Heavy attacks on London and Bristol.

Night: Further raids on London, Merseyside and the Midlands.

Weather: Fair in the extreme south and south-west. Cloudy in the Channel with light rain over southern England.

Enemy Action by Day

The 27th of September marked one of the heaviest and most disastrous days of the campaign for the Luftwaffe. Large-scale operations were mounted by Luftflotte 2 against London and the South-East, supported by diversionary strikes against Bristol. A total of four major raids unfolded throughout the day, testing the limits of Fighter Command’s endurance. While the Luftwaffe suffered catastrophic losses — more than fifty aircraft destroyed, including some of its most experienced Zerstörer commanders — the RAF also paid heavily, losing nearly thirty fighters and many pilots. The day also witnessed the extraordinary “Battle of Graveney Marsh,” the last recorded armed engagement fought on English soil.

08:50 Hours: Morning Feint

At approximately 08:50 hours, a diversionary sweep by ten Bf 110s of V.(Z)./LG 1 crossed the coast as a feint intended to draw RAF fighters away from the main bomber formations assembling over France. One aircraft aborted on take-off, leaving nine to continue the operation. The raid elicited an immediate response from Fighter Command, and heavy fighting developed over Redhill, Oxted, Gatwick, Ashdown Forest, and the Sussex countryside, involving Nos. 1 (RCAF), 17, 46, 92, 213, 249, 253, 303, 501, 602, and 605 Squadrons.

At 09:40 hours, a Bf 110D (W.Nr. 3333, L1+BH) of 13./LG 1 was shot down by Sergeant E. W. Wright of No. 605 Squadron during combat over Redhill and crashed into the sea off Folkestone. Gefr. H. Swietlik was reported missing and presumed killed, while Gefr. H. Welz was killed outright; his body later washed ashore near Princes Golf Club, Sandwich, on 25 October 1940 and was subsequently buried at Margate.

Around the same time, a Bf 110D/0 (W.Nr. 3304, L1+CH) of 13./LG 1 was brought down over Redhill by Squadron Leader E. A. McNab and Flying Officer B. D. Russell of No. 1 (RCAF) Squadron, Pilot Officer C. F. Currant of No. 605 Squadron, and Flight Lieutenants J. M. Strickland and J. E. J. Sing of No. 213 Squadron. The aircraft crashed at The Gale, Chelwood Gate, in Ashdown Forest, killing Fw. A. Bruns and Gefr. F. Gröbl.

At 09:45 hours, a Bf 110C-2 (W.Nr. 3533, L1+LL) of 15./LG 1 was shot down over Redhill by Sergeant G. A. Steward of No. 17 Squadron; Pilot Officer A. E. Johnson and Sergeant R. F. Sellers of No. 46 Squadron; Flying Officer J. F. Drummond of No. 92 Squadron; Pilot Officers K. T. Lofts and J. R. B. Meaker, together with Sergeant H. J. Davidson of No. 249 Squadron; and Sergeant J. Budzinski of No. 605 Squadron. The aircraft crashed at Socketts Manor, Oxted, where Oberlt. O. Weckeiser and Gefr. H. Brusgow were captured.

Five minutes later, a Bf 110C-2 (W.Nr. 3548, L1+CK) of 14./LG 1 was destroyed by Flying Officer A. F. Eckford of No. 253 Squadron and Pilot Officer A. G. Lewis of No. 249 Squadron before crashing at Coppice Farm, Three Cups, near Dallington, Heathfield. Obergefr. A. Hübner and Fw. F. Lindemann were both killed.

Another Bf 110C-2 (W.Nr. 3849, L1+GL) of 15./LG 1 was shot down near Horam Manor Farm following attacks by Pilot Officer D. C. Leary of No. 17 Squadron, Flying Officer W. Urbanowicz of No. 303 Squadron, Squadron Leader H. A. V. Hogan of No. 501 Squadron, Flying Officer P. P. C. Barthropp of No. 602 Squadron, and Pilot Officer W. B. Pattullo of No. 46 Squadron. Uffz. H. Bechthold baled out and was captured, while Uffz. H. Koch was killed.

Flying Officer P. R. F. Burton of No. 249 Squadron pursued a Bf 110C-2 (W.Nr. 3560, L1+XB) of 5./LG 1 across Sussex at extremely low altitude. The Bf 110, flown by the Austrian-born Gruppenkommandeur of V./LG 1, Hauptmann Horst Liensberger, attempted to escape south toward the Channel, but Burton remained in pursuit for nearly forty miles, at times little more than treetop height.

Just north of Hailsham, Burton’s Hurricane V6883 closed on the enemy aircraft after his guns had apparently ceased firing, most likely due to exhausted ammunition. Witnesses observed the Hurricane positioned above and behind the Bf 110 before Burton suddenly banked into what appeared to be a deliberate ramming attack. Both aircraft lurched violently and debris separated in mid-air. The tail section of the Bf 110 fell into a field, followed shortly afterwards by the remainder of the aircraft, which crashed at Simmons Field, Hamlins Mill. The detached object seen falling separately was later identified as the wingtip of Burton’s Hurricane.

Burton’s aircraft, fatally damaged in the collision, crashed into a large oak tree on New Barn Farm, throwing the pilot clear before the Hurricane burned itself out in a nearby field. Burton was killed instantly. Liensberger and his radio operator, Uffz. Albert Kopge, were also killed.

Shortly afterwards, at 10:00 hours, a Bf 110D/0 (W.Nr. 3147, L1+BL) of 15./LG 1 was shot down over Redhill by Flying Officer P. W. Lochnan of No. 1 (RCAF) Squadron, Sergeant R. D. Hogg of No. 17 Squadron, Sergeant H. J. R. Barrow of No. 213 Squadron, and Pilot Officer W. P. Hopkin of No. 602 Squadron. The aircraft crashed at Gatwick Aerodrome, killing Oberlt. U. Fr. von Grafenreuth and Fw. O. Reinhold.

The destruction inflicted upon the formation effectively crippled V.(Z)./LG 1, which, by the end of the day, retained only a handful of experienced crews from the strength it had possessed during the French campaign.

09:00–09:43 Hours: First Major Attack

At approximately 09:00 hours, some 180 enemy aircraft — comprising around one hundred fighters and eighty bombers — crossed the coast between Folkestone and Dover in six formations flying at altitudes ranging from 15,000 to 20,000 feet. The attacking force included Ju 88s of KG 77 and Bf 109s of JG 27. Thirteen squadrons from No. 11 Group were scrambled, eleven of which successfully intercepted the raid, while No. 12 Group dispatched four squadrons to patrol North Weald and Hornchurch.

Heavy fighting developed across Kent and Sussex as the bomber formations pushed inland. At 09:20 hours, a Ju 88A-1 (W.Nr. 8109, 3Z+BL) of 3./KG 77 was shot down during a bombing mission against London by Squadron Leader E. A. McNab, Flying Officer D. de P. Brown, and Pilot Officer B. E. Christmas of No. 1 (RCAF) Squadron, together with Pilot Officer J. E. L. Zumbach of No. 303 Squadron. The aircraft crashed at North End Lodge, East Grinstead. Fw. A. Bräutigam baled out and was admitted to Queen Victoria Hospital; Uffz. H. Winkelmann also baled out but later died in hospital, while Fw. R. Precht was killed when his parachute failed to open, and Uffz. H. Kasing died in the aircraft.

Five minutes later, a Bf 109E-1 (W.Nr. 3369, 11+-) of 5./JG 27 was shot down by anti-aircraft fire during an escort mission over Lewes and crashed at Lower Mays Farm, Selmeston. Gefr. H.-D. John baled out and was captured.

At 09:30 hours, a Ju 88A-1 (W.Nr. 8095, 3Z+HK) of 2./KG 77 was destroyed by Pilot Officer M. Ferić of No. 303 Squadron during a bombing mission against London. The aircraft crashed at Folly Farm, South Holmwood, near Dorking. Uffz. R. Schumann, H.-J. Tenbolt, and A. Ackermann baled out and were captured, while W. Menningmann was killed and later buried at Leatherhead Cemetery.

Further losses followed at 09:40 hours, when Sergeant C. F. Babbage of No. 602 Squadron shot down a Ju 88A-1 (W.Nr. 2164, 3Z+IK) of 2./KG 77 into the sea off Lydd during the continuing attacks on the bomber stream. Uffz. G. Schmidt and H. Sergocki were rescued, but Flgr. W. Krebs and Uffz. W. Hertlein were believed to have drowned when the aircraft crashed into the sea.

At the same time, a Ju 88A-5 (W.Nr. 393, 4U+RL) of 3.(F)/123 was intercepted by Pilot Officer E. S. Marrs of No. 152 Squadron during combat and crashed into the sea off Porlock Bay. Oberlt. W. Rüde, Fw. H. Ackenhausen, and Fw. E. Riehle were rescued and captured, while Flgr. W. Reuhl drowned in the aircraft and was later buried in Porlock churchyard.

The attack was halted in the Maidstone–Tonbridge area, although several enemy aircraft penetrated as far as Central and West London before turning back. By 09:43 hours, the formations were dispersing and recrossing the coast between Shoreham and Dungeness.

11:47–13:00 Hours: Second Major Attack

Between 11:47 and 12:15 hours, six formations totalling approximately 300 enemy aircraft crossed the coast between Dover and Lympne at altitudes ranging from 12,000 to 29,000 feet before heading toward the Chatham area. Twenty RAF squadrons were scrambled, and the principal engagements took place over Kent and East Sussex. Enemy formations encountered during this phase consisted chiefly of fighters, although Ju 88 bomber formations also penetrated inland toward London.

At 11:05 hours, a Ju 88A-1 (W.Nr. 8090, 3Z+DH) of 1./KG 77 was brought down by anti-aircraft fire. The aircraft crashed at the Angas Home for Aged Seamen in Cudham, Kent. Oberfw. H. Müller, R. Müller, and Uffz. M. Kollmannsberger baled out and were captured, but Gefr. G. Zabel was killed when his parachute failed to open.

As the battle intensified over Kent, a Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 1538) of 8./JG 54 was shot down during combat over Tilbury at 12:05 hours by Sergeant J. K. Norwell of No. 41 Squadron and Pilot Officer A. G. Lewis of No. 249 Squadron. The aircraft crashed at Brenley House, Boughton, near Canterbury, killing Oberlt. A. Schön.

Further combats developed over Maidstone and the Medway area as RAF fighters repeatedly intercepted the withdrawing formations. At 12:40 hours, Sergeant J. H. Lacey of No. 501 Squadron shot down a Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 1447, 5+-) of 6./JG 27 during combat over Maidstone. The aircraft crashed at Hale Farm, Eccles, near Aylesford, and Uffz. J. Scheidt was killed.

Ten minutes later, a Bf 109E-1 (W.Nr. 3431, 3+-) of 5./JG 52 was shot down during combat over Kent by Pilot Officer R. G. A. Barclay of No. 249 Squadron. The aircraft crashed at Brick House Farm, High Halden, near Tenterden, and Fw. H. Hoffmann baled out and was captured.

At approximately 13:00 hours, a Bf 109E-1 (W.Nr. 3907, 8+-) of II./JG 52 was destroyed during combat over Maidstone by Pilot Officer W. B. Pattullo and Sergeant E. Tyrer of No. 46 Squadron. The aircraft crashed at Broad Street, Hollingbourne, and Oberlt. C. Treiber was captured wounded.

Enemy formations began dispersing shortly after 12:30 hours and had largely withdrawn by 13:00 hours, although isolated combats continued across Kent as formations withdrew toward the Channel.

11:30–12:20 Hours: Attack on Filton

At almost the same time as the second major attack, approximately twenty-five Bf 110 fighter-bombers of Erprobungsgruppe 210, escorted by around forty-five Bf 110s of ZG 26 and additional Bf 109s, crossed the coast near Swanage at 11:20 hours and headed toward Bristol and Filton, where attacks were directed against the Filton area and the Parnall Aircraft Factory at Yate.

Near Frome, the Bf 109 escort turned back, leaving the Bf 110 formations exposed to interception by RAF fighters from Nos. 56, 152, 504, and 609 Squadrons. Fierce combat developed across Dorset and Somerset as the German formations approached Bristol.

At 11:45 hours, a Bf 110D-3 (W.Nr. 3888, S9+JH) of 1./Erpr.Gr. 210 was attacked by aircraft of No. 504 Squadron and ultimately shot down by Pilot Officer B. E. G. White during the dive-bombing attack on the Parnall Aircraft Factory at Yate. The aircraft crashed at Bradle Row, Kimmeridge, near Wareham. Lt. G. Schmidt and Fw. G. Richter were both killed and later buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery.

At the same time, a Bf 110C-4 (W.Nr. 2162, U8+FK) of 2./ZG 26 was shot down by Flying Officer M. E. A. Royce of No. 504 Squadron during combat over Bristol. The aircraft exploded over the Stapleton Institution at Fishponds, becoming the only enemy aircraft to crash within the Bristol city boundary during the war. Oberfw. H. Tiepelt and Uffz. H. Brosig were both killed and buried at Greenbank Cemetery.

Further south, a Bf 110C-4 (W.Nr. 3352, U8+GL) of 3./ZG 26 was destroyed during combat over Yate by Sergeant H. D. B. Jones of No. 504 Squadron and Flying Officer T. H. T. Forshaw of No. 609 Squadron. The aircraft crashed at Haydon Farm, near Radstock. Lt. J. Kopsell baled out and was captured, while Uffz. J. Schmidt was killed when his parachute failed to open.

Additional losses followed in rapid succession. a Bf 110C-4 (W.Nr. 3629, 3U+IM) of 4./ZG 26 exploded over Salters Wood, near Middle Bere Wood Farm, Arne, after an attack by Pilot Officer M. E. Staples of No. 609 Squadron and Pilot Officer A. R. Watson of No. 152 Squadron. Oberlt. A. Niebuhr and Uffz. K. Theisen were both killed.

Nearby, a Bf 110C-4 (W.Nr. 3290, 3U+DS) of 8./ZG 26 was shot down by Pilot Officer A. R. Watson of No. 152 Squadron during combat over Bristol and crashed at Kimmeridge, near Wareham. Uffz. F. Schupp and Gefr. K. Nechwatal were both captured.

Another ZG 26 aircraft, a Bf 110C-4 (W.Nr. 3297, 3U+FT) of 9./ZG 26, collided with the Spitfire of Pilot Officer R. F. G. Miller of No. 609 Squadron during combat over Chesilbourne, near Kingscombe at approximately 11:45 hours. Both aircraft exploded in mid-air. Gefr. E. Liedtke was killed and later buried at Brookwood Cemetery, while Gefr. G. Jackstadt baled out and was captured. Miller was also killed when the wreckage of his Spitfire, X4107, crashed east of Doles Ash, north of Dorchester.

Pilot Officer A. K. Ogilvie of No. 609 Squadron, who destroyed a Bf 110 off Portland during the engagement, later recalled witnessing the collision between ‘Yellow 1’ and an enemy aircraft, as well as several Bf 110s descending in flames.

“I was flying Yellow 3. At 24,000 feet we engaged a circle of Me110s. Following Yellow 1 we made a beam attack on the circle, each taking a separate aircraft. The circle broke up and I saw an Me110 turn into Yellow 1. There was a head on collision, both aircraft disintegrated in terrific explosion. I made an attack on one from almost head on, climbed up and came down vertically on him (10 secs). He went straight down, both engines on fire. This was seen by other pilots. I also saw at least three other 110s going down in flames, one hit the sea, another on the land near Portland.”

At approximately 12:00 hours, a Bf 110D-3 (W.Nr. 3378, S9+DA) of Erpr.Gr. 210 was attacked by aircraft of No. 504 Squadron, the final attack being delivered by Flight Lieutenant A. Rook during the dive-bombing attack on the Parnall Aircraft Factory at Yate. The aircraft crashed at Busseys Stool Farm, Cranborne Chase. Hauptmann Martin Lutz and Uffz. A. Schön were both killed.

Almost simultaneously, a Bf 110D/0 (W.Nr. 4270, S9+DK) of 2./Erpr.Gr. 210 was attacked by aircraft of No. 504 Squadron and shot down by Flight Lieutenant A. Rook together with Pilot Officer M. H. Constable-Maxwell of No. 56 Squadron during the same attack on Yate. The aircraft crashed at The Beeches, Preston Hill, Iwerne Minster. Fw. F. Ebner and Gefr. D. Zwick were both captured wounded.

Although RAF squadrons succeeded in dispersing the enemy formations before they reached the Bristol Aeroplane Company works, Filton Aerodrome itself was attacked at 11:36 hours. Two bombs fell near the Operations Room, one struck the perimeter dispersal track, and five more landed in fields near the northern corner of the landing ground. Operational serviceability remained unaffected, and damage was confined to one hangar, a water pipe connected to a hydrant, and the field telephone system. No service aircraft were damaged.

15:00–16:00 Hours: Third Major Attack

Between 15:00 and 15:26 hours, nine formations totalling approximately 160 enemy aircraft, of which roughly half were bombers, crossed the coast between Dover and Brighton at an average altitude of 22,000 feet and proceeded toward South London. The formations included Ju 88s of KG 77 escorted by large fighter formations, among them Bf 109s of JG 3, JG 52, and JG 54. RAF squadrons intercepted almost immediately, although approximately twenty enemy aircraft penetrated as far as Central London before dispersing.

Heavy engagements developed across Kent, Sussex, and the Thames approaches as RAF fighters repeatedly attacked the bomber streams during both the inbound and withdrawal phases. At 15:30 hours, a Ju 88A-1 (W.Nr. 5103, 3Z+CL) of 3./KG 77 was shot down by Flying Officer D. de P. Brown of No. 1 (RCAF) Squadron during a bombing mission against London. The aircraft crashed at Hononton, Horsmonden. Uffz. H. Damerius and Uffz. F. Hastrich were both killed and later buried in All Saints Churchyard, Brenchley; Uffz. M. Merschen was also killed, while Uffz. R. Ludwig was captured wounded.

At the same time, a Ju 88A-5 (W.Nr. 293, 3Z+DC) of 2./KG 77 was brought down by anti-aircraft fire in conjunction with attacks by Sergeant H. J. Davidson of No. 249 Squadron and Pilot Officer D. B. H. McHardy of No. 229 Squadron. The aircraft crashed at Vexour Farm, Penshurst. Fw. A. Zeller and Uffz. E. Brodbeck baled out and were captured, while Fw. H. Adler and Oberlt. K.-H. Lutze were both killed.

Further east, a Ju 88A-1 (W.Nr. 4118, 3Z+DP) of 6./KG 77 was destroyed during a bombing mission against London by Sergeant H. J. Davidson of No. 249 Squadron. The aircraft crashed at Chiddingstone. Oberlt. E. Seif, Fw. A. Eichinger, and Uffz. S. Gebhardt were killed, while Fw. H. Zinsmeister baled out and was captured wounded.

Intense fighter combat also developed over Canterbury and Thanet as Bf 109s from JG 3 and JG 52 engaged Spitfires of No. 603 Squadron. At 15:40 hours, a Bf 109E-1 (W.Nr. 3217) of 9./JG 3 was shot down by Pilot Officer R. Berry of No. 603 Squadron during combat over Canterbury. The aircraft crashed at Owens Court Farm, Gushmere, Selling, and Uffz. H. Struwe baled out and was captured.

At almost the same moment, a Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 5181, 5+-) of 4./JG 52 was shot down during combat over Canterbury by Squadron Leader G. L. Denholm, Pilot Officer R. Berry, and Flying Officer D. J. C. Pinckney of No. 603 Squadron. The aircraft crashed at Morrison House Farm, St Nicholas-at-Wade, and Fw. Franz Bogasch was captured wounded.

Minutes later, a Bf 109E-1 (W.Nr. 6245, 4+-) of 4./JG 52 crashed at Petham following combat over Canterbury, while at 15:50 hours a Bf 109E-1 (W.Nr. 3442, 12+-) of the same unit was shot down over Thanet by Squadron Leader G. L. Denholm and Pilot Officer R. Berry before crashing at Northbourne Park, Sandwich. Gefr. E. Bosch was captured wounded.

KG 77’s Ju 88 formations continued to suffer heavily during the withdrawal over the Channel. At 16:00 hours, a Ju 88A-1 (W.Nr. 4117, 3Z+DN) of 5./KG 77 was shot down by Flying Officer W. Urbanowicz of No. 303 Squadron and crashed into the sea off St Leonards. Oberlt. F. Ziel baled out but drowned, his body later washing ashore at Hastings on 22 October; Fw. F. Niederer also drowned after baling out, while Gefr. J. Feichtmayer was rescued by the Hastings lifeboat Cyril and Lilian Bishop. Uffz. H. Isensee was believed to have been killed in the aircraft.

At around the same time, a Ju 88A-1 (W.Nr. 7109, 3Z+GN) of 5./KG 77 was shot down by Flight Lieutenant J. A. Kent of No. 303 Squadron together with Pilot Officers W. H. Millington and T. F. Neil of No. 249 Squadron during a bombing mission against London. The aircraft crashed into the sea off Beachy Head. Lt. W. Pfluger, Uffz. O. Gronke, and Gefr. F. Reinhardt were all posted missing and presumed killed, while Gefr. M. Zott’s body later washed ashore at Crow Link Gap on 1 November 1940.

Another aircraft of the same unit, a Ju 88A-1 (W.Nr. 7112, 3Z+HN), was shot down by Flying Officer V. M. Bright of No. 229 Squadron during combat over the Sussex coast and crashed into the sea off Bexhill. Hptm. G. Zetsche, Fw. W. Mahl, and Gefr. A. Burkhardt were all posted missing and presumed killed, while Obergefr. A. Kuhn’s body later washed ashore at Walton-on-the-Naze.

During the same fighting, a Bf 110D-3 (W.Nr. 4215, M8+XE) of ZG 76 was shot down over London by Pilot Officer P. A. Worrall, Sergeant G. C. C. Palliser of No. 249 Squadron, and Flight Lieutenant A. C. Rabagliati of No. 46 Squadron. The aircraft crashed into the sea off Hastings. Oberlt. W. von Eichborn was rescued by a fishing boat and captured, while Uffz. E. Bartmuss was posted missing and presumed killed.

By approximately 16:00 hours, the remaining enemy formations had crossed back over the coast.

Claims by German fighter leaders reflected the scale and intensity of the day’s fighting. Hauptmann Helmut Wick of Stab I./JG 2 increased his tally to thirty-one victories, while Oberleutnant Hans Philipp of 4./JG 54 claimed four aircraft destroyed. Further successes were credited to Oblt. Roloff von Aspern of 5./JG 54, Oblt. Herbert Ihlefeld of 1.(J)/LG 2, Hauptmann Walter Oesau of Stab III./JG 51, Oberleutnant Arnold Lignitz of 9./JG 51, Oblt. Gustav Rödel of 4./JG 27, Lt. Willi Kothmann of 2./JG 27, Unteroffizier Xaver Ray of 8./JG 53, Oberfeldwebel Josef Pöhs of 5./JG 54, and Lt. Otto Grote of 4./JG 54.

Kommodore Werner Mölders of JG 51 claimed a further Spitfire of No. 222 Squadron for his forty-first victory, while his brother, Oberleutnant Viktor Mölders of 2./JG 51, also claimed a Hurricane. Yet the fighting proved costly for many Luftwaffe units. II./JG 52 endured a disastrous return to operations, losing seven aircraft and five pilots, among them Fw. Franz Bogasch of 4./JG 52, who was shot down and captured.

Overall Luftwaffe losses for the day reached fifty-seven aircraft, including twenty-one bombers, with eighty-one aircrew posted missing or killed. Fighter Command lost twenty-eight fighters, with twenty pilots missing or killed.

Battle of Graveney Marsh

Later in the afternoon, attention centred on a Ju 88A-1 (W.Nr. 8099, 3Z+EL) of 3./KG 77, nicknamed Eule (“Owl”) by its crew, which crash-landed on Graveney Marshes near Faversham after sustaining anti-aircraft damage during the raid on London and subsequent attacks by Sergeant C. A. Parsons of No. 66 Squadron and Sergeant H. Bowen-Morris of No. 92 Squadron. The aircraft, a new model which had entered service only two weeks earlier, was of particular interest to British intelligence, who had already issued orders that such aircraft were to be captured intact whenever possible.

The bomber was flown by Unteroffizier Fritz Ruhlandt, with Feldwebel Gotthard Richter, Unteroffizier Erwin Richter and Flieger Jakob Reiner aboard. After one engine had been damaged by anti-aircraft fire, the Spitfires of Parsons and Bowen-Morris destroyed the remaining engine over Kent, forcing Ruhlandt to make a crash-landing near the Sportsman Inn at Seasalter. All four crewmen survived.

Men of the 1st Battalion, London Irish Rifles, billeted nearby, quickly arrived at the scene and found the German airmen attempting to destroy classified equipment and documents aboard the aircraft. According to several accounts, the crew had armed themselves with machine guns removed from the Ju 88 and a sub-machine gun carried as part of their survival kit. British troops opened fire and one of the Germans was wounded in the foot before the crew surrendered and were taken prisoner. 

The prisoners were later taken to the Sportsman Inn and given pints of beer before being transferred into custody. The Ju 88 itself was recovered and transported to Farnborough for technical examination, where it reportedly provided highly valuable intelligence. The incident later became known as the “Battle of Graveney Marsh” and is widely regarded as the last armed engagement fought on English soil.

Patrols, Reconnaissances and Minor Raids

Throughout most of the day, the Luftwaffe maintained fighter patrols over the Channel.

During the evening, reconnaissance activity was observed off the south-east coast, in the Thames Estuary, and off East Anglia, the latter probably consisting of shipping reconnaissance over a convoy.

At 17:35 hours, high-explosive bombs fell within the grounds of the Dunlop Rubber Company works at Birmingham, though only slight damage to the factory was reported.

At 18:45 hours, two Ju 88s of LG 1 operating over St George’s Channel were intercepted by Red Section of No. 79 Squadron, comprising Squadron Leader J. H. Heyworth and Pilot Officers R. W. Clarke and G. H. Nelson-Edwards.

One Ju 88A-5 (W.Nr. 3197, L1+DR) of 7./LG 1 crashed into the sea off St David’s Head following the engagement. Fw. J. Krings, Uffz. F. Wurm, and Oberfhr. H.-G. Vanselow were all posted missing and presumed killed, while Uffz. R. Wachtler was killed and his body later washed ashore at Courtown, County Wexford, Ireland.

The second Ju 88A-5 (W.Nr. 4153, L1+BR) of 7./LG 1 was also shot down off St David’s Head. Oberlt. R. Strasser, Fw. R. Sochtig, and Uffz. W. Forster were posted missing and presumed killed, while Gefr. W. Lorenz’s body later washed ashore and was buried in Ireland.

No daylight minelaying operations were detected.

Enemy Action by Night

Night operations commenced at approximately 20:17 hours, with the capital receiving the greater part of the enemy’s attention. Edinburgh, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Nottingham were also subjected to attack.

Between 19:30 and 21:00 hours, eighteen raids originating from Dieppe and Le Havre advanced toward the London area. A further nine raids from Cherbourg crossed the coast between Swanage and Selsey Bill before proceeding toward the Bristol Channel area, several continuing onward toward Liverpool.

At the same time, four raids approaching from the direction of Denmark crossed the coast north of St Abb’s Head and proceeded toward Edinburgh after first shadowing a convoy.

Fires were started in several London districts during the initial raids, although most were quickly brought under control. Damage to communications was again reported, though generally less severe than on the previous night. A fire at the Thames Ammunition Works caused only negligible damage.

From 21:00 to 01:00 hours, fifty-five raids were plotted, the majority proceeding toward London from Cherbourg and Dieppe, although several penetrated as far north as Duxford. Additional scattered raids targeted the Liverpool district, Birmingham, and Nottingham.

By 23:00 hours, the western half of the country had largely cleared of enemy aircraft. No minelaying operations were suspected during this phase.

Between 01:00 and 06:00 hours, raids continued to arrive steadily from the French coast toward London until approximately 02:15 hours, after which there was a brief lull. Activity elsewhere in the country remained limited.

At 03:15 hours, renewed activity developed from the Abbeville area toward London, crossing the coast between Bexhill and Hastings. This stream of raids continued until approximately 06:00 hours, when the last formations were recrossing the coast.

Summary

The Luftwaffe’s operations on 27 September 1940 were intended to deliver simultaneous heavy blows against both London and Bristol. Instead, they suffered one of their worst days of the campaign, with crippling losses among their bomber and Zerstörer units. The deaths of senior officers such as Hauptmann Martin Lutz and Hauptmann Horst Liensberger dealt a further blow to morale. Fighter Command, though strained, proved resilient. The day’s events underlined Adolf Galland’s candid admission to Göring:

“In spite of the heavy losses we are inflicting on the enemy fighters, no decisive decrease in their number or fighting efficiency was noticeable.”

The day closed with the Luftwaffe no closer to breaking Fighter Command, and their heavy daylight losses forced an increasing reliance on night bombing.

German Losses:
Airmen: 81 | Aircraft: 57

British Losses:
Airmen: 20 | Aircraft: 28

Hurricane P3647, No. 1 (RCAF) Squadron
F/O O.J. Peterson killed. Shot down in combat with Ju 88s and Bf 110s over North Kent.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Peterson.htm

Spitfire X4352, No. 19 Squadron
P/O E. Burgoyne killed. Shot down by Bf 109s in combat over Canterbury.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Burgoyne.htm

Spitfire X4032, No. 64 Squadron
Sgt. L.A. Dyke. Listed as missing. Failed to return from a sector patrol. Cause unknown.
http://bbm.org.uk/airmen/Dyke.htm

Spitfire X4340, No. 72 Squadron
P/O E.E. Males killed. Shot down in combat with Bf 109s over Sevenoaks.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Males.htm

Spitfire N3068, No. 72 Squadron
F/O P.J. Davies-Cooke killed. Shot down by a Bf 109 over Sevenoaks. Pilot baled out but fell dead near Hayes Station.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Davies-Cooke.htm

Spitfire X4422, No. 92 Squadron
F/O J.A. Paterson killed. Shot down in flames by Bf 109s near Maidstone.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/PatersonJA.htm

Spitfire R6767, No. 92 Squadron
Sgt. C. Sydney killed. Shot down in combat with enemy aircraft.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/sydney.htm

Spitfire R6622, No. 92 Squadron
Sgt. T.G. Oldfield killed. Aircraft crashed onto Hesketh Park in Dartford.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/as-oldfield.htm

Hurricane N2401, No. 213 Squadron
F/Lt. L.H. Schwind killed. Shot down in combat with enemy fighters over Gatwick.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Schwind.htm

Spitfire P9364, No. 222 Squadron
Sgt. E. Scott. Listed as missing. Failed to return from an operational sortie in the afternoon.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/ScottE.htm

Hurricane V6782, No. 229 Squadron
F/Lt. R.F. Rimmer killed. Shot down in combat with Bf 109s. Aircraft exploded over Franchise Manor Farm, Burwash.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Rimmer.htm

Hurricane P2967, No. 242 Squadron
F/O M.G. Homer killed. Shot down in combat with Bf 109s.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Homer.htm

Hurricane V6883, No. 249 Squadron
F/O P.R.F. Burton killed. Collided with Bf 110 during combat over Redhill area.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/BurtonPRF.htm

Hurricane P3834, No. 249 Squadron
P/O J.R.B. Meaker killed. Shot down by return fire from a Ju 88. Pilot baled out but fell dead at Warren Field, Brightling Park.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Meaker.htm

Hurricane L1696, No. 303 Squadron
F/O L.W. Paszkiewicz killed. Shot down in combat with enemy aircraft.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Paszkiewicz.htm

Hurricane V7246, No. 303 Squadron
Sgt. T. Andruszkow killed. Shot down over Horsham.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Andruszkow.htm

Hurricane V6645, No. 501 Squadron
P/O E.M. Gunter killed. Shot down while attacking Do 17s. Pilot baled out but was killed when parachute failed to open.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Gunter.htm

Spitfire N3244, No. 603 Squadron
P/O P.M. Cardell killed. Baled out over Channel but parachute failed to open.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Cardell.htm

Spitfire X4107, No. 609 Squadron
P/O R.F.G. Miller killed. Collided with a Bf 110 over Chesilbourne, near Kingscombe.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/MillerRFG.htm

Spitfire R6702, No. 616 Squadron
F/O D.S. Smith. Died of injuries 28/09/40. Shot down by Bf 109s whilst acting as a weaver.
http://bbm.org.uk/airmen/SmithDS.htm

Photo Descriptions

1. Pilots of No. 249 Squadron based at North Weald, September 1940. Left to Right: P/O Percy Burton; Flt/Lt Robert ‘Butch’ Barton; Flt/Lt Albert Gerald ‘Zulu’ Lewis; P/O Terry ‘Ossie’ Crossey; P/O Tom ‘Ginger’ Neil; P/O Hugh John Sherard ‘Beazel’ Beazley; Sqn/Ldr John Grandy C/O; P/O George Barclay; Flt/Lt Keith Lofts.
2. The shattered tail section of Messerschmitt Bf 110C-2 (L1+XB) of Stab I./LG 1, flown by Hauptmann Horst Liensberger, after it was brought down in collision with the Hurricane of Pilot Officer Burton of No. 249 Squadron on 27 September 1940.
3. A Junkers Ju 88A-1 (W.Nr. 8099, 3Z+EL) of 3./KG 77, which crash-landed on Graveney Marsh, Kent, on 27 September 1940, after being damaged by AA fire and intercepted by Spitfires of Nos. 66 and 92 Squadrons. When troops of the 1st Battalion London Irish Rifles moved in, the crew opened fire before being overpowered, two of them wounded. The bomber, largely intact, was taken to Farnborough for evaluation. The clash, remembered as the “Battle of Graveney Marsh,” is regarded as the last armed engagement on English soil.
4. A close-up of the Junkers Ju 88A-1 (W.Nr. 8099, 3Z+EL) of 3./KG 77, which crash-landed on Graveney Marsh, Kent, on 27 September 1940.
5. Flight Sergeant George ‘Grumpy’ Unwin of No. 19 Squadron with Flash the Squadron mascot at Fowlmere, September 1940. Unwin shot down 14.5 enemy aircraft between May and September 1940 including a Bf 109 destroyed on 27 September. © IWM (CH 1343)