Göring in conference following the previous day’s losses. German effort to be switched against Fighter Command. Only minor air activity.
Night: Continuous attacks against London. Smaller raids on Merseyside and the Midlands.
Weather: General rain and cloud.
Main Activity:
During the 16th the weather precluded any heavy attacks and from the few small raids which penetrated to east London, nine German aircraft were shot down for the loss of one RAF pilot. The dull weather was lightened for both sides by the solemn announcement in the German war communiqué that Göring himself had flown over London in a Ju 88. Apart from lacking the courage for such an enterprise, it was a physical impossibility, as the Reichsmarschall’s girth precluded him getting through the door of a Ju 88, and even in the four-motor Condor he had to have a special wide seat with thigh supports.
Excerpt from The Narrow Margin by Derek Wood & Derek Dempster
German Losses
Airmen: 14 | Aircraft: 10
British Losses
Airmen: 0 | Aircraft: 1
Photo Descriptions:
- The remains of a Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 of I/JG 52 being transported on the back of a civilian lorry, September 1940. Note the I Gruppe ‘running boar’ insignia on the cowling. © IWM (HU 73750)
- A Spitfire of No. 19 Squadron is refuelled at Fowlmere, near Duxford, September 1940. © IWM (CH 1372)
- Flight Sergeant Unwin, Flight Lieutenant Lawson and Sergeant Lloyd of No. 19 Squadron at Fowlmere, September 1940. © IWM (CH 1368)
- The Intelligence Officer of No. 19 Squadron RAF (back to the camera) receives pilots’ accounts of a sortie at Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire. The pilots are (left to right): Squadron Leader B J E ‘Sandy’ Lane (Squadron Commanding Officer), Flight-Lieutenant W J ‘Farmer’ Lawson and Sergeant D Lloyd. © IWM (CH 1371)
- Squadron Leader Brian ‘Sandy’ Lane, CO of No. 19 Squadron (centre) confers with Flight Lieutenant Walter ‘Farmer’ Lawson and Flight Sergeant George ‘Grumpy Unwin at Fowlmere near Duxford, September 1940. © IWM (CH 1366)