Dummy raids on shipping then heavy attacks on south-eastern airfields. Luton attacked.

Night: Third raid on Liverpool. Single raids over wide area.

Weather: Fair.

Enemy Action by Day

The Luftwaffe launched one of its most intense and coordinated operations yet, with over 1,300 sorties dispatched against Britain—a clear demonstration of Kesselring’s determination to overwhelm Fighter Command. Throughout the morning, fighter sweeps by Bf 109s prowled the skies over England, yet No. 11 Group commander, Air Vice Marshal Keith Park, was reluctant to commit his squadrons prematurely. Park’s strategy was to avoid being drawn into fruitless dogfights, and instead preserve strength for decisive engagements. To counter this, the Luftwaffe employed large bomber formations accompanied by Bf 109 escorts, hoping to provoke the RAF fighters into action.

Despite the fine weather, the morning’s only significant enemy activity targeted shipping in the Thames Estuary. At precisely 07:36, over 100 aircraft, including Dornier Do 17 bombers escorted by Bf 110s of Zerstörergeschwader 76 (ZG 76), approached the Deal-Dungeness area, aiming for a convoy sailing from the Thames at Methil. Hurricanes from No. 111 Squadron and Spitfires from No. 54 Squadron engaged the formation aggressively, exchanging fire above the estuary in an attempt to disrupt the bombing run.

Meanwhile, Bf 109s from Jagdgeschwader 26 (JG 26) conducted a freie Jagd – free hunt – over the English countryside but failed to provoke a significant RAF response. Fighter Command was holding its fire, waiting for a more substantial target. The first major sign of a full-scale offensive came at 10:30 when radar detected three separate groups of Heinkel He 111 bombers off the coast near Cape Gris-Nez. These combined formations totaled approximately 120 aircraft. Notably, the Luftwaffe had begun modifying tactics by reducing the number of Bf 109 close escorts while sending a larger contingent of fighters at higher altitudes around 25,000 feet, attempting to conserve fighter strength.

Park’s tactical adjustments included instructing his pilots with the now-famous call of “Tally Ho” – a system intended to quickly communicate the size, altitude, and direction of enemy formations, allowing RAF fighters to concentrate their efforts effectively. However, early on the system was imperfect, with pilots sometimes shouting the alert without key details, enabling the Luftwaffe to mount near-continuous raids with minimal interference.

For almost two hours, nineteen Gruppen of German bombers swept over RAF airfields in Kent and the Thames Estuary, striking with devastating effect. A single direct hit on a vital power supply line disabled the radar stations at Dover, Rye, Pevensey, Foreness, Beachy Head, and Whitstable, leaving them offline for a critical three-hour period. This blackout severely hampered British early warning capabilities. Aerodromes such as Biggin Hill, Kenley, Shoreham, Tangmere, and Rochford were battered by repeated strikes. Bombs tore through hangars, workshops, and grounded aircraft, inflicting heavy material damage and civilian casualties – at Biggin Hill alone, some 40 people were killed.

Finally compelled to respond, Fighter Command scrambled squadrons from multiple bases. Hurricanes from No. 43 Squadron at Tangmere, No. 79 Squadron at Biggin Hill, No. 85 Squadron at Croydon, No. 111 Squadron at Debden, and No. 253 Squadron at Kenley joined Spitfires from Nos. 222 and 603 Squadrons at Hornchurch, No. 610 Squadron at Biggin Hill, and No. 616 Squadron at Kenley to engage the invaders. Park orchestrated these deployments in waves to meet the three successive bomber formations crossing the Channel.

As the bombers neared the coast between Deal and Folkestone, RAF squadrons moved in. No. 43, 79, 253, and 603 Squadrons engaged the first wave, with 85 Squadron at Croydon launching a daring head-on attack against the leading Heinkels. The skies erupted into chaos as vapour trails crisscrossed and fighters tangled with Bf 109s, Heinkels, Dorniers, Hurricanes, and Spitfires alike. The air was thick with tracer fire, and losses mounted on both sides. Pilot Sergeant G. Pallister of No. 249 Squadron later recounted witnessing Pilot Officer P. Burton deliberately ram a German bomber in a desperate act of sacrifice.

South African pilot P/O E.J. Morris of No. 79 Squadron also experienced the ferocity of close combat firsthand. In his first frontal attack on a Heinkel, Morris fired on the bomber only to be rammed violently. Though his Hurricane was shredded, Morris survived by bailing out, sustaining only a broken leg. Reflecting on the engagement, Morris expressed bewilderment at the Luftwaffe’s refusal to break formation during frontal attacks—an insight into the grim realities RAF pilots faced.

By 11:15, radar and Observer Corps reports confirmed a large assembly of more than 40 He 111s and 30 Do 17s, escorted by over 100 Bf 109s and Bf 110s, advancing toward the Kent coast. RAF squadrons fought fiercely as German bombers pushed inland over Ashford. In response, Park placed nearly sixteen squadrons on high alert, calling on reinforcements from 12 Group to cover vulnerable airfields at Biggin Hill and Kenley. However, these reinforcements struggled to locate the enemy formations in time.

Amid the aerial battles, Squadron Leader Tom Gleave of No. 253 Squadron distinguished himself by leading a squadron of Hurricanes in a decisive attack on a large Bf 109 formation. Alongside Flight Lieutenant George Brown and Pilot Officer Douglas Francis, Gleave’s unit dived onto the enemy, shooting down five Messerschmitts without suffering losses—a rare and morale-boosting success in a tumultuous day.

As fresh German formations streamed in, Park had no choice but to commit all available squadrons. Two 12 Group squadrons assigned to cover Biggin Hill failed to intercept incoming Ju 88s, allowing the airfield and nearby village of Keston to suffer further bomb damage. Kenley also sustained heavy punishment with numerous buildings hit and grounded aircraft destroyed or damaged.

Squadrons from Biggin Hill and Hornchurch, including Nos. 79 and 74, were redirected to defend these critical stations. Hurricanes and Spitfires engaged in a desperate struggle against the Luftwaffe’s Bf 109s and bombers, but despite their efforts, Croydon and Detling airfields were also struck.

Park’s frustration with 12 Group’s performance was evident as he questioned their commanders: “Where in the hell were your fighters supposed to be?” The response that the 12 Group pilots “could not find the enemy” earned Park’s sharp retort that they were not to go hunting but to hold their positions over South London airfields and await the enemy.

By midday, all German raids had been driven off, but not before inflicting serious damage to British radar defenses, multiple airfields, and causing significant losses on both sides. 

By early afternoon,  Luftflotte 2 renewed its pressure with a series of tightly coordinated assaults. Beginning around 1300 hours, Kesselring dispatched small formations of bombers, each heavily protected by fighters, which crossed the Kent coast at roughly 20-minute intervals. These formations, flying at approximately 15,000 feet, largely evaded detection due to radar station outages caused by earlier strikes. Once over Kent, the German waves splintered, each heading toward a different target.

These raids primarily struck forward RAF airfields such as Hawkinge and Manston, initiating what would become over two hours of continuous Luftwaffe activity across southeast England. Five RAF fighter squadrons, including No. 222 Squadron, scrambled in response. The day’s intensity was exemplified by the losses suffered by 222 Squadron: out of three sorties flown, they had eight Spitfires rendered inoperable, five destroyed, one pilot killed, and two more injured. During a patrol at 16,000 feet over Lympne, twelve of their aircraft engaged fifteen He 111s near Canterbury, only to be intercepted by Bf 110s. Although the squadron managed to damage a Bf 110, multiple RAF aircraft were forced to crash-land or bail out, including P/O Carpenter in Spitfire P9378 near Rochford.

Meanwhile, No. 43 Squadron Hurricanes (Tangmere) intercepted bombers targeting Lympne. Though minor damage was sustained, the enemy made only one bombing run before turning back across the Channel.

Around 1600 hours, the heaviest attacks of the day commenced as waves of bombers swept over Kent and surged inland from the Thames Estuary. Thirteen squadrons were deployed to counter them, including Nos. 56 (North Weald), 79 (Biggin Hill), 222 and 603 (Hornchurch), 253 (Kenley), 501 (Gravesend), and 242 Squadron (Duxford), the latter led by S/L Douglas Bader, now seeing his first major combat of the campaign. Vectored toward North Weald, Bader’s squadron encountered Raid X33, a diamond formation of KG 1’s He 111s. Despite enduring 54 rounds of heavy AA fire that downed two bombers, the Heinkels pressed on.

One formation of twenty He 111s of II./KG 1, escorted by Bf 110s, crossed Southend and North Weald, heading for Luton. Although RAF Nos. 1, 56, 242, and 501 Squadrons intercepted and destroyed some Heinkels – Nos. 1 and 56 each claiming one – the bombers struck the Vauxhall Motor Works, mistaking it for an aircraft parts facility. The toll was devastating: over 53 people killed, 140 injured, and widespread destruction, including the collapse of the factory’s main staircase. No public warning had sounded prior to the attack.

Simultaneously, multiple RAF airfields were hit. Detling suffered a crippling blow: over 50 high explosive bombs fell, destroying oil tanks, cutting power lines, and cratering roads and runways, rendering the airfield inoperable for at least 48 hours. Biggin Hill, bombed for the second time that day, was struck by nine low-flying Ju 88s that dropped 1,000 lb bombs, devastating key infrastructure. The transport yard was obliterated, the mess halls and storerooms badly damaged, two hangars destroyed earlier in the day and another nearly flattened. Gas and water mains were ruptured, communications cut, and 39 RAF personnel were killed, with 35 more injured. Control of the sector was transferred to Hornchurch.

Despite mounting losses, RAF squadrons – many having flown up to four sorties since the morning – held the line. In total, 22 squadrons had seen combat throughout the day. On the German side, 41 aircraft were destroyed, including fighters and bombers. However, RAF losses were also severe: 39 aircraft destroyed, including eight Spitfires from No. 222 Squadron, and over 50 RAF personnel killed.

RAF No. 303 (Polish) Squadron entered combat for the first time. During a training intercept with six Blenheims in the afternoon, ‘B’ Flight encountered a running air battle involving 60 German bombers, 60 fighters, and British aircraft near Hatfield. F/O Paszkiewicz shot down a Do 17, the squadron’s first confirmed victory.

German ace Oblt. Werner Machold of 1./JG 2 continued his personal tally, destroying a Hurricane near London in the morning, and later that evening downing both a Hurricane and a Spitfire over Goudhurst, bringing his total to sixteen victories. But JG 2 paid a price: Ofw. Harbauer of II./JG 2 and Uffz. Rieh of III./JG 2 were among those lost. Another pilot was shot down and taken prisoner.

Enemy Action by Night

As night fell, the assault continued. Liverpool endured another punishing raid by over 130 bombers, including He 111s of II. and III./KG 27, Ju 88s of I. and III./LG 1, and II./KG 51. Ten bombers dropped their loads on Bristol, while other targets included London, Portsmouth, Manchester, and Worcester. A He 111 from 8 Staffel/KG 55 was lost to AA fire on a mission to Liverpool, crashing upon return to Sens, France. Several other German bombers were lost in mid-air collisions near Paris and Versailles, resulting in heavy aircrew losses.

In the early hours of 29 August, around 0200 hours, 100 incendiary bombs were dropped on Hawarden Aerodrome, slightly damaging one aircraft.

RAF Offensive Operations

Almost forgotten amid the day’s destruction, No. 149 Squadron launched another night raid on Berlin, though damage was negligible. RAF Bomber Command also struck oil targets near Rotterdam and in Belgium, dispatching over 80 Hampdens, Wellingtons, and Whitleys against Leuna, Schwerte, and other industrial centers. Four bombers failed to return.

Conclusion

30 August was, in many respects, one of the most damaging days of the entire Battle of Britain. The Luftwaffe inflicted crippling blows to RAF airfields at Biggin Hill, Kenley, Detling, Manston, and Eastchurch, temporarily disabling operations across much of No. 11 Group’s forward network. Radar coverage was disrupted for hours, and civilian industry – particularly in Luton – suffered grievously.

RAF losses stood at 39 aircraft, with over 50 personnel killed and many others wounded. At least 10 aircraft were destroyed on the ground, and numerous others damaged beyond repair. German losses totaled 41 aircraft, mostly fighters and bombers downed in combat over Kent and Essex. Yet the balance of the day rested not in the air but on the ground.

More troubling than the aircraft lost was the growing tension between AVM Keith Park and AVM Leigh-Mallory, whose command decisions again clashed. Park, furious at the lack of coordinated airfield defense from No. 12 Group, accused his counterpart of chasing glory while leaving vital sectors exposed. Communications between Group HQs were strained to the breaking point.

The Luftwaffe, for once, had struck with devastating effect – and Fighter Command, while not broken, had taken a step closer to the edge.

German Losses:
Airmen: 57 | Aircraft: 40

British Losses:
Airmen: 9 | Aircraft: 25

Hurricane L1965, No. 253 Squadron
P/O C.D. Francis killed. Shot down during combat with Bf 109.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/FrancisCD.htm

Hurricane P3921, No. 253 Squadron
P/O D.N.O. Jenkins killed. Baled out when aircraft hit by gunfire from Bf 109.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Jenkins.htm

Hurricane P3179, No. 43 Squadron
Sgt. D. Noble killed. Shot down by Bf 109 in combat over Sussex coast. Crashed near Brighton/Hove.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Noble.htm

Hurricane V7369, No. 151 Squadron
S/L E.B. King killed. Crashed and exploded in flames during routine patrol. No cause known.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/KingEB.htm

Spitfire X4248, No. 616 Squadron
F/O J.S. Bell killed. Shot down during attack on Bf 109. Crashed and burnt out.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/BellJS.htm

Hurricane P3213, No. 253 Squadron
Sgt. J.H. Dickinson killed. Shot down by Bf 109, baled out but was killed.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Dickinson.htm

Hurricane V6548, No. 43 Squadron
S/L J.V.C. Badger died of wounds 30/6/1941. Shot down by Bf 109 over Romney Marshes.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/BadgerJVC.htm

Spitfire R6628, No. 222 Squadron
Sgt. J.I. Johnson killed. Shot down by Bf 109. Crashed and burnt out.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/JohnsonJI.htm

Photo Descriptions

  1. The wreckage of Heinkel He 111H (1G+EL, W.Nr. 5438 or 3438) of 3./KG 27, shot down on the night of 29/30 August 1940 by F/Lt A.R.Wright of No. 92 Squadron after being caught in searchlights over Bristol. The aircraft crashed onto a house at Downton, Hale, near Fordingbridge, Hants at 23:45 hours.
  2. A section of Spitfires of No. 616 Squadron prepares for an evening take-off from RAF Kenley in late August 1940.
  3. Barrage balloons come down in flames after being shot by German fighters, 30 August 1940.
  4. A Heinkel He 111 bomber of 5./KG 1 lies in a field at Haxted, near Lingfield. The aircraft was part of a formation despatched to attack the Royal Aircraft Establishment HQ at Farnborough in Hampshire on 30 August 1940. It was intercepted by a Hurricane of No. 253 Squadron flown by Plt Off J.P.B. Greenwood, whose bullets killed the gunner, Gefr Walter Reid, damaged both engines and started a small fire. The rest of the crew were captured.
  5. A bandaged Flt Lt Geoffrey Matheson of No. 222 Squadron surveys the burnt-out remnants of his Spitfire after he had crash-landed near the Sittingbourne Paper Mills on 30 August 1940. The aircraft has exploded shortly after Matheson got the battle-damaged Spitfire on the ground and he was lucky to escape with relatively minor wounds.