Attacks on convoy off Norfolk-Suffolk coast, shipping off the Isle of Wight and Aberdeen.

Night: South Wales and Bristol areas.

Weather: Mainly cloudy with early-morning fog in the Channel. Thunderstorms in many districts.

Main Activity:

At 0800 hours, a sizable enemy formation consisting of Heinkel He 111s from III/KG 53 and Dornier Do 17s from II/KG 2 was detected advancing toward the convoy codenamed BOOTY, positioned off the Suffolk coast. Six Hurricanes from No. 17 Squadron, already airborne from Martlesham Heath to patrol over the convoy, were redirected to intercept the approaching raid. They were soon joined by seventeen Hurricanes from Nos. 85, 242, and 151 Squadrons, along with six Defiants from No. 264 Squadron. In the fierce engagement that followed, RAF fighters succeeded in downing five German bombers, though two Hurricanes were lost in the action.

Later that day, at 1245 hours, He 111 bombers from KG 26 launched a devastating attack on a shipyard in Aberdeen. The bombing resulted in tragic civilian casualties, with 29 people killed and 100 injured. Three Spitfires from No. 603 Squadron were scrambled from Dyce to intercept the attackers. During the confrontation, one of the bombers was shot down, crashing into the recently constructed Aberdeen Ice Rink and causing further destruction.

German Losses
Airmen: 28 | Aircraft: 9

British Losses
Airmen: 4 | Aircraft: 5

Hurricane P2557, No. 85 Squadron. Lost at sea.
Sgt L. Jowitt missing, believed drowned. Hit by gunfire from He 111 from II/KG 53 off Felixstowe.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Jowitt.htm

Hurricane P3275, No. 151 Squadron. Lost at sea.
F/O J.H.L. Allen missing, believed drowned. Hit in engine by gunfire from Do 17 off Orfordness.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/AllenJHL.htm

Hurricane P3084, No. 501 Squadron. Lost at sea.
P/O D.A. Hewitt missing, believed drowned. Hit by gunfire while attacking Do 17 off Portland.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/HewittDA.htm

Spitfire P9502, No. 610 Squadron. Aircraft destroyed.
Sgt S. Ireland killed. Lost control of aircraft during diving practice.

Photo Descriptions:

  1. Hawker Hurricanes of No. 17 Squadron on the ground at Debden, while another comes in to land, July 1940. © IWM (HU 54414)
  2. Pilots of No. 85 Squadron run to their Hurricanes at the satellite landing ground at Castle Camps, July 1940. In the foreground is P2923 VY-R, flown by Plt Off Albert G Lewis. © IWM (HU 104483)
  3. Pilot Officer Albert G Lewis of No. 85 Squadron grabs his flying helmet from the tailplane of his Hurricane, P2923 VY-R, as a member of the ground crew warms up the engine prior to a sortie, Castle Camps, July 1940. © IWM (HU 104484)
  4. Ground staff warm up a Hurricane of No. 85 Squadron at Castle Camps, July 1940. © IWM (HU 104485)
  5. A German Heinkel He 111 P bomber of the Stab/KG 55 which crash-landed at Hipley in Hampshire on 12 July 1940. It was shot down by Hurricanes of ‘B’ Flight, No. 43 Squadron over Southampton Water. © IWM (HU 90819)
  6. RAF personnel inspecting Heinkel He 111P (coded G1+FA) of Stab/KG 55 which was brought down at Hipley in Hampshire, 12 July 1940. It has been camouflaged to prevent the Luftwaffe attempting to destroy the remains. The bomber was shot down by ‘B’ Flight of No. 43 Squadron over Southampton Water. © IWM (HU 72438)
  7. Civilians and RAF airmen inspect the burning remains of a Heinkel He 111 which was shot down by Spitfires of No. 603 Squadron over Aberdeen, Scotland and crashed into the newly-built Ice Rink on Anderson Drive. © IWM (HU 71114)