Once again four main phases of airfield attacks.

Night: Scattered raids on Liverpool, the Midlands and South Wales.

Weather: Continuing fine and warm. Early-morning mist and fog patches.

Enemy Action by Day

The day began with fine and warm weather, accompanied by early-morning mist and fog patches across southern England. As the sun rose, the Luftwaffe launched a series of heavy, coordinated assaults on key RAF airfields and industrial targets, spread out across four major waves. The evening brought scattered raids across a wide geographic area, with German bombers targeting major cities, airfields and ports well into the early hours.

07:50 Hours: Early Morning Attacks

At approximately 07:50 hours, two formations of around thirty and forty Dornier Do 17s of KG 3 crossed the English coast over Dover and Lympne at 20,000 feet. A third, smaller group came in over Deal at 8,000 feet. These bombers were escorted closely by Bf 110s from ZG 26, while Messerschmitt Bf 109s from JG 51 and JG 53 provided high cover. The formations split inland, striking at Eastchurch, North Weald, Rochford, and Biggin Hill.

Seven RAF squadrons were scrambled to intercept the incoming raid, engaging the main force off the North Kent coast before pursuing it inland, where RAF fighters clashed repeatedly with the German escorts and inflicted mounting losses.

At 08:00 hours, Pilot Officer G. D. Gribble of No. 54 Squadron shot down a Bf 109E-1 (W.Nr. 4807) of 1./JG 51, which crashed at Nethersole Farm; Womenswold. Lt. G. Ruttowski was killed. At the same time, Squadron Leader J. A. Leathart of the same squadron brought down another Bf 109E-1 (W.Nr. 4850) over Maidstone. The aircraft crashed at South Poston, near Leeds Castle; Lt. H. Thorl was captured.

Shortly afterwards, at 08:10 hours, Sergeant W. T. E. Rolls of No. 72 Squadron shot down a Bf 110D-1 (W.Nr. 3309, U8+DK) of 2./ZG 26 while it was escorting bombers. The aircraft crashed at White Horse Wood, Birling. Fw. K. Schutz was killed, while Uffz. H. Stuwe baled out and was captured.

At 08:17 hours, Flying Officer A. A. G. Trueman of No. 253 Squadron and Sergeant J. H. Lacey of No. 501 Squadron combined to shoot down a Bf 109E-1 (W.Nr. 3584, “14+”) of 1./JG 53 during combat over Rochester. The aircraft crashed at Hythe, and Uffz. W. Karl was captured.

At 08:50 hours, a Bf 109 of 3./JG 53 was shot down by No. 501 Squadron and crashed at Bridge Farm Field, Bilsington. The pilot was killed and later buried at Aylesham Cemetery.

Ten minutes later, a Bf 110C-4 (W.Nr. 3536, 3U+GN) of 5./ZG 26 was brought down during combat over the Thames Estuary by fighters of Nos. 72 and 249 Squadrons. The aircraft crashed into the sea off the Nore lightship, and both Fw. K. Rochel and Uffz. W. Schoffler were rescued and captured.

At Biggin Hill, low-flying Dornier bombers mounted another attack. Nevertheless, timely RAF interceptions disrupted the raid, and the damage inflicted was less severe than on previous days.

Meanwhile, Spitfires of Nos. 222 and 603 Squadrons, together with Hurricanes of No. 249 Squadron, intercepted another formation near Hawkinge. One Do 17 was destroyed and another was heavily damaged. At 09:15 hours, Flight Lieutenant R. A. Barton and Pilot Officer J. R. B. Meaker of No. 249 Squadron shot down a Do 17Z-2 (W.Nr. 3629, 5K+BT) of 9./KG 3, on a mission to bomb Eastchurch. The aircraft crashed at Rochford aerodrome. Uffz. K. Hilbrecht was killed, while Oblt. U. Rohr, Uffz. K. Seidel, and Fw. O. Sprink were captured.

Pilot Officer Richard Hillary of No. 603 Squadron also claimed a Bf 109 before his aircraft sustained damage; he nevertheless succeeded in returning safely.

Despite the efforts of RAF fighters, bombs struck the Short Brothers aircraft factory in Rochester, causing extensive damage and civilian casualties. Gravesend Aerodrome was also hit around 08:05 hours by eleven high-explosive bombs, disrupting gas, electricity and communications infrastructure.

12:20 Hours: Heavy Engagements Over Kent and the Thames Estuary

Shortly before 12:20 hours, new raids were plotted as they assembled over the French coast. By the time they crossed the Channel, the attacking force had grown to more than 225 aircraft, advancing in two main waves over Folkestone and North Foreland. Several RAF squadrons were scrambled to intercept. No. 72 Squadron was among the first to engage, meeting a mixed formation of Do 17s and Bf 110s over Margate and Herne Bay. The situation rapidly intensified as more than eighty Bf 109s swept in to reinforce the German formations.

At 12:45 hours, a Bf 110D/0 (W.Nr. 3629, A2+KL) of 6./ZG 2 was shot down by Flight Sergeant J. Steere of No. 72 Squadron. The aircraft crashed at Vensons Farm, Eastry. Fw. L. Beil and Obgfr. J. Oehl were both killed.

Fifteen minutes later, Flight Lieutenant E. Graham of the same squadron brought down a Bf 110C-4 (W.Nr. 3622, 3M+HK) of 2./ZG 2. The aircraft crashed at Hougham, near Dover, and Lt. G. Schipper and Gefr. T. Schockenhoff were captured.

During intense combat over Herne Bay, Spitfire K9938 of No. 72 Squadron was shot down by a Bf 110 and crashed at Garrington Farm, near Bekesbourne, where it burst into flames. Sergeant N. R. Norfolk survived without injury. Elsewhere, No. 603 Squadron was engaged by more than seventy Bf 109s near Sheerness and, despite being heavily outnumbered, fought with determination.

At 12:55 hours, Pilot Officer J. S. Morton of No. 603 Squadron shot down a Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 1574) of III./JG 54 during combat over Sheerness. The aircraft crashed at Mountain Street, Chilham, and Oblt. E. Schelcher was killed; his remains were not recovered until 1977.

At 13:10 hours, a Bf 109E-1 (W.Nr. 3861) of 9./JG 2 was brought down by anti-aircraft fire over Tilbury and crashed at Streets Farm, Ulcombe. Lt. W. Kluge was killed while attempting to bale out at too low an altitude. He was buried at All Saints Church, Ulcombe.

Three minutes later, at 13:13 hours, Sergeant G. W. Jefferys of No. 43 Squadron shot down a Bf 109E-1 (W.Nr. 6115) of 4./JG 2 during combat over Ashford. The aircraft crashed at Cale Hill Park, Little Chart, and Uffz. A. Glomb was captured.

At 13:30 hours, a Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 1452, “12+-”) of the same unit was brought down by Flight Lieutenant R. C. Reynell of No. 43 Squadron. The aircraft crashed at West Hythe, near Lympne Castle, and Uffz. E. von Stein was captured.

Pilot Officer C.A. Woods-Scawen of No. 43 Squadron was shot down during combat with Bf 109s and attempted to bale out, but his parachute deployed too late and he was killed. His Hurricane, V7420, crashed at Fryland near Ivychurch. Tragically, his older brother, Patrick, had been killed just the day before. The Woods-Scawen brothers were the only siblings killed in action during the Battle of Britain. Both were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for their service.

Inland, a separate formation bombed Brooklands, damaging facilities used for Vickers Wellington production. Meanwhile, other groups struck Cuxton, where the Shorts Aircraft Works suffered damage to its drawing offices.

16:12 Hours: Late Afternoon Raids

At 16:12 hours, a force of approximately 250 German aircraft crossed the coast near Dungeness and Deal. The bomber formations, with their fighter escorts, fanned out across Kent and Essex to strike multiple targets. One group attacked Hornchurch at 16:40 hours, where six bombs fell on the airfield, causing only limited structural damage. Nearby, AA Brigade Headquarters was also affected, while further raids were directed against Detling and Eastchurch.

Around the same time, a Bf 110C (W.Nr. 3226, M8+DM) of 4./ZG 76 was shot down by Flight Lieutenant D. G. Parnall of No. 249 Squadron. The aircraft crashed at Frith Farm, Billericay; Oblt. K. Wrede and Uffz. R. Kukawka were both killed.

Shortly afterwards, at 16:45 hours, Flight Lieutenant H. B. L. Hillcoat of No. 1 Squadron brought down a Bf 109E-1 (W.Nr. 3470, “2+”) of 8./JG 54 during combat over Dungeness. The aircraft crashed at Finns Farm, Kingsnorth, near Ashford, and Uffz. H. Elbers was captured.

At Debden, the airfield sustained severe damage, forcing the establishment of an emergency operations room in a chalk pit outside Saffron Walden. Eastchurch, meanwhile, was subjected to repeated attacks. During the first raid, a dump containing 350 250-lb bombs exploded, damaging administrative buildings, destroying the NAAFI, and rendering much of the airfield unusable. A subsequent raid inflicted further damage on a hangar. As a result, Eastchurch was declared non-operational and evacuated.

No. 603 Squadron was redeployed to protect Hornchurch during these attacks. Although many bombs missed the target, damage was still inflicted. No. 72 Squadron, after repeated sorties, returned to action once more, describing the day in their logbook simply as:

“…a hell of a day.”

Evening Attacks and Final Assaults

At 17:20 hours, another major raid crossed the Channel from Calais. The formation fanned out over East Kent and the Thames Estuary. Thirty bombers struck Detling, causing extensive damage—an estimated 100 bombs were dropped. The ‘C’ Flight hangar was destroyed, and the airfield was rendered inoperable for three hours. Eastchurch was hit again shortly thereafter.

At 17:25 hours, another wave targeted Hornchurch, comprising approximately fifty bombers, escorted by around forty Bf 109s. No. 303 (Polish) Squadron intercepted the retreating formation near Dover. Sergeant Rogowski downed a Bf 109, which crashed into the sea ten miles off the French coast, while Flight Officer Henneberg and Sergeant Frantiszek pursued additional aircraft across the coast, scoring hits but breaking off due to intense anti-aircraft fire.

At 17:40 hours, Pilot Officer C. F. Ambrose of No. 46 Squadron shot down a Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 1261, “12+”) of 1./JG 52 during combat over Eastchurch. The aircraft crashed at Tile Lodge Farm, Hoath near Canterbury, and Feldwebel H. Verlings was captured.

The final daylight raid occurred at 18:00 hours, with eighty aircraft patrolling between North Foreland and Dungeness. This force did not penetrate inland and returned to France by 18:30 hours. Strong Luftwaffe patrols continued over the Channel.

Losses and Fighter Engagements

RAF Fighter Command lost fourteen aircraft, with four pilots killed. The Luftwaffe lost thirty-seven aircraft—many of them Bf 110s from Epr.Gr 210. A downed bomber was found carrying hand grenades, apparently intended for use against pursuing fighters.

Among the German Experten scoring kills on 2 September were Fw. Rudolf Täschner of 1./JG 2, bringing his total to six victories; Ofw. Erich Rudorffer of 2./JG 2, who reached fourteen; Fw. Heinz Bär of 1./JG 51 with eight; Hptm. Wolfgang Lippert of 3./JG 53, whose tally rose to eleven. Fw. Erwin Leykauf of 7./JG 54 with five; and Oblt. Wilhelm Herget of 7./ZG 76, who also added to his score. Ofw. Erich Kuhlmann of 3./JG 53 achieved his fourth victory before being shot down.

Enemy Action by Night

German night activity was widespread and less focused than in recent nights. By dusk, bombers were active along the East Coast from the Wash to the Tyne (mostly mine-laying), while others struck Derby, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, and Swansea. From 22:00 to 00:30 hours, multiple waves crossed the coast between Beachy Head and Swanage.

Bristol and Liverpool were attacked by He 111s of II./KG 27 and II./KG 55. In Swansea, 134 high-explosive and numerous incendiary bombs caused extensive damage, including the destruction of the Great Western Railway station and four grain warehouses.

A convoy off Kinnairds Head called for help at 22:40 hours after German aircraft damaged two steamers.

Göring’s Visit and a Captured Spitfire

Meanwhile, at a Luftwaffe airfield on the continent, Reichsmarschall Göring berated his fighter leaders—including Galland and Mölders—over the bombers’ mounting losses. When asked what they needed, Mölders requested better engines for the Bf 109. Galland famously quipped:

“Ich bitte um die Ausrüstung meines Geschwaders mit Spitfire.” (“I should like an outfit of Spitfires for my squadron.”)

Coincidentally, that same day, Sgt. Alfie Summers of No. 603 Squadron mistakenly landed his Spitfire (P7351) in France after getting disoriented in combat. The aircraft was captured intact and sent by Göring to Galland with ironic intent:

“Here is your first Spitfire—let us see what Galland will do with it!”

Galland, undeterred, painted it in his unit’s markings.

Ground Damage and Civilian Casualties

At Cuxton, the Shorts Aircraft Works sustained damage to its drawing offices, while at Tilbury, bombs struck the New Dry Dock and surrounding facilities, causing further disruption. In Maidstone, a bombing raid around 13:00 hours resulted in widespread destruction and prompted the evacuation of twenty-five families. Incendiary bombs caused fires in the Import Dock at Blyth, and at Catterick, an unusual 100-kg incendiary device resembling an oil drum was dropped near the aerodrome. Civilian casualties for the day totaled 51 killed and 247 injured, though no RAF personnel were reported to have been killed or wounded on the ground.

German Losses:
Airmen: 31 | Aircraft: 37

British Losses:
Airmen: 4 | Aircraft: 14

Hurricane P3875, No. 111 Squadron
Sgt. Sgt W.L. Dymond. Listed as missing. Shot down while in combat. Body never found.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Dymond.htm

Hurricane V7420, No. 43 Squadron
P/O C.A. Woods-Scawen killed. Aircraft caught fire after combat with Bf 109 and pilot baled out too low.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Woods-ScawenCA.htm

Hurricane L1578, No 501 Squadron
F/O A.T. Rose-Price. Listed as missing. Failed to return to base after combat action.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Rose-Price.htm

Hurricane P3067, No. 46 Squadron
P/O J.C.L.D. Bailey killed. Shot down while engaged in combat with enemy. Was not seen to bale out.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/BaileyJCLD.htm

Photo Descriptions

1. Spitfires of Nos. 222 and 603 Squadrons at RAF Hornchurch, September 1940.
2. A formation of Dornier Do 17Z bombers in flight during the Battle of Britain.
3. Heinkel He 111 bombers over the English Channel, 1940. Bundesarchiv, Bild 141-0678 / CC-BY-SA 3.0.
4. British soldiers stand guard over the wreckage of Bf 110C (W.Nr. 3226, M8+DM) of 4./ZG 76 at Frith Farm, Laindon Road, Billericay, after it was shot down at 16:40 hours by Flight Lieutenant D. G. Parnall of No. 249 Squadron. Oberleutnant K. Wrede and Unteroffizier R. Kukawka were both killed.
5. Bruno Loerzer, Hermann Göring, and Adolf Galland during an inspection of a Luftwaffe airfield, September 1940. Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-343-0674-16 / Boger / CC-BY-SA 3.0.