Convoy off Dover raided.

Night: Activity on a reduced scale over land.

Weather: Fair all over Britain. Thames Estuary and Dover hazy.

Main Activity:

At 0734 hours, a large formation comprising forty-eight Ju 87 Stuka dive-bombers from IV/LG 1, II/StG 1, and II/StG 3, escorted by eighty Bf 109s from JG 51 and III/JG 26, crossed the Channel to attack Dover Harbour. Spitfires from Nos. 41 and 64 Squadrons along with Hurricanes from Nos. 56 and 501 Squadrons were scrambled to intercept, shooting down three Stukas and damaging six other German aircraft including four Bf 109s, which crash-landed in France. Two RAF fighters were lost and several more damaged. The steamer SS Gronland and patrol yacht Gulzar were sunk by the Stukas. HMS Sandhurst was also destroyed.

At 1300 hours, a small formation of Ju 88s from II/KG 76 attacked trawlers off Dungeness at very low level. No damage was caused but one bomber was destroyed when it flew into a barrage balloon cable and another was shot down by anti-aircraft fire.

At about 1720 hours, eleven Bf 110 fighter-bombers from ErprGr 210, escorted by thirty Bf 110 fighters of ZG 26, attacked the convoy codenamed CAT off Harwich. Several RAF squadrons were scrambled to intercept but only Hurricanes of No. 151 Squadron engaged. Two Hurricanes were damaged and force-landed. A Bf 110 fighter-bomber was also damaged. Two ships in the convoy were hit.

German Losses
Airmen: 25 | Aircraft: 11

British Losses
Airmen: 3 | Aircraft: 6

Spitfire N3038, No. 41 Squadron. Aircraft Lost.
F/O D.R. Gamblen. Missing. Disappeared over Dover.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Gamblen.htm

Hurricane L1955 , No. 43 Squadron. Crashed and burnt out.
P/O K.C. Campbell. Killed.

Hurricane P3879, No. 56 Squadron. Crashed and exploded in the Channel off Dover.
F/Sgt C.J. Cooney. Killed. Shot down by Bf 109.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Cooney.htm

Photo Descriptions:

  1. Dover Harbour under air attack by Ju 87 Stuka dive-bombers on 29 July 1940.
  2. HMS Sandhurst burning in Dover Harbour on 29 July 1940 after being bombed. Alongside is the broken wreck of HMS Codrington.
  3. Pilots of ‘B’ Flight, No. 32 Squadron relax on the grass at RAF Hawkinge in front of Hurricane Mk I P3522, GZ-V, 29 July 1940. From left to right: Pilot Officer R F Smythe; Pilot Officer K R Gillman; Pilot Officer J E Procter; Flight Lieutenant P M Brothers; Pilot Officer D H Grice; Pilot Officer P M Gardner and Pilot Officer A F Eckford. All survived the war except Keith Gillman who was posted missing 25 August 1940. © IWM (HU 54418)
  4. Three Hurricanes of No. 32 Squadron taxying for take-off at Hawkinge, 29 July 1940. The centre aircraft is N2459, normally flown by Pilot Officer ‘Grubby’ Grice. © IWM (HU 69116)
  5. Hawker Hurricane Mk I P3522 of No. 32 Squadron, flown by Pilot Officer Rupert Smythe, taxying at Hawkinge, 29 July 1940. © IWM (HU 54417)
  6. Spitfire pilots of No. 610 Squadron relaxing between sorties at ‘A’ Flight dispersal at Hawkinge, 29 July 1940. © IWM (HU 1062)