Three main attacks, largely broken up.
Night: Harassing raids.
Weather: Fine, but cooler. Haze in the Straits and Thames Estuary.
Enemy Action by Day
Fine, but cooler, weather prevailed, with haze in the Straits and Thames Estuary. After Bomber Command’s recent raid on Berlin, RAF commanders anticipated retaliatory strikes. Air Vice-Marshal Keith Park, mindful of the threat to aircraft production, requested additional protection over key industrial sites. No. 609 Squadron was assigned to patrol the Thames Valley, but as they refuelled at base, Bf 110s slipped through and bombed the Hawker factory at Brooklands. Damage was light, but it underscored the vulnerability of Britain’s vital fighter output.
08:40–09:50 Hours: First Major Attack
At 08:40 hours, the Luftwaffe launched the first major assault of the day. A force of approximately 300 aircraft—including Ju 88s, Bf 110s, and Bf 109s—crossed the Kent coast between Dover and Dungeness. The raiding formations fanned out inland, heading for key targets at Biggin Hill, Thameshaven, and North Weald. This marked the beginning of a prolonged aerial engagement over southeast England.
Fighter Command responded with a large-scale defensive scramble. Hurricanes of Nos. 1 (Northolt), 73 (Debden), 111 (Croydon), 249 (North Weald), 253 (Kenley), 303 (Northolt, Polish), 501 (Gravesend), and 601 (Tangmere) Squadrons were dispatched to intercept the incoming formations, supported by Spitfires of Nos. 41 (Hornchurch), 234, and 609 (both Middle Wallop) Squadrons. Within minutes, fierce engagements had erupted across a vast stretch of sky extending from the Thames Estuary to Maidstone.
At 09:00 hours, Flying Officer J. Topolnicki of No. 601 Squadron shot down a Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 5044, “<+”) of JG 2 during combat over Headcorn. The aircraft crashed at Plumtree Farm, and Lt. M. Himmelheber was captured after baling out. Four minutes later, Pilot Officers R. H. Dibnah and G. E. Goodman of No. 1 Squadron destroyed a Bf 110D/0 (W.Nr. 3373, S9+BH) of 1./Erpr.Gr. 210 during combat over Redhill. The aircraft crashed at Flow Meadow, Foyle Farm, Crowhurst; Uffz. G. Ruger was killed, while Gefr. E. Ernst baled out and was captured.
No. 303 (Polish) Squadron intercepted a bomber formation near Kenley but was caught at a disadvantage when Bf 109s from III./JG 27 dived on them from a superior altitude. The Polish squadron, vectored in mid-climb and exposed, suffered heavily: five Hurricanes were lost in the engagement. Among those downed were Squadron Leader Ronald Kellet, Major Zdzisław Krasnodębski, and Sgt. Karubin—all of whom survived but were wounded after baling out. Sgt. Rogowski was also forced down in a damaged aircraft. Flight Lieutenant Forbes managed to shoot down one Bf 109 and damage another before crash-landing himself, wounded by exposure to fuel fumes pouring into the cockpit.
Despite the squadron’s losses, the Polish pilots gave a strong account of themselves. With both the British and Polish commanders incapacitated, AVM Keith Park appointed Urbanowicz as acting commander of the squadron later that day.
At 09:15 hours, a Ju 88A (W.Nr. 8104, F1+HP) of 6./KG 76, already damaged by anti-aircraft fire over Hastings, was shot down by Flight Lieutenant M. H. Brown and Pilot Officer C. M. Stavert of No. 1 Squadron together with Sgt. S. Karubin of No. 303 Squadron. The aircraft force-landed at Tanyards Farm near Tonbridge; Lt. J. Kernbach, Oberfw. W. Schumacher, Gefr. R. Riesel, and Uffz. H. Agel were all captured.
Ten minutes later, another Ju 88A (W.Nr. 3176, F1+LP) of the same unit was destroyed during combat over Kenley by a combination of anti-aircraft fire and attacks by Pilot Officer R. W. Clarke of No. 79 Squadron and Flying Officer B. H. Bowring of No. 111 Squadron. The aircraft crashed into the sea off Littlestone. Uffz. H. Haenel and Obergefr. H. Kohn were killed, while Oberlt. R. Wagner and Uffz. F. Geyer were reported missing, believed killed.
German losses continued to mount during the running engagements.
At 09:20 hours, Flight Lieutenant P. B. Robinson of No. 601 Squadron shot down a Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 2762, “6+-”) of 5./JG 27 during combat over London. The aircraft crashed at Bank Farm, Tudeley; Fw. E. Braun baled out and was captured.
Moments later, a Bf 110C-4 (W.Nr. 2145, 3U+CA) of ZG 26 crashed into the Channel off Dover following a technical failure. Oblt. F. Viertel survived and was captured after baling out, while Uffz. R. Roth was lost at sea; his body was recovered on 30 October 1940.
At 09:30 hours, Sgt. M. C. B. Boddington of No. 234 Squadron brought down a Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 2781) of 7./JG 26 during combat over Ashford. Oblt. Hans-Martin Christinecke force-landed at Hothfield and was captured.
Five minutes later, a Bf 110C-4 (W.Nr. 2146, U8+CL) of 3./ZG 26 was shot down by No. 111 Squadron during combat over Kenley. The aircraft crashed at Cannons Hill, Coulsdon; Uffz. C. Kiehn was killed, while Uffz. E. Neuz baled out and was captured.
At 09:40 hours, Flight Lieutenant P. C. Hughes and Pilot Officer J. Żurakowski of No. 234 Squadron shot down a Bf 109E-1 (“5+I”) of 7./JG 26 during combat near Beachy Head. The aircraft crashed at Swamp Farm, Old Romney. British troops reached the burning wreckage but were unable to extract the pilot due to the intense heat. In an act of grim mercy, they were forced to shoot the airman to end his suffering. It is believed—though not definitively confirmed—that this pilot was Gefr. Holzapfel, whose burial was later marked at New Folkestone Cemetery as an “Unknown German Airman.”
During the same phase of the fighting, a Bf 110D/0 (W.Nr. 3405, 3U+HR) of 7./ZG 26 was brought down by Flight Lieutenant J. I. Kilmartin and Squadron Leader C. B. Hull of No. 43 Squadron during combat between Tenterden and Bexhill. The aircraft crashed into the sea off Bexhill. The body of Fw. L. Kaufmann was later recovered on 28 September, while Gefr. G. Schumann’s body washed ashore at Sandgate on 6 October and was buried at Folkestone New Cemetery, Hawkinge.
Later in the morning, at 11:30 hours, Flying Officer W. Urbanowicz, Pilot Officer M. Feric, and Sgt. J. František of No. 303 Squadron combined to shoot down a Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 1138) of 3./JG 52 during combat over Sevenoaks. The aircraft crashed at Stone Street, and Oblt. H. Waller baled out and was captured.
JG 27 sustained further losses during the fighting, with Uffz. Ernst Nittmann of 7./JG 27 and Oblt. Werner Schüller of 3./JG 27 both captured. Over Kent, Lt. Karl-Heinz Metz of 8./JG 2 collided with the aircraft of Fw. Kurt Goltzsch and was taken prisoner, while Oblt. Adolf-Friedrich von Götz of 1./JG 2 was reported missing in action.
As the bomber formations pressed on, Thameshaven was again struck, though the attack was partially disrupted by Hurricanes of No. 73 Squadron. P/O H.W. Eliot was shot down during the interception and bailed out. The refinery, still smouldering from earlier attacks, was again targeted but sustained only limited additional damage.
Elsewhere, scattered bombs fell across Kent and Surrey. The Southern Railway lines to Caterham and Oxted were temporarily blocked by bomb craters, briefly halting rail traffic. Bombs also landed near Weybridge, causing minor damage to the Hawker Aircraft Factory—where half of all Hurricanes were being produced—and to Pobjoy’s aircraft engine facility at Rochester. Despite the accuracy of some German formations, the overall effectiveness of the bombing was limited, and production continued with little disruption.
12:55–14:00 Hours: Second Major Attack
Around 200 German aircraft crossed the same coastal area between Dover and Dungeness shortly before 13:00 hours. Some penetrated inland toward Debden and Hornchurch, but the majority concentrated their efforts over Kent and Sussex. Biggin Hill was once again a primary target, but most bombs overshot the airfield and landed along Westerham Road, severing the recently repaired trunk communications cables that linked the operations block with other sector airfields. Although the physical damage to the airfield was minimal, the disruption to command and control was significant and required urgent repairs.
Other bombs fell near Caterham and Oxted, temporarily blocking Southern Railway lines, and additional explosions were reported at Leatherhead and Chertsey, causing minor property damage and severing overhead power cables. At Dymchurch, several high-explosive bombs struck a residential area, damaging two bungalows and setting off a small fire. It is believed the intended target may have been Littlestone Landing Ground, but the bombs fell short.
The attacking formations were met by determined RAF resistance. Spitfires of Nos. 72, 234, 602, and 603 Squadrons were scrambled to intercept, supported by Hurricanes of No. 303 (Polish) Squadron. JG 26 became heavily involved in the fighting: III./JG 26 conducted a freie Jagd sweep ahead of the bombers, I./JG 26 provided close escort, and II./JG 26 operated as high cover.
As a formation of fifteen Bf 110s, accompanied by escorting Bf 109s, approached Dover, they were intercepted by Spitfires of No. 234 Squadron. A fierce engagement followed, during which II./JG 26 claimed four RAF fighters destroyed without suffering losses of its own. Among the successful German pilots were Hptm. Erich Bode and Oblt. Kurt Ebersberger, each of whom claimed a Spitfire.
No. 303 Squadron also reported considerable success during the fighting, claiming two bombers and five Bf 109s destroyed.
17:30–18:45 Hours: Third Attack
Around 17:30 hours, two formations of roughly fifty aircraft each crossed the coast over Maidstone, advancing toward the Thames Estuary with Hornchurch as their likely objective. Spitfires of Nos. 41 and 222 Squadrons from Hornchurch, together with Hurricanes of No. 111 Squadron from Croydon, were scrambled to intercept. The German force consisted mainly of Bf 109s and Bf 110s, accompanied by only a small number of bombers.
Though the engagement was brief and scattered due to the fading light and haze over the Estuary, several running dogfights developed.
At 17:35 hours, Pilot Officer J. N. MacKenzie of No. 41 Squadron shot down a Bf 109E-1 (W.Nr. 6318, “8+”) of 7./JG 27 during combat over Canterbury. The aircraft force-landed at Blean, and Uffz. E. Nittmann was captured.
Twenty-five minutes later, Pilot Officer G. H. Bennions of No. 41 Squadron destroyed a Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 1129) of 8./JG 53 during combat over Chatham. The aircraft crashed on Kingsnorth Marshes, and Fw. E. Hempel was killed after baling out.
At 18:02 hours, Flight Lieutenant E. N. Ryder of No. 41 Squadron brought down a Bf 109E (W.Nr. 1380) of 3./JG 27 near Shoeburyness. The fighter crashed into the Thames Estuary; Hptm. Joachim Schlichting, Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG 27, baled out near the Shoeburyness artillery ranges and was captured. A veteran of the Condor Legion, Schlichting was also the son-in-law of Generalfeldmarschall Erhard Milch.
Further losses followed almost immediately. At 18:14 hours, a Bf 109E-7 (“^+C”) of 6./LG 2 was brought down by anti-aircraft fire over Chatham and force-landed at Hawkinge, where Fw. W. Gottschalk was captured. One minute later, another Bf 109E-7 (“^+O”) of 4./LG 2 crashed into the sea off the Nore after also being hit by anti-aircraft fire; Lt. H. Gultgen was rescued and captured.
At 18:15 hours, Pilot Officer Bennions claimed a second victory when he shot down a Bf 109E-1 (W.Nr. 3225, “11+”) of 3./JG 27 during combat over the Thames Estuary. Oblt. W. Schüller baled out near the Nore Boom and was captured.
No significant damage was reported on the ground, indicating that the German formations either jettisoned their bombs prematurely or failed to reach their intended targets.
A Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 1506, “5+I”) of 7./JG 53 was severely damaged in combat with Spitfires of Nos. 41 and 222 Squadrons over Dover. The pilot, Unteroffizier Hans-Georg Schulte, attempted to land at RAF Manston but instead made a forced landing at Vincent’s Farm, just north of the airfield, where he was captured unhurt. Schulte had earlier claimed a Spitfire, believed to be his eighth and final victory. His aircraft was recovered and examined by RAF intelligence, contributing to assessments of the Bf 109’s performance and modifications at this stage of the campaign.
Enemy Action by Night
Enemy air activity over Britain on the night of 6th to 7th September was markedly reduced in scale compared to recent nights, though its psychological and physical impact was not insignificant. Beginning at approximately 20:15 hours, a limited number of bombing raids crossed the Thames Estuary and Kent corridor toward London. These continued sporadically until shortly after midnight, with no further incursions plotted after 00:30 hours.
Bombs fell on several districts in the capital. West Ham was struck, with damage reported to houses, railway lines, and the Victoria Docks, resulting in 55 civilian casualties. Additional bombings occurred across Woolwich, Southwark, and parts of southeast London, where more than 70 injuries were recorded. No further attacks occurred in the capital after these initial raids.
Elsewhere, isolated incursions were tracked through the Midlands and South Wales, though Luftwaffe aircraft largely avoided inland penetration after 01:00 hours. Activity between then and 04:00 hours was minimal. Mine-laying operations were suspected along the East Coast, stretching as far north as the Humber, while at 21:15 hours, two separate raids were plotted off the coast of Aberdeenshire in the vicinity of two coastal convoys.
German Spy Incident
One of the more unusual incidents occurred during the early morning hours when a German agent parachuted into Northamptonshire. The man, later identified as Gösta Caroli—a Swedish national trained by the German Abwehr—landed near Yardley Hastings at around 03:00 hours. Injured during landing when his wireless set broke his fall, he was found lying in a ditch by a local farmer and subsequently arrested near Denton. Caroli was in possession of a British identity card, a Swedish passport, a loaded automatic pistol, and a functioning wireless transceiver. His mission, he claimed, was to report on bomb damage to RAF airfields and aerodromes.
RAF and Home Defence Readiness
As night fell, RAF commanders were increasingly aware of the strain facing Fighter Command. A week of relentless combat had depleted reserves of both pilots and machines. Losses far outpaced replacements—only 91 Hurricanes and Spitfires had been produced the previous week, against 137 aircraft destroyed and 11 seriously damaged. Since late August, 295 RAF fighters had been lost, with another 171 severely damaged. Casualties included 103 pilots killed and 128 wounded. Entire squadrons were diminished; No. 85 Squadron at Croydon, for example, had seen 14 of its 18 pilots had been shot down within two weeks, two of them twice. With frontline squadrons often reduced to only 16 pilots instead of the required 26, the strain was acute.
On the ground, the situation remained grim. Manston and Lympne airfields were effectively out of action, and Biggin Hill—under near-daily attack—was reduced to operating only one squadron at a time. Six of the seven key sector airfields had suffered extensive damage, with telecommunications infrastructure proving especially vulnerable. Radar coverage was impaired, operating at roughly 75 percent effectiveness, while morale among the exhausted pilots and ground crews wavered.
Meanwhile, at RAF Fighter Command Headquarters at Bentley Priory, the King and Queen paid a morale-boosting visit, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the importance of the struggle being fought in the skies above southern England.
That same evening, Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding addressed the RAF’s deteriorating condition in a high-level meeting. He categorised squadrons into three readiness levels: “A” for those at the front line, including most of No. 11 Group and active units in 10 and 12 Groups; “B” for squadrons not on the front line but ready to deploy; and “C” for those deemed exhausted or unfit for combat. Dowding acknowledged the growing toll, stating,
“We have squadrons that have been involved in combat from first light right through until dusk… These men are not immortal; they are human beings. Day after day of prolonged combat has made them tired and they are exhausted. We cannot win if we have pilots who cannot even stand up.”
That night, the Home Forces issued Alert No. 3: “Invasion probable within three days.”
German High Command
In Europe, the Luftwaffe’s high command was also shifting. That evening, Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring hosted a lavish banquet for his air fleet commanders aboard his private train, Asia, stationed on a siding located between Calais and Boulogne. Addressing his officers over French wines and delicacies, Göring declared that he would personally assume leadership of the air offensive. In a broadcast to the German people, he proclaimed,
“This moment is a historic one… The Führer has decided to order a mighty blow to be struck in revenge against the capital of the British Empire. I personally have assumed the leadership of this attack…”
Though the Luftwaffe’s presence over Britain was quieter than usual that night, preparations were clearly underway for a far more significant onslaught.
German Losses:
Airmen: 36 | Aircraft: 33
British Losses:
Airmen: 7 | Aircraft: 20
Hurricane V6612, No. 501 Squadron
P/O H.C. Adams killed. Shot down during combat and crashed at Eltham.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/AdamsHC.htm
Hurricane V6646, No. 501 Squadron
Sgt O.V. Houghton killed. Shot down during combat and crashed at Charing.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/HoughtonOV.htm
Hurricane P3516, No. 501 Squadron
Sgt G.W. Pearson killed. Shot down in combat and crashed at Hothfield. Originally unidentified. Crash site now certified.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/PearsonGW.htm
Spitfire X4036, No. 234 Squadron
P/O W.H.G. Gordon killed. Shot down by Bf 109 and crashed on farm at Hadlow Down.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/GordonWHG.htm
Hurricane P3032, No. 253 Squadron
F/L W.P. Cambridge killed. Circumstances unknown. Baled out of aircraft but dead when found.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Cambridge.htm
Hurricane P3363, No. 601 Squadron
F/L C.R. Davis killed. Shot down by Bf 109. Crashed and burnt out in back garden of cottage.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/as-davis.htm
Hurricane P8818, No. 601 Squadron
F/L W.H. Rhodes-Moorehouse killed. Crashed at Southborough after combat with Bf 109s.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Rhodes-Moorhouse.htm
Spitfire X4260, No. 603 Squadron
P/O J.R Caister. Captured and made POW. Shot down by Bf 109. Force landed behind Calais.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Caister.htm
Photo Descriptions
- Messerschmitt Bf 110C-4 (W.Nr. 2146, U8+CL) of 3 Staffel./Zerstoerergeschwader 26 crashed at 9:35 AM on Cannons Hill in Coulsdon, Surrey on 6 September 1940 after a brief fight with No. 111 Squadron Hurricanes during escort duty for ErproGr.210 over RAF Kenley. The pilot Unteroffizier Christoph Kiehn was killed while the wireless operator Unteroffizier Egon Neuss baled out at low level and was captured.
- P/O J.R Caister’s damaged Spitfire after force-landing in Calais on 6 September 1940. Caister can be seen with a bandaged head.
- Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 1506, “5+I”) of 7./JG 53 after making a forced landing at Vincent’s Farm, near Manston, Kent, on 6 September 1940. Its pilot, Unteroffizier Hans-Georg Schulte, was captured unhurt.
- The same Bf 109E-4 (5+I, W.Nr. 1506) of 7./JG 53 being hoisted into position in Sheffield for public exhibition.
- Unteroffizier Schulte’s captured Bf 109E-4 on display in Sheffield to raise funds for the war effort.