One major fighter sweep towards London, otherwise reconnaissance only.

Night: Raids concentrated on London.

Weather: Fair with bright periods, showery.

Enemy Action by Day

The early morning hours were quiet, with radar screens showing little enemy activity. However, by 10:30 hours, radar stations along the Channel began plotting formations approaching from Calais. At approximately 11:00 hours, the Luftwaffe launched its first major fighter-bomber (Jabo) attack, using Messerschmitt Bf 109s of II./LG 2 flying at 15,000 feet. These aircraft, each carrying bombs beneath their fuselages, crossed the coast near Dungeness. They were joined by larger formations of Bf 109s from various Jagdgruppen, including JG 26 and JG 51, crossing farther east around Dover and Deal.

One element held back and approached via the Thames Estuary, appearing on radar at Foreness. This formation included additional Bf 109s and Ju 88s flying at varying altitudes. For the first time, large-scale fighter sweeps were being used for bombing missions, bypassing conventional escorted bomber tactics.

RAF Response and Air Combat Over Kent

Fighter Command responded rapidly, scrambling at least fifteen squadrons, including Nos. 41, 72, 92, 222, 253, and 605 Squadrons. Initially, some squadrons were recalled when it appeared that the incoming force consisted only of fighters, but these orders were soon countermanded when it became clear that the Bf 109s were carrying bombs. In total, twenty RAF squadrons were vectored into the combat area, with four more already on patrol.

The Luftwaffe formations converged over East London, with aircraft reaching Biggin Hill, Kenley, Hornchurch, and the Inner Thames Estuary. Bombs were dropped across a wide swath of the capital. Fires were reported from Dock Head to London Bridge, notably at Kitchen’s Wharf and surrounding dockside structures.

Air combat was fierce over Kent and the Thames Estuary. At 11:15 hours, Pilot Officer H. L. Whitbread of No. 222 Squadron was shot down and killed near Rochester. His attacker was Major Adolf Galland, Kommodore of JG 26, scoring his 36th victory. Shortly after, B Flight of No. 222 Squadron was bounced again, likely by II./JG 2, resulting in the loss of two more Spitfires over the Estuary.

At around 11:30 hours, No. 253 Squadron suffered the loss of three Hurricanes between Ashford and Maidstone. Two of these were credited to Hauptmann Johannes Seifert of 3./JG 26. All three RAF pilots survived, including Pilot Officer A. R. H. Barton and Sergeant A. R. Innes. Pilot Officer W. J. Glowacki of No. 605 Squadron was also attacked but managed to return safely.

Meanwhile, No. 92 Squadron was heavily engaged over Dungeness and Dover. Two of its pilots were lost—one Spitfire crashing near West Hougham, the other into the Channel. Both were claimed by Major Werner Mölders of JG 51, who achieved his 40th victory and was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross upon return.

By 11:35 hours, the Luftwaffe formations began to withdraw. In total, eight RAF fighters were lost, with five pilots killed or missing. Luftwaffe losses included four aircraft.

German Tactical Shift and the Jabo Directive

The apparent success of the Jabo raid led to an immediate directive from Göring to increase the conversion of Bf 109s into fighter-bombers. Within days, a third of the aircraft in each Jagdgeschwader operating over Britain were converted for bombing. Galland protested the decision, likening it to wielding a sword by its hilt, while General Osterkamp also raised concerns. Despite these objections, Berlin remained convinced that British morale was near breaking point.

Reconnaissance and Minor Activity Elsewhere

Outside of the main raid, Luftwaffe reconnaissance missions were active along the coasts. Between 06:00 and 10:30 hours, single aircraft operated around the Thames Estuary, Dover, North Foreland, and westward to Beachy Head. A reconnaissance aircraft reported on a convoy off East Anglia at 16:00 hours. Sporadic activity continued into the afternoon, with a few incursions inland from the coast.

One enemy aircraft was plotted off the Aberdeenshire coast, but it did not result in any engagement. Three small raids were plotted off Anglesey late in the day, though none approached Liverpool. Throughout the day, observation balloons were reported over German long-range gun positions on the French coast.

Enemy Action by Night

At 19:50 hours, London received a red warning as single aircraft crossed from Le Havre and entered between Beachy Head and Selsey Bill. From 21:00 to 23:00 hours, further raids entered over Shoreham, Dungeness, and the Thames Estuary. Fires were started in Southwark, Camberwell, Lambeth, and Bermondsey, where infrastructure damage was extensive and included railway lines, wharves, and gas and water mains. A land mine exploded in Waterloo Square, causing mass casualties and structural damage to a block of flats.

The attack tapered off around midnight, and London was given the all-clear at 00:14 hours. However, another wave began at 01:00 hours, entering via Beachy Head and Dungeness, prompting another red warning at 01:19 hours.

Elsewhere, minelaying activity was suspected off the northeast coast from St. Abb’s Head to Cromer. A handful of bombs were dropped at RAF stations, including Biggin Hill and Kirton, but damage was minimal. In Hastings, an unexploded bomb disrupted the railway line to Rye, while in Brighton, eleven were killed by bombing near the Lewes Road viaduct.

Summary and Losses

The 20th of September marked a significant tactical shift with the introduction of the Jabo raid. Although Luftwaffe losses were moderate—eight aircraft—the RAF suffered more heavily, losing eight fighters and five experienced pilots. The successful delivery of bombs by fighter-bombers into London, combined with widespread fires and infrastructure damage during the night, marked the day as a turning point in Luftwaffe strategy. The psychological and material toll on the capital was increasing, but the resolve of Fighter Command and the civilian population remained unbroken.

German Losses:
Airmen: 9 | Aircraft: 8

British Losses:
Airmen: 5 | Aircraft: 8

Spitfire X4410, No. 72 Squadron
P/O D.F. Holland killed. Baled out after being shot down by Bf 109s. Died on admission to hospital.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/HollandDF.htm

Spitfire N3203, No. 222 Squadron
P/O H.L. Whitbread killed. Shot down by Bf1 09s and crashed at Pond Cottage. Thrown clear but already dead.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Whitbread.htm

Hurricane L1595, No. 56 Squadron
Sgt C.V. Meeson killed. Crashed during formation flying practice.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Meeson.htm

Spitfire X4417, No. 92 Squadron
P/O H.P. Hill killed. Shot down by Major Mölders in Bf 109 and burst into flames on crashing.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/HillHP.htm

Spitfire N3248, No. 92 Squadron
Sgt P.R. Eyles. Posted as missing. Crashed into the Channel after being shot down by Major Mölders.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Eyles.htm

Photo Descriptions

  1. Devastation was left behind after a Junkers Ju 88A-1 (W.Nr. 4148, B3+HM) of 4./KG 54 crashed into a pair of houses in Merton, south London, on the night of 19/20 September 1940. In the picture, salvage workers pick amongst the ruins, but all that seems to be left of the twin-engine bomber is a ball of mangled air-frame wreckage that can be seen on the rubble in the top left of the photograph. One civilian, 25-year-old Mary Butcher, died from injuries caused by the crash and three of the plane’s four crew were also killed, whilst the fourth bailed out and was taken captive.
  2. Three anti-aircraft guns flash in the dark in London on 20 September 1940, firing shells at raiding German bombers. Shells in stacked rows behind the guns leap about as the concussions from the firing loosen them.