Shipping attacked off Norfolk coast and the Channel. Yeovil bombed.
Night: Minelaying.
Weather: Low cloud.
Main Activity:
At 1130 hours, two Spitfires from No. 603 Squadron shot down an He 111 from 2./KG 26, which had been despatched from Norway to bomb an airfield just north of the Firth of Forth. The bomber crashed into the sea some 50 miles offshore.
At 1330 hours, Hurricanes of No. 213 Squadron intercepted a reconnaissance Do 17 north of Portland, inflicting damage. One Hurricane was shot down by return fire.
At 1350 hours, a small number of Ju 88 bombers from LG 1 bombed the Westlands Aircraft Works at Yeovil, damaging hangers and runways. A Spitfire from No. 92 Squadron, based at Pembrey, intercepted and shot down one of the bombers.
At 1413 hours, fifteen Do 17 bombers of KG 2 attacked the convoy codenamed PILOT in the Channel but they were driven off by Hurricanes of Nos. 56 and 151 Squadrons from North Weald. The SS Heworth (2,855 tons) and the Polish cargo vessel Zbaraz were sunk.
German Losses
Airmen: 6 | Aircraft: 5
British Losses
Airmen: 0 | Aircraft: 1
Photo Descriptions:
- A flight of Hawker Hurricane Mark Is of No. 151 Squadron RAF take off from North Weald, Essex, while beneath them, Hurricanes of 56 Squadron RAF taxy to the northern end of the main runway. Behind them can be seen the wireless masts of the GPO radio station at Weald Gullet. © IWM (CH 162)
- Line-up of Spitfires of No. 65 Squadron, presented by the East India Fund, 15 July 1940. © IWM (CH 594)