Shipping off the south coast attacked.
Night: Minelaying in Thames Estuary and off the Norfolk coast. Bristol area.
Weather: Heavy cloud with rain and poor visibility.
Enemy Action by Day
Heavy cloud, persistent rain, and low visibility over much of Britain significantly curtailed flying operations on 26 July 1940. Nevertheless, the Luftwaffe maintained a persistent—if limited—presence across southern and coastal regions, primarily targeting Channel shipping and conducting scattered inland raids. Most formations turned back when intercepted by RAF fighters, and those that pressed on achieved only minor results.
Despite the reduced scale of operations, a significant number of enemy aircraft were plotted during the day, including formations of up to fifty aircraft. These often broke away 10–20 miles from the coast—a sign of tentative German pressure amid worsening weather.
Reconnaissance and Early Inland Raids
In the early morning, a single German aircraft crossed the coast at Beachy Head at 06:03 hours, flying an inland circuit via Uckfield, Maidstone, Crowborough, Lingfield, Sevenoaks, East Grinstead, and back out over Hastings toward Abbeville. Bombs were dropped over Mayfield and Hastings, causing minor damage. Home Security reported that five houses were demolished in Hastings, and gas, water, and electrical services were disrupted. Some bombs were of the ‘whistling’ type, intended to have a psychological effect. Casualties were reported to be light. RAF fighters failed to intercept the raider.
Elsewhere, a meteorological flight was observed off the Orkneys, and a separate inland raid crossed to Glasgow, where bombs fell near Kilmarnock. No serious damage was recorded in either case.
South Coast Interceptions – Swanage, Isle of Wight, and Portland
At around 09:00 hours, three separate raids—totalling at least twenty-one aircraft—approached the coast near Swanage. In each case, the formations turned away as RAF fighters were scrambled, remaining no closer than ten miles from the coastline.
At 09:45 hours, Hurricanes of No. 601 Squadron engaged a formation of Bf 109s over the Isle of Wight. In the ensuing combat, Pilot Officer P. Challoner-Lindsey was killed when his Hurricane was shot down and crashed into the sea. Flying Officer J.H. Riddle’s aircraft sustained damage but returned safely to base. Despite the loss, No. 601 Squadron claimed two German aircraft destroyed in the action.
Later in the morning, approximately twenty enemy aircraft approached the Portland area. Again, most turned back before reaching their targets as RAF fighters closed in. However, Hurricanes of No. 238 Squadron engaged Bf 109s from JG 27 south of Portland. Flight Lieutenant S.C. Walch shot down a Bf 109 of 2./JG 27, piloted by Feldwebel Günther Böer, who was posted missing.
Afternoon Raids and Expanded Formations
At 15:30 hours, eight separate raids—comprising approximately fifty aircraft—formed over the Bay of the Seine and advanced towards the Isle of Wight. Three RAF squadrons were dispatched to patrol at altitudes between 10,000 and 20,000 feet. Their presence forced the German formation to split and withdraw before reaching the coast. A splinter formation crossed north of Dungeness, where No. 65 Squadron intercepted and shot down a Bf 109 off Dover.
At 18:48 hours, another large Luftwaffe formation assembled over Cherbourg. The force, estimated at twenty-four or more aircraft flying in layered formation at approximately 16,000 feet, advanced towards Portland in a ten-mile-wide front. On nearing the coast, the formation broke apart and returned directly to France without engaging. During this period, three steamers were reported sunk in the Channel. The motor lifeboats Rosa Woodd and Phyllis Lunn were launched to assist survivors, though no direct link between the aerial formations and these losses was confirmed.
Western Approaches and RAF Patrols
In the late afternoon, two unidentified raids were plotted off the Pembroke coast. At 17:00 hours, No. 92 Squadron, on patrol in the area, engaged one of the raiders and claimed a Ju 88 destroyed, though this was unconfirmed. Additional sightings were reported, but poor weather hampered interception efforts.
Luftwaffe Coastal Activity from France
Throughout the day, German aircraft conducted reconnaissance patrols along the French coast. As conditions worsened, few ventured far out to sea, and many inland-bound raids either aborted before reaching the English coastline or were diverted upon detection by RDF and Fighter Command patrols.
Enemy Action by Night
Nightfall brought a marked increase in Luftwaffe activity.
At 21:28 hours, a single enemy aircraft crossed the coast from south of Dunkirk to North Foreland, then continued over Shoeburyness, Kent, and Hornchurch, reaching within eight miles of North Weald. It later crashed into the sea off Brightlingsea after reportedly dropping bombs over Kent and Essex. The cause of the crash remains uncertain.
At 22:05 hours, another solitary aircraft was tracked flying at 10,000 feet, about fifty miles east-north-east of Happisburgh. This raid did not cross the coast and may have been a meteorological flight or an attempted interception of outbound RAF bombers.
A separate raid, involving two or more aircraft, patrolled between North Foreland and Rye, although no convoys were operating in the vicinity.
Between 22:30 and 01:00 hours, multiple raids crossed the southern coast, particularly near Portland, with tracks extending north-north-east towards the Bristol area. Bombs were reported across a wide area, but no serious damage was recorded. Ten enemy tracks were plotted in the Thames Estuary between Deal and Harwich, most consistent with minelaying operations.
Further minelaying activity was suspected near the Tyne, where three aircraft operated close to two coastal convoys. Seven raids were plotted near Aberdeen; several flew over nearby convoys, and some were believed to be laying mines. Bombs were dropped on Dyce aerodrome at 00:30 hours, but no damage was reported. Additional activity occurred at Rosehearty and south of Fraserburgh, while Peterhead was reportedly machine-gunned by low-flying aircraft. Other enemy tracks between the Humber and Whitby may also have been engaged in minelaying.
Strategic and Operational Developments
No. 1 (RCAF) Squadron arrived in Britain equipped with Canadian-built Hurricanes, marking an important expansion of Commonwealth participation in the air campaign. The unit replaced No. 43 Squadron at Tangmere.
Meanwhile, the Admiralty issued an order prohibiting the daylight passage of ships off Dover due to the increasing threat from enemy aircraft. Air Intelligence reported that RAF night bombing raids on Germany were causing notable concern within the German High Command. Reports from German sources confirmed that delayed-action bombs were creating prolonged disruption, even when primary targets were not destroyed.
German Losses:
Airmen: 9 | Aircraft: 5
British Losses:
Airmen: 1 | Aircraft: 1
Hurricane P2753, No. 601 Squadron. Aircraft lost.
P/O P. Challoner-Lindsey. Posted missing. Shot down by Bf 109 over Channel and crashed into sea.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Lindsey.htm
Photo Description
- Refuelling and rearming Hawker Hurricanes of No. 601 Squadron at RAF Tangmere, 1940.