Shipping off the south coast attacked.
Night: Minelaying the whole length of the eastern seaboard.
Weather: Straits fair; Channel cloudy. Light westerly winds in both. Bright intervals between showers in the east.
Main Activity:
At approximately 0730 hours, three Hurricanes from No. 145 Squadron intercepted a Dornier Do 17P reconnaissance aircraft from 4.(F)/121. The Hurricanes engaged and successfully shot down the enemy aircraft, sending it crashing into the sea roughly 20 miles south of Selsey.
German Losses
Airmen: 6 | Aircraft: 4
British Losses
Airmen: 1 | Aircraft: 2
Hurricane P3895, No. 85 Squadron. Aircraft destroyed.
P/O J. L. Bickerdike killed. Crashed on approach to Castle Camps satellite airfield.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Bickerdike.htm
Photo Descriptions:
- Hawker Hurricane Mk I, serial unknown SO-E, of No. 145 Squadron, 1940.
- Spitfire Mk I GR-A after a landing accident at RAF Pembrey on 22 July 1940. The pilot, Sgt. Ronald H “Ronnie” Fokes, was returning from a night sortie when the port undercarriage leg collapsed. At the time, No. 92 Squadron used the code GR when based at the airfield and QJ when stationed at RAF Biggin Hill.
- Hawker Hurricane Mk I, P2923, VY-R, flown by Pilot Officer A G Lewis of No. 85 Squadron, landing at Castle Camps, RAF Debden’s satellite airfield, July 1940. This aircraft was lost in action on 25 August 1940. © IWM HU 54416