| Day: All three Luftflotten were in action in a maximum
effort against airfields, radar stations and factories, including a heavy
attack by seventy two He111's of
KG 26 and twenty one Bf 110's of
ZG 76 (Luftflotte 5) on the Newcastle area. They were intercepted by No
72 Squadron from Aklington. RAF Driffield was bombed and 10 Whitley
bombers were destroyed on ground. Other attacks left Dishforth, Linton-on-Ouse
and Usworth undamaged. Bridlington ammunition dump was blown up. In the
South, factories at Rochester (Short Brothers and Pobjoy) and Croydon (Rollason
and Redwing) were severely damaged. Hawkinge and Lympne airfields were
badly damaged, the latter put out of action for about 48 hours. Other airfield
targets include Manston, Martlesham Heath, Middle Wallop and West Malling.
Croydon town was bombed in the first attack on London. Raids on Eastchurch
spread into Kent, Surrey, Hampshire, Wiltshire, and the Isle of Wight,
engaging 11 Group Fighter Command Squadrons. Today saw the most widespread
activity of the battle.
There were 1,786 German sorties in 24 hours. Fighter Command flew 974 sorties Night: Widespread night raiding across entire central England from Swansea to the Wash. Comment: This day is a
turning point. German losses convince the Luftwaffe that air superiority
is essential before all-out bombing can be successful. It also marks the
virtual end of Luftflotte 5's offensive usefulness, so sparing the North
such heavy attacks in future. It also marks the beginning of the end of
the Ju 87's usefulness as a dive bomber and that of the Bf 110 as an escort
fighter.
Weather: Fine and warm anticyclonic weather. |