil in Somerset in the west of England. One of the runways received slight damage, as did one of the hangars and a number of craters appeared, but damage was kept to a minimum. RAF No. 213 Sqd (Hurricanes) intercepted and one Hurricane was shot down although the pilot baled out. Interception was also made by RAF No.92 Sqd (Spitfires) in which the Luftwaffe lost one Ju 88 from II./LG 1 and another damaged.
Through broken cloud and rain squalls the Dornier formation from KG 2 arrived over the convoy "Pilot" at 1413 hours but Fighter Command had 'seen' them coming and scrambled RAF No. 56 Sqd (Hurricanes) and RAF No. 151 Sqd (Hurricanes) to meet them before the Dorniers had time to attack the convoy. Although some German bombers attempted an attack, they were turned around without causing any damage. Once the attack was aborted, the Hurricanes returned to base. One Dornier was shot down.
Very slight activity was encountered during the night, the weather still being very bad. Despite the weather, the Luftwaffe conducted several small raids and minelaying operations over Liverpool Bay along with a few attacks in the Avonmouth area.
The scoreboard by the end of the day was four fighters lost by the RAF while the Luftwaffe lost three aircraft.
The SS 'Heworth' (2,855t) a steamer bound from London to Sunderland, was sunk by German aircraft near Aldeburgh Lightvessel.
GERMANY: The Stab and I Gruppe of JG 26 begin moving from Germany to France for the campaign against England. Not to be left out, the II Gruppe of JG 2 now contributed to aircraft damaged by the Geschwader when a Bf 109E from 4./JG 2 was damaged while landing at Husum.
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Vic Balshaw
Major General
Brilliant thread Chris, well worth reading. Good one mate.
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- #49
Njaco
The Pop-Tart Whisperer
16 JULY 1940 Tuesday
UNITED KINGDOM: A quiet day little activity due to bad weather. Continuing Luftwaffe operations were according to the weather pattern, but a few were conducted. Throughout the morning small formations of German bombers were sent to the Bristol area. The responding RAF fighters failed to make contact and the bombers failed to find many of their targets. Again the east coast of Scotland came under attack and bombing occurred at Fraserburgh and Peterhead between the hours of 1300 and 1600. RAF No. 603 Sqd (Spitfires) intercepted and shot down a He 111 from III./KG 26 near Kinnaird's Head. Two survivors were seen to take to a rubber raft.
Late in the afternoon when clearing conditions prevailed, RAF No. 601 Sqd (Spitfires) intercepted a German formation at 1700 hours and a Ju 88 was shot down over the Isle of Wight. Only one crew member survived the crash into the Solent and was seen taking to a dingy.
Activity during the night remained very quiet. Dundee, Middlesborough, Hull and Grimsby were given red warnings. One raid was plotted over Duncansby Head and two in the Aberdeen area. There were no reports of any bombs having been dropped. Five or six raids were plotted between Newcastle and the Humber, some of which were minelaying, and a few crossed the coast. One of these, after cruising around for over an hour off the Humber, was first given as being friendly owing to its having fired the correct signal, but was later stated to be hostile, as it disappeared towards Germany.
The loss totals for the day were two fighters lost by the RAF while the Germans counted five aircraft as being lost. Thus ended the first week of the Battle. The RAF had performed reasonably well in combat against their adversary.
In addition to the weather problems and without any support from other fighting units on the coast, Hptm. Trautloft's III./JG 51 was down to fifteen serviceable aircraft, 40 % below establishment and seriously hampering his Geschwader's operations over the Channel. But relief was on the way as several Geschwaders were done with their rest period and were soon ordered to the Channel coast.
Whilst returning to Scapa Flow in thick fog, Destroyer HMS 'Imogen' collides with the cruiser HMS 'Glasgow' off Duncansby Head at 58 34N 02 54W. 'Imogen' catches fire and is abandoned.
RAF No. No 232 Hurricane Squadron was formed on this day.
GERMANY: A study prepared by Oberst "Beppo" Schmid, chief of intelligence of the Luftwaffe Operations Staff, determined that the RAF could reach strengths equal to those of the Luftwaffe by 1940. Therefore, the priorities established for the forced submission of England were the...
The casual approach to the war with Britain was certainly a reflection of the overconfidence resulting from the highly successful campaigns recently concluded in Poland, Norway and especially in France. All, however, were campaigns where the bomber forces functioned almost exclusively as extensions of the tactical air arm. But the near exclusive use of the bomber arm for tactical support of the Army inevitably led "to confusion and misconceptions as to the employment of the bomber which lasted throughout the war." And, in addition to the task of defeating the RAF, the German Combined Staffs issued a directive in July from Field Marshal Keitel stipulating...
UNITED KINGDOM: A quiet day little activity due to bad weather. Continuing Luftwaffe operations were according to the weather pattern, but a few were conducted. Throughout the morning small formations of German bombers were sent to the Bristol area. The responding RAF fighters failed to make contact and the bombers failed to find many of their targets. Again the east coast of Scotland came under attack and bombing occurred at Fraserburgh and Peterhead between the hours of 1300 and 1600. RAF No. 603 Sqd (Spitfires) intercepted and shot down a He 111 from III./KG 26 near Kinnaird's Head. Two survivors were seen to take to a rubber raft.
Late in the afternoon when clearing conditions prevailed, RAF No. 601 Sqd (Spitfires) intercepted a German formation at 1700 hours and a Ju 88 was shot down over the Isle of Wight. Only one crew member survived the crash into the Solent and was seen taking to a dingy.
Activity during the night remained very quiet. Dundee, Middlesborough, Hull and Grimsby were given red warnings. One raid was plotted over Duncansby Head and two in the Aberdeen area. There were no reports of any bombs having been dropped. Five or six raids were plotted between Newcastle and the Humber, some of which were minelaying, and a few crossed the coast. One of these, after cruising around for over an hour off the Humber, was first given as being friendly owing to its having fired the correct signal, but was later stated to be hostile, as it disappeared towards Germany.
The loss totals for the day were two fighters lost by the RAF while the Germans counted five aircraft as being lost. Thus ended the first week of the Battle. The RAF had performed reasonably well in combat against their adversary.
In addition to the weather problems and without any support from other fighting units on the coast, Hptm. Trautloft's III./JG 51 was down to fifteen serviceable aircraft, 40 % below establishment and seriously hampering his Geschwader's operations over the Channel. But relief was on the way as several Geschwaders were done with their rest period and were soon ordered to the Channel coast.
Whilst returning to Scapa Flow in thick fog, Destroyer HMS 'Imogen' collides with the cruiser HMS 'Glasgow' off Duncansby Head at 58 34N 02 54W. 'Imogen' catches fire and is abandoned.
RAF No. No 232 Hurricane Squadron was formed on this day.
GERMANY: A study prepared by Oberst "Beppo" Schmid, chief of intelligence of the Luftwaffe Operations Staff, determined that the RAF could reach strengths equal to those of the Luftwaffe by 1940. Therefore, the priorities established for the forced submission of England were the...
Subsequent actions could then be directed against port, shipping, and other industries, but strong air forces would still be required to accomplish this. Schmid stated after the war that he briefed the commanders that because of the...
The study of the air and industrial armaments capability of England and the RAF, "Studie Blau" (Case Blue), was completed and submitted to Hitler. The report advised Hitler to destroy England's ocean supply lines and her harbours but it neglected to take into account the British radar units. Obst. Schmid stated in the report;
Hptm. Adolf Galland commented on the strength of the British defenses lightly covered in Oberst Schmid's report;
After several considerations, including those offered in Oberst Schmid's report, Hitler signed Directive No. 16:
The casual approach to the war with Britain was certainly a reflection of the overconfidence resulting from the highly successful campaigns recently concluded in Poland, Norway and especially in France. All, however, were campaigns where the bomber forces functioned almost exclusively as extensions of the tactical air arm. But the near exclusive use of the bomber arm for tactical support of the Army inevitably led "to confusion and misconceptions as to the employment of the bomber which lasted throughout the war." And, in addition to the task of defeating the RAF, the German Combined Staffs issued a directive in July from Field Marshal Keitel stipulating...
Hitler's Directive identified the role of the Air Force in the invasion (code-named Seelowe or "Sea Lion") as prevention of "interference by hostile air forces." In addition, the Luftwaffe was to mount attacks against British strong points, especially those in the landing areas, against troop concentrations and reinforcements, as well as naval units operating in the area of operations. In essence then, the Luftwaffe would provide an "air umbrella" beneath which the invasion could take place. The Air Force Operations Staff (OKL) translated Hitler's guidance into two main aims, and these were subsequently issued to the Luftflotten. First, eliminate the RAF as a fighting force, including its ground organization. Second, cut external supplies by attacking ports and shipping.
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T Bolt
Colonel
Great work Chris! Keep em' coming 
- Thread starter
- #53
Njaco
The Pop-Tart Whisperer
17 JULY 1940 Wednesday
UNITED KINGDOM: The bad weather continued along with rain. The few raids that did occur were against shipping and convoys. Scotland's industrial east was bombed, as was the city of Bristol. Four Luftwaffe raids were plotted off the Scottish Coast and Orkneys. One crossed from Peterhead to the west Coast and dropped bombs at Ardeer ICI factory doing little damage. Of the remainder two carried out a reconnaissance of the Orkneys at 0721 hours and were intercepted by RAF fighters but without successful results.
At 1136 hours a Do 17 flew as far as Kenley but was then intercepted by fighters and chased out to sea, slightly damaged. Three German bombers raided Ashford and Lydd at 1515 hours and another three He 111s dropped their loads on the Mere Oil Fuel Depot at Portland around 1540 hours. Intercepted by British fighters, one He 111 was shot down along with a RAF fighter, a Spitfire. The Spitfire was shot down by Lt. Helmut Wick of 3./JG 2 for his fourteenth victory. At the same time a British ship was attacked thirteen miles from Dartmouth. Off the Isle of Wight a single Ju 88 came across two Hurricanes who then attacked the bomber. The twin-engined bomber escaped and the Hurricanes returned to base, damaged.
The blockade of Britain was now tightened, and following the closure of much of the East Coast to British shipping, aerial minelaying operations were extended to cover the important shipping lanes and harbour entrances on the western side of the country. In order to maintain the pressure on the defenses, and to interrupt vital war production, these missions were usually flown on nights when no harassing attacks were taking place, thereby extending the amount of time an area remained under Red Alert, and on occasions, as with the reconnaissance aircraft, small bombs were carried, these often being aimed at searchlights or anti-aircraft gun sites.
Losses; Luftwaffe 2 - Fighter Command 1
At 2232 hours nine raids, which first of all proceeded towards Cherbourg, having come over the coasts of Northern France, Belgium and Holland, turned northwards heading towards south-west England. Some of the raids crossed the coast covering the Bristol Channel area. At 0026 hours a further number of raids approached South West England, some again crossing to the Bristol Channel area. Bombs were dropped at Port Talbot, and near Swansea and near Radstock. Mine laying was in the Bristol Channel and off the Plymouth coast. Between 2200 and 0235 hours some nineteen raids were operating off the east coast, of which seven were minelaying including He 111s of I./KG 4, based in Holland, minelaying the Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary. None went further north than the Wash. A few crossed the coast and bombs were dropped at Queenborough near Rochester, Felixstowe, Harwich, Chatham, near Barking and at Gillingham. Not more than forty aircraft in all operated during the night.
UNITED KINGDOM: The bad weather continued along with rain. The few raids that did occur were against shipping and convoys. Scotland's industrial east was bombed, as was the city of Bristol. Four Luftwaffe raids were plotted off the Scottish Coast and Orkneys. One crossed from Peterhead to the west Coast and dropped bombs at Ardeer ICI factory doing little damage. Of the remainder two carried out a reconnaissance of the Orkneys at 0721 hours and were intercepted by RAF fighters but without successful results.
At 1136 hours a Do 17 flew as far as Kenley but was then intercepted by fighters and chased out to sea, slightly damaged. Three German bombers raided Ashford and Lydd at 1515 hours and another three He 111s dropped their loads on the Mere Oil Fuel Depot at Portland around 1540 hours. Intercepted by British fighters, one He 111 was shot down along with a RAF fighter, a Spitfire. The Spitfire was shot down by Lt. Helmut Wick of 3./JG 2 for his fourteenth victory. At the same time a British ship was attacked thirteen miles from Dartmouth. Off the Isle of Wight a single Ju 88 came across two Hurricanes who then attacked the bomber. The twin-engined bomber escaped and the Hurricanes returned to base, damaged.
The blockade of Britain was now tightened, and following the closure of much of the East Coast to British shipping, aerial minelaying operations were extended to cover the important shipping lanes and harbour entrances on the western side of the country. In order to maintain the pressure on the defenses, and to interrupt vital war production, these missions were usually flown on nights when no harassing attacks were taking place, thereby extending the amount of time an area remained under Red Alert, and on occasions, as with the reconnaissance aircraft, small bombs were carried, these often being aimed at searchlights or anti-aircraft gun sites.
Losses; Luftwaffe 2 - Fighter Command 1
At 2232 hours nine raids, which first of all proceeded towards Cherbourg, having come over the coasts of Northern France, Belgium and Holland, turned northwards heading towards south-west England. Some of the raids crossed the coast covering the Bristol Channel area. At 0026 hours a further number of raids approached South West England, some again crossing to the Bristol Channel area. Bombs were dropped at Port Talbot, and near Swansea and near Radstock. Mine laying was in the Bristol Channel and off the Plymouth coast. Between 2200 and 0235 hours some nineteen raids were operating off the east coast, of which seven were minelaying including He 111s of I./KG 4, based in Holland, minelaying the Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary. None went further north than the Wash. A few crossed the coast and bombs were dropped at Queenborough near Rochester, Felixstowe, Harwich, Chatham, near Barking and at Gillingham. Not more than forty aircraft in all operated during the night.
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Crimea_River
Marshal
Thanks for doing this Chris. Great work.
parsifal
Colonel
A fantastic effort Chris, and in my opinion very balanced and accurate
Well done so far
Well done so far
- Thread starter
- #57
Njaco
The Pop-Tart Whisperer
Thanks guys! I was worried that it might seem too Luftwaffe slanted as it started out some 10 years ago as a daily diary of the Luftwaffe during WWII. Trying to make it objective.
- Thread starter
- #58
Njaco
The Pop-Tart Whisperer
18 JULY 1940 Thursday
UNITED KINGDOM: Although heavy rain continued to fall, with improved flying conditions, a number of channel ports came under attack and things started to 'heat up' off the coast near Dover. Between 0740 and 0830 hours, 4 raids crossed the coast between Portland Bill and Bournemouth, penetrating inland to railway junctions at Castle Cary and Bruton (Somerset), Netheravon, Upavon, Abingdon and Upper Heyford. Two of these raids returned via Ventnor and Shoreham. No bombs were dropped.
At 0930 hours a formation of thirty Bf 109s of JG 51 assembled and headed out into the Channel to attack shipping near Deal. What could be described as a major dog-fight off the coast at Beachy Head, occurred when fifteen Spitfires of RAF No. 152 Sqd and RAF No. 610 Sqd made contact with the Bf 109s over the channel. The RAF lost 3 aircraft but failed to shoot down any of the Jagdflieger. RAF No. 152 Sqd had two aircraft damaged, but RAF No. 610 Sqd lost one Spitfire over Calais, shot down in the heavy clouds by Hptm. Tietzen of 5./JG 51 for his tenth kill. P/O P.Litchfield of RAF No. 610 Sqn in Spitfire P9452 was killed.
Early that afternoon the coastguard station at St Margaret's Bay was bombed and the Goodwin Lightship was sunk. 4 houses were destroyed during an afternoon attack on Gillingham. Twelve Hurricane's of RAF No 43 Sqn intercepted twenty-eight Ju 87's forming up to attack the radar station at Poling.
At 0942 hours a Heinkel 111 bombed Montrose Aerodrome, diving as low as 500 feet. Some aircraft received slight splinter damage and five casualties, two fatal, were suffered by RAF personnel. A single Ju 88 bombed Cardiff and Penarth at 1145 hours but was bounced by RAF fighters. Although slightly damaged, the medium bomber managed to escape over the southern coast.
At 1300 hours the Luftwaffe sent two formations of bombers off the Isle of Wight and Selsey Bill. The Selsey Bill formation lost a He 111 to fighters from RAF No. 145 Sqd while the Isle of Wight formation shot down two Spitfires from RAF No. 609 Sqd, one being credited to Oblt. Karl-Heinz Greisert of 2./JG 2. Another Spitfire from RAF No. 152 Sqd was also lost in combat. F/Lt Frank J Howell of RAF No. 609 Sqn in Spitfire R6634 was on patrol in near Poole in Dorset when at 15:15hrs he was in combat with a Ju 88, he baled out and was picked up by the Navy.
RAF No. 111 Squadron probably brought down one Henschel 126 over the Channel at about 1520 hours. Shipping reconnaissance took place off the East Coast and fifteen Luftwaffe aircraft were reported east of Bawdsey at about 1500 hours. There were unconfirmed reports of dive-bombing on trawlers.
In the course of the day, two Ju 88s , one Do 17, one He 111 and a Bf 109 were lost to the Germans while the British lost three fighters.
German activity at night began at about 2350 hours and was directed mainly North of a line Humber to Liverpool. Ten to twelve raids at least were in this area. Several crossed the coast proceeding westward and fading off the West coast. Minelaying was off Cumberland, Westmoreland and Lancashire as far south as Liverpool. Several of the raids were picked up by the British returning eastwards. Some raids did not cross the coast and minelaying was off the Yorkshire coast and Southwards.
RAF No. 266 Squadron Operational Record Book, 18 July:
WESTERN FRONT: At 1230 hours three Blenheims were shot down over the French coast north of Le Havre by fighters from JG 2 and JG 54. RAF No.235 Sqd and RAF No. 236 Sqd lost six aircrew between them when attacked by the Luftwaffe fighters. Getting credit for the kills were Hptm. Wolfgang Schellmann of Stab II./JG 2, Uffz. Willi Melchert of 5./JG 2 and Fw. Georg Kiening of 6./JG 54. The fighters of II / JG 2 lost a Bf 109 during the sortie. Later twenty-four British fighters escorted eighteen Blenheims on a raid on Boulogne between 1900 and 1912 hours. No Luftwaffe fighters intercepted the formation. C.R.D.Thomas and H.D.B.Esldon of RAF No. 236 Sqn in Blenheim L6779 were shot down and killed over Le Harve at 12:15hrs.
At the JG 26 airbase in France Hptm. Adolf Galland of III./JG 26 was promoted to Major.
GERMANY: The fighters of I./JG 52 led by Hptm. Siegfried von Eschwege flew their Bf 109Es from Zerbst to Neuruppin leaving Hptm. Von Houwald's III./JG 52 at the Zerbst airfield.
"Radio Caledonia" starts broadcasting to Britain, urging Scottish separatism.
UNITED KINGDOM: Although heavy rain continued to fall, with improved flying conditions, a number of channel ports came under attack and things started to 'heat up' off the coast near Dover. Between 0740 and 0830 hours, 4 raids crossed the coast between Portland Bill and Bournemouth, penetrating inland to railway junctions at Castle Cary and Bruton (Somerset), Netheravon, Upavon, Abingdon and Upper Heyford. Two of these raids returned via Ventnor and Shoreham. No bombs were dropped.
At 0930 hours a formation of thirty Bf 109s of JG 51 assembled and headed out into the Channel to attack shipping near Deal. What could be described as a major dog-fight off the coast at Beachy Head, occurred when fifteen Spitfires of RAF No. 152 Sqd and RAF No. 610 Sqd made contact with the Bf 109s over the channel. The RAF lost 3 aircraft but failed to shoot down any of the Jagdflieger. RAF No. 152 Sqd had two aircraft damaged, but RAF No. 610 Sqd lost one Spitfire over Calais, shot down in the heavy clouds by Hptm. Tietzen of 5./JG 51 for his tenth kill. P/O P.Litchfield of RAF No. 610 Sqn in Spitfire P9452 was killed.
Early that afternoon the coastguard station at St Margaret's Bay was bombed and the Goodwin Lightship was sunk. 4 houses were destroyed during an afternoon attack on Gillingham. Twelve Hurricane's of RAF No 43 Sqn intercepted twenty-eight Ju 87's forming up to attack the radar station at Poling.
At 0942 hours a Heinkel 111 bombed Montrose Aerodrome, diving as low as 500 feet. Some aircraft received slight splinter damage and five casualties, two fatal, were suffered by RAF personnel. A single Ju 88 bombed Cardiff and Penarth at 1145 hours but was bounced by RAF fighters. Although slightly damaged, the medium bomber managed to escape over the southern coast.
At 1300 hours the Luftwaffe sent two formations of bombers off the Isle of Wight and Selsey Bill. The Selsey Bill formation lost a He 111 to fighters from RAF No. 145 Sqd while the Isle of Wight formation shot down two Spitfires from RAF No. 609 Sqd, one being credited to Oblt. Karl-Heinz Greisert of 2./JG 2. Another Spitfire from RAF No. 152 Sqd was also lost in combat. F/Lt Frank J Howell of RAF No. 609 Sqn in Spitfire R6634 was on patrol in near Poole in Dorset when at 15:15hrs he was in combat with a Ju 88, he baled out and was picked up by the Navy.
RAF No. 111 Squadron probably brought down one Henschel 126 over the Channel at about 1520 hours. Shipping reconnaissance took place off the East Coast and fifteen Luftwaffe aircraft were reported east of Bawdsey at about 1500 hours. There were unconfirmed reports of dive-bombing on trawlers.
In the course of the day, two Ju 88s , one Do 17, one He 111 and a Bf 109 were lost to the Germans while the British lost three fighters.
German activity at night began at about 2350 hours and was directed mainly North of a line Humber to Liverpool. Ten to twelve raids at least were in this area. Several crossed the coast proceeding westward and fading off the West coast. Minelaying was off Cumberland, Westmoreland and Lancashire as far south as Liverpool. Several of the raids were picked up by the British returning eastwards. Some raids did not cross the coast and minelaying was off the Yorkshire coast and Southwards.
RAF No. 266 Squadron Operational Record Book, 18 July:
WESTERN FRONT: At 1230 hours three Blenheims were shot down over the French coast north of Le Havre by fighters from JG 2 and JG 54. RAF No.235 Sqd and RAF No. 236 Sqd lost six aircrew between them when attacked by the Luftwaffe fighters. Getting credit for the kills were Hptm. Wolfgang Schellmann of Stab II./JG 2, Uffz. Willi Melchert of 5./JG 2 and Fw. Georg Kiening of 6./JG 54. The fighters of II / JG 2 lost a Bf 109 during the sortie. Later twenty-four British fighters escorted eighteen Blenheims on a raid on Boulogne between 1900 and 1912 hours. No Luftwaffe fighters intercepted the formation. C.R.D.Thomas and H.D.B.Esldon of RAF No. 236 Sqn in Blenheim L6779 were shot down and killed over Le Harve at 12:15hrs.
At the JG 26 airbase in France Hptm. Adolf Galland of III./JG 26 was promoted to Major.
GERMANY: The fighters of I./JG 52 led by Hptm. Siegfried von Eschwege flew their Bf 109Es from Zerbst to Neuruppin leaving Hptm. Von Houwald's III./JG 52 at the Zerbst airfield.
"Radio Caledonia" starts broadcasting to Britain, urging Scottish separatism.
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T Bolt
Colonel
Great stuff Chris!
- Thread starter
- #60
Njaco
The Pop-Tart Whisperer
19 JULY 1940 Friday
DAY OF THE FIELD MARSHALL
GERMANY: In Berlin, Adolf Hitler made his "Last Appeal to Reason" speech, which, in part, stated;
UNITED KINGDOM: The 19th was a disastrous day for the RAF. The weather over the British Isles improved slightly and the Luftwaffe took advantage of this with an increase of raids. The airfield at Norwich was bombed at 0603 hours with a hangar destroyed. At 0730 hours a Do 17 that was conducting a reconnaissance over Croydon was shot down by a RAF Hurricane off Shoreham. The city of Glasgow in Scotland was the target of two Do 17s at 1030 hours in the morning. 42 people were injured. A raid attacked some naval units 40 miles off Clacton and several reconnaissances were reported.
The first major action of the day occurred off Dover. A formation of thirty Luftwaffe aircraft headed out from Cap Griz Nez and made for Dover. One squadron of Hurricanes (RAF No.111) and a second of Spitfires took off to intercept the flight. RAF No.141 Squadron (Defiants) - twelve of which had just recently arrived within 11 Group from Turnhouse and on this day had flown from West Malling to operate out of Hawkinge - took off on a routine flight at 1232 hours and were ordered to patrol a line just south of Folkestone at 5,000 feet. Three of the aircraft eventually aborted the patrol because of engine malfunctions. At 1300 hours, as the nine Defiants were patrolling in the middle of the English Channel, they were unaware of sixteen Bf 109s from III./JG 51 led by Hptm. Hannes Trautloft and II./JG 2 led by Hptm Wolfgang Schnellmann, flying "up sun" and were unexpectedly jumped on by the Bf 109s. Recognizing the rear turret fighters for what they were - Defiants had no forward armament, the Bf 109s attacked from below and astern. One by one the twin engined RAF fighters fell from the sky into the channel, being no match for the far superior Bf 109. Six Defiants were shot down in rapid succession, including four in less than a minute, before JG 51 was broken up by the Hurricanes of RAF No. 111 Squadron. Three Defiants just managed to make it back to Hawkinge, thanks to the intervention of RAF No. 111 Squadron while one Bf 109 was severely damaged and crashed on landing back at its base. Three Defiants were credited to Lt. Pichon-Kalau vom Hofe of the Stab flight of III./JG 51 for his first three kills. The fourth Defiant was given to Oblt. Walter Oesau of the 7th Staffel and another went to Hptm. Hannes Trautloft of the Stab flight of III./JG 51. Two other Bf 109s were shot down and anti-aircraft fire destroyed a Do 215. The Spitfire Squadron failed to make contact with the Germans.
A second engagement occurred at 1600 hours when thirty-six Luftwaffe bombers and fighters again headed for Dover. Two Squadrons of RAF Spitfires and one of RAF Hurricanes (RAF Nos. 64, 32 and 74 Sqdrns) were dispatched to intercept the formation. Clashing over Folkestone six Messerschmitts and one Ju 87 were shot down and three Messerschmitts of 9./JG 51 and III./JG 27 were badly damaged with two of the pilots seriously wounded. Two Spitfires of RAF No. 64 Squadron were shot down by Lt. Hans Kolbow of III./JG 51 and Oblt. Arnold Lignitz of 3./JG 51. Oblt. Walter Oesau of 7./JG 51 claimed his second victim of the day – a Hurricane – while another Hurricane of RAF No. 32 Squadron fell to Uffz. Leander Mayer of III./JG 51. F/Sgt G.Turner of RAF No. 32 Sqn in Hurricane P3144 was in combat with a Bf 109 over Dover at 16:25hrs. He baled out but was badly burned. The aircraft crashed at Hougham.
Earlier at 1431 hours, twelve Bf 109s engaged RAF Hurricanes off Selsey Bill and shot down one Hurricane for a loss of one Bf 109. Another RAF Hurricane was shot down in flames at 1735 hours over West Grinstead. F/Lt J.W.C.Simpson from RAF No. 43 Sqn in Hurricane P3140 was on patrol when was shot down by a Bf 109 of JG 27. He baled out near Selsey at 17:15hrs slightly wounded. J.A.Buck from RAF No. 43 Sqn in Hurricane P3531 was shot down by a Bf 109 he baled out wounded, but drowned near Selsey .At 1803 hours a lone Heinkel He 111 was destroyed off Shoreham. In addition one section of Spitfires shot down 2 Luftwaffe seaplanes (unconfirmed) near Calais. One Hurricane crashed (pilot safe). D.O.M.Browne from RAF No. 1 Sqn in Hurricane P3471 was on patrol when his aircraft was set on fire in an attack on a He 111. He crash landed at 18:15hrs but was unhurt.
The increase in operations continued into the night. Bombers from KG 55 raided Southampton. One He 111 from 7 Staffel was shot down by fighters of RAF No. 145 Squadron and crashed into the sea off Sussex. Minelaying was conducted between 2330 and 0230 hours over the Thames Estuary, the Hull area, Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde. The RAF airfield at Manston was also attacked. Shortly after midnight a RAF Blenheim on patrol encountered a Luftwaffe seaplane and shot it down in flames near Harwich.
Losses: Luftwaffe 16 - Fighter Command 10
The first prototype cavity magnetron is delivered to TRE -- the British radar research centre -- near Swanage, on the south-west coast.
WESTERN FRONT: The Ju 88 crews of III./LG 1 received a new Gruppenkommandeur when Hptm. Karl-Friedrich Knust was appointed in place of Major Dr. Ernst Bormann. The Gruppe was based at Lille.
DAY OF THE FIELD MARSHALL
GERMANY: In Berlin, Adolf Hitler made his "Last Appeal to Reason" speech, which, in part, stated;
He remarked that...
Later he gave promotions to several important Luftwaffe figures, most importantly Hermann Göring was promoted to Reichsmarschall of the Luftwaffe. General der Flieger Hugo Sperrle of Luftflotte 3, the General-Inspector of the Luftwaffe Erhard Milch, and Albert Kesselring of Luftflotte 2 were promoted to Generalfeldmarschall while Generalinspekteur der Jagdflieger General der Flieger Ernst Udet, General der Flieger Hans-Jurgen Stumpf of Luftflotte 5 and General der Flieger Alfred Keller of Fliegerkorps IV were promoted to Generaloberst. Generalleutnant Robert Ritter von Greim of Fliegerkorps V, Chief Of The General Staff Generalmajor Hans Jeschonnek, Generalleutnant Bruno Loerzer of Fliegerkorps II, Generalleutnant Hans Geisler of Fliegerkorps X and Generalmajor Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen of Fliegerkorps VIII were promoted to General der Flieger. Chief Of The General Staff of Luftflotte 3 Oberst Gunther Korten and Chief of the Luftwaffe-Operations General-Staff Oberst Otto Hoffmann von Waldau were promoted to Generalmajor. Among the Jagdgeschwaders, Hptm. Werner Mölders, Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG 53 was promoted to Major and Hptm. Rolf Pingel was made acting Gruppenkommandeur of the unit. The Geschwaderkommodore of JG 51, Oberst Theo Osterkamp was promoted to Generalmajor.
UNITED KINGDOM: The 19th was a disastrous day for the RAF. The weather over the British Isles improved slightly and the Luftwaffe took advantage of this with an increase of raids. The airfield at Norwich was bombed at 0603 hours with a hangar destroyed. At 0730 hours a Do 17 that was conducting a reconnaissance over Croydon was shot down by a RAF Hurricane off Shoreham. The city of Glasgow in Scotland was the target of two Do 17s at 1030 hours in the morning. 42 people were injured. A raid attacked some naval units 40 miles off Clacton and several reconnaissances were reported.
The first major action of the day occurred off Dover. A formation of thirty Luftwaffe aircraft headed out from Cap Griz Nez and made for Dover. One squadron of Hurricanes (RAF No.111) and a second of Spitfires took off to intercept the flight. RAF No.141 Squadron (Defiants) - twelve of which had just recently arrived within 11 Group from Turnhouse and on this day had flown from West Malling to operate out of Hawkinge - took off on a routine flight at 1232 hours and were ordered to patrol a line just south of Folkestone at 5,000 feet. Three of the aircraft eventually aborted the patrol because of engine malfunctions. At 1300 hours, as the nine Defiants were patrolling in the middle of the English Channel, they were unaware of sixteen Bf 109s from III./JG 51 led by Hptm. Hannes Trautloft and II./JG 2 led by Hptm Wolfgang Schnellmann, flying "up sun" and were unexpectedly jumped on by the Bf 109s. Recognizing the rear turret fighters for what they were - Defiants had no forward armament, the Bf 109s attacked from below and astern. One by one the twin engined RAF fighters fell from the sky into the channel, being no match for the far superior Bf 109. Six Defiants were shot down in rapid succession, including four in less than a minute, before JG 51 was broken up by the Hurricanes of RAF No. 111 Squadron. Three Defiants just managed to make it back to Hawkinge, thanks to the intervention of RAF No. 111 Squadron while one Bf 109 was severely damaged and crashed on landing back at its base. Three Defiants were credited to Lt. Pichon-Kalau vom Hofe of the Stab flight of III./JG 51 for his first three kills. The fourth Defiant was given to Oblt. Walter Oesau of the 7th Staffel and another went to Hptm. Hannes Trautloft of the Stab flight of III./JG 51. Two other Bf 109s were shot down and anti-aircraft fire destroyed a Do 215. The Spitfire Squadron failed to make contact with the Germans.
A second engagement occurred at 1600 hours when thirty-six Luftwaffe bombers and fighters again headed for Dover. Two Squadrons of RAF Spitfires and one of RAF Hurricanes (RAF Nos. 64, 32 and 74 Sqdrns) were dispatched to intercept the formation. Clashing over Folkestone six Messerschmitts and one Ju 87 were shot down and three Messerschmitts of 9./JG 51 and III./JG 27 were badly damaged with two of the pilots seriously wounded. Two Spitfires of RAF No. 64 Squadron were shot down by Lt. Hans Kolbow of III./JG 51 and Oblt. Arnold Lignitz of 3./JG 51. Oblt. Walter Oesau of 7./JG 51 claimed his second victim of the day – a Hurricane – while another Hurricane of RAF No. 32 Squadron fell to Uffz. Leander Mayer of III./JG 51. F/Sgt G.Turner of RAF No. 32 Sqn in Hurricane P3144 was in combat with a Bf 109 over Dover at 16:25hrs. He baled out but was badly burned. The aircraft crashed at Hougham.
Earlier at 1431 hours, twelve Bf 109s engaged RAF Hurricanes off Selsey Bill and shot down one Hurricane for a loss of one Bf 109. Another RAF Hurricane was shot down in flames at 1735 hours over West Grinstead. F/Lt J.W.C.Simpson from RAF No. 43 Sqn in Hurricane P3140 was on patrol when was shot down by a Bf 109 of JG 27. He baled out near Selsey at 17:15hrs slightly wounded. J.A.Buck from RAF No. 43 Sqn in Hurricane P3531 was shot down by a Bf 109 he baled out wounded, but drowned near Selsey .At 1803 hours a lone Heinkel He 111 was destroyed off Shoreham. In addition one section of Spitfires shot down 2 Luftwaffe seaplanes (unconfirmed) near Calais. One Hurricane crashed (pilot safe). D.O.M.Browne from RAF No. 1 Sqn in Hurricane P3471 was on patrol when his aircraft was set on fire in an attack on a He 111. He crash landed at 18:15hrs but was unhurt.
The increase in operations continued into the night. Bombers from KG 55 raided Southampton. One He 111 from 7 Staffel was shot down by fighters of RAF No. 145 Squadron and crashed into the sea off Sussex. Minelaying was conducted between 2330 and 0230 hours over the Thames Estuary, the Hull area, Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde. The RAF airfield at Manston was also attacked. Shortly after midnight a RAF Blenheim on patrol encountered a Luftwaffe seaplane and shot it down in flames near Harwich.
Losses: Luftwaffe 16 - Fighter Command 10
The first prototype cavity magnetron is delivered to TRE -- the British radar research centre -- near Swanage, on the south-west coast.
WESTERN FRONT: The Ju 88 crews of III./LG 1 received a new Gruppenkommandeur when Hptm. Karl-Friedrich Knust was appointed in place of Major Dr. Ernst Bormann. The Gruppe was based at Lille.
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