Mixed force of bombers and fighters attacked Yeovil.

Night: Major raids on London and Merseyside. Lesser attacks from Harwich to Newcastle and the Firth of Forth.

Weather: Occasional showers. Visibility fair with variable cloud.

Enemy Action by Day

German reconnaissance and patrol activity began shortly after dawn. Between 07:00 and 08:00 hours, several Luftwaffe aircraft scouted the Straits, East Kent, and the Thames Estuary. Additional reconnaissance missions were observed over Weymouth Bay, Lyme Bay, and South Sussex by mid-morning. These early flights helped set the stage for a sequence of determined attacks that would stretch into the evening.

At 09:20 hours, the first major raid developed when approximately 127 aircraft—comprising Bf 109s and Bf 110s—crossed the Channel into southeast England. This force operated under the familiar three-to-one fighter-to-bomber ratio and pushed inland as far as Gravesend and East London. No. 11 Group scrambled sixteen squadrons in response. Hurricanes of Nos. 303 (Polish), 501, and 605 Squadrons successfully intercepted the incoming formations, while Spitfires from Nos. 41 and 66 Squadrons engaged the enemy but suffered losses in the process. During the engagement, Fw. Willy Roth of 4./JG 26 claimed a Spitfire from No. 603 Squadron near the coast, while Oblt. Josef Priller of 6./JG 51 reported downing another Spitfire north of Canterbury.

Around 11:00 hours, a bombing raid by Dornier Do 17s was intercepted by Spitfires from No. 41 Squadron off Folkestone, forcing the formation to abort and return to France. Meanwhile, a separate fighter-bomber attack by 2./JG 51 targeted the London docks. Among the raiders was Oblt. Viktor Mölders, younger brother of the more famous Werner Mölders. His Bf 109 E-4/B “Black 1” was hit by two long bursts from Sgt. Eric Wright of No. 605 Squadron. With smoke trailing and his engine failing, Mölders made a forced landing at Doleham Farm near Guestling. He was captured unhurt. Lt. Erich Meyer of the same Staffel was also shot down over the Channel by Hurricanes of No. 501 Squadron. He was rescued from a dinghy and taken prisoner. Meyer’s submerged Bf 109 would not be rediscovered until 1974.

Heavy Midday Assaults on London

At 12:50 hours, a larger force of more than 130 aircraft—including Ju 88s and Bf 110s—crossed the coast between North Foreland and Beachy Head. The formation, escorted by waves of Bf 109s, advanced toward Biggin Hill and southeast London. No. 11 Group dispatched thirteen squadrons, eight of which made contact. The defending fighters managed to break up the bomber formations, forcing many to release their bombs early and veer off course.

A more targeted strike occurred when nine Bf 109s from I(Jagd)./LG 2, escorted by JG 3, attacked Dulwich railway station. Intercepted near Dover by RAF Spitfires, three of the Jabos jettisoned their bombs prematurely, but the remaining aircraft pressed on and struck the target. Fifteen minutes later, eight Bf 109s from I./JG 51, en route to strike West London, were intercepted and lost three aircraft in combat. Ofw. Werner Hübner of 4./JG 51 and Lt. Erich Schmidt of 9./JG 53 each claimed a Spitfire over Kent.

Bombs fell across the Docklands, igniting fires at Rotherhithe and the Tidal Basin. Further north, a small number of bombs were dropped on Hatfield, damaging three Lysanders of No. 239 Squadron. Despite intense air activity, damage to strategic targets remained limited.

Afternoon Raids and Acts of Individual Bravery

At 14:00 hours, another major wave comprising Ju 88s, Bf 110s, and Bf 109s crossed near Folkestone. Approximately fifty escorting Bf 109s from JG 26, JG 27, and JG 53 provided top cover. The formation headed toward London’s airfields, prompting a rapid response from RAF fighters. Among them, P/O K. W. MacKenzie of No. 501 Squadron closed in on a Bf 109, firing until he ran out of ammunition, and then used his propeller to shear off the Messerschmitt’s tail. The German aircraft crashed into the Channel.

Elsewhere, II(Schlacht)/LG 2, escorted by 5./JG 27 under Oblt. Ernst Düllberg, mounted an attack on West London. The formation was intercepted by No. 605 Squadron near Cranbrook. Uffz. Paul Lederer of 5./JG 27 was shot down in a running engagement over Bedgebury Wood and captured. Düllberg himself claimed a Hurricane at 14:45 hours. Uffz. Georg Mörschel and Uffz. Hans Bley of 4.(Sch)/LG 2 were also downed. Mörschel crash-landed near Tunbridge Wells and was taken prisoner, while Bley ditched in the Channel after running out of fuel and was rescued.

No. 303 (Polish) Squadron patrolled the Kenley–Brooklands sector alongside No. 1 (Canadian) Squadron. The units engaged a force of about fifty Bf 109s over London. Sgt. Belc, F/O Pisarek, and Sgt. Szaposznikow each destroyed enemy aircraft in combat over Redhill, Brighton, and the Channel. P/O Mierzwa crash-landed at a decoy airfield but was unharmed.

German Assault on Yeovil and the Western Sector

While RAF attention remained fixed on the southeast, the Luftwaffe launched a significant diversionary raid on the southwest. At 15:30 hours, over 50 aircraft from Cherbourg—comprising 25 Ju 88s from Luftflotte 3, escorted by 52 Bf 109s from JG 2, 7 from JG 53, and 39 Bf 110s from ZG 26—crossed the coast near St. Alban’s Head and struck at Yeovil.

Hurricanes of Nos. 56, 238, 601, and 607 Squadrons, along with Spitfires of Nos. 152, 602, and 609 Squadrons, intercepted the force over Portland. Nine enemy aircraft were destroyed—two Ju 88s and seven Bf 110s. Among the losses was Lt. Botho Sommer of 9./ZG 26, captured after bailing out. Ofw. Fritz Stahl of 4./ZG 26 was killed in action. Despite RAF efforts, several Ju 88s reached Yeovil and dropped their bombs. The Westland factory sustained damage, and an air raid shelter was hit, killing 100 people. Fires also broke out in Portsmouth, damaging Government House and a furniture depot.

Late Afternoon Probes and Final Daylight Raids

At 15:30 hours, a third major formation was plotted crossing the coast near Romney, composed of a mixed force of Bf 109s and Bf 110s with scattered bombers, likely from ZG 26 and III./KG 76. The raid advanced toward Biggin Hill and East London, tracking a path similar to earlier penetrations. RAF Fighter Command responded with multiple squadrons from No. 11 Group, including Hurricanes from No. 605 Squadron and Spitfires from Nos. 222 and 603 Squadrons. Interceptions were made in the vicinity of the Thames Corridor and Bromley sector, where running engagements developed as the raiders were pressed hard by the defending fighters. Several bombers released their loads early or jettisoned bombs without clear aiming, while others were forced to break formation. By 16:20 hours, the German force had been effectively dispersed and was withdrawing across the Channel.

Just ten minutes later, at 16:30 hours, a further wave of approximately thirty aircraft—primarily fighter-bombers from units including I./JG 3 and I(Jagd)./LG 2—crossed the coast at Dungeness and pushed toward central and northeast London. The attacking force likely targeted dock installations and transport lines around the Isle of Dogs and Wapping but encountered stiff resistance from RAF units already airborne. Rapid interception over Kent and the Thames Estuary by Nos. 603 and 41 Squadrons forced the raiders to abandon any sustained attack. Several Jabos dropped their 250 kg bombs over East Ham and Hackney before turning back. By 16:45 hours, the formation had reversed course and was retreating in scattered elements across the Channel, with RAF claims filed for damaged or destroyed aircraft.

Patrol activity continued throughout the late afternoon and early evening. By 17:45 hours, small-scale reconnaissance and harassment flights were plotted over the southern coastal approaches, particularly off Orfordness, Hastings, and Poole. These were likely weather or photography patrols by individual Bf 110s or fast bombers. Around 18:15 hours, a final incursion was observed when a group of three aircraft crossed the coast near Tangmere, flying inland over Sussex and Surrey. The track continued as far north as Northolt before the raiders turned back under threat of interception. RAF sector reports noted the unusual inland reach of the flight and scrambled local patrols, but no direct engagement was recorded.

Enemy Action by Night

As daylight faded, the Luftwaffe began a major night offensive. Between 19:00 and 21:00 hours, at least 80 aircraft crossed from France, the Dutch coast, and Denmark. Seven raids penetrated the Midlands and Lancashire, two struck Newcastle, and four reached the Firth of Forth. Arbroath also came under attack.

From 21:00 to 23:00 hours, an additional 40 raiders crossed into Britain. Fifteen aircraft bombed southeast England and London, while others scattered across South Wales, the Midlands, East Anglia, and the Bristol Channel. Hendon RAF Station was bombed at 21:20 hours, with a hangar belonging to No. 24 Squadron destroyed and ammunition stores exploding.

At 23:50 hours, Speke Aerodrome was struck, destroying an Audax and damaging a Douglas DF7. A major railway line at Mill Hill East was blocked after a direct hit, while other bombs fell near Sedgefield, Horsham, and in open countryside.

Enemy activity diminished briefly between 23:00 and 01:00 hours, but raids resumed with increased intensity from 01:00 to 03:00. Aerodromes in Essex and Suffolk came under attack, with eleven raids plotted in those counties alone. The Firth of Forth remained a continued point of focus.

Between 03:00 and 06:00 hours, raids tapered off. Sporadic bombs were reported as far north as Kinnairds Head, but by 05:45 hours, most enemy aircraft were returning to base. By 06:00, the skies over Britain had cleared.

Summary and Aftermath

The Luftwaffe lost 19 aircraft on 7 October, while the RAF lost 17. Though bombs were dropped across London, Yeovil, and the southwest, many targets escaped serious damage thanks to successful interceptions. Home Security Reports noted significant destruction at Tottenham Gas Works and the Silvertown Lubricants facility, though production remained unaffected. Railway lines at Woolwich Arsenal and Stansted were damaged, causing temporary disruption.

Despite the day’s widespread bombing, Luftflotte 3 acknowledged in its post-mission report:

“Enemy fighter defences showed a tenacity unknown so far.”

German Losses:
Airmen: 11 | Aircraft: 19

British Losses:
Airmen: 9 | Aircraft: 17

Spitfire N3039, No. 152 Squadron
P/O H.J. Akroyd died of injuries 8/10/40. Shot down during combat with enemy fighters over Lyme Regis.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Akroyd.htm

Spitfire P9469, No. 222 Squadron
P/O J.W. Broadhurst killed. Shot down during an attack on enemy bombers.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/BroadhurstJW.htm

Hurricane N2707, No. 245 Squadron
P/O J.J.I. Beedham killed. Engine failure during landing.

Hurricane V6800, No. 501 Squadron
F/O N.J.M. Barry killed. Shot down over Wrotham by Bf 109s. Pilot baled out but was found dead at Wilmington, south of Dartford.
http://bbm.org.uk/airmen/as-barry.htm

Spitfire X4016, No. 602 Squadron
Sgt. B.E.P. Whall died of injuries. Aircraft damaged by Ju 88 off Beachy Head. Spun-in near Court Farm, Lullington whilst attempting forced-landing.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Whall.htm

Spitfire N3109, No. 603 Squadron
F/O H.F.K. Matthews killed. Shot down in combat with Bf 109s of II/JG 26.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/MatthewsHKF.htm

Hurricane P3677, No. 605 Squadron
P/O C.E. English killed. Shot down by Bf 109s over Westerham.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/English.htm

Hurricane L1728, No. 607 Squadron
F/O I.B. Difford killed. Mid-air collision during squadron patrol. Aircraft crashed at Eartham Farm, Slindon, Sussex.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Difford.htm

Spitfire N3238, No. 609 Squadron
Sgt. A.N. Feary killed. Shot down in surprise attack by Bf 109s over Yeovil. Pilot baled out but was too low.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Feary.htm

Photo Descriptions

1. A symbolic photograph of a British soldier standing guard on a beach in southern England, 7 October 1940. © IWM (H 4610)
2. Oblt. Viktor Mölders’ Bf 109 E-4/B ‘Black 1’ (Wk.Nr. 4103) following its crash-landing in East Sussex on 7 October 1940.
3. Pilot Officer Henry N. Hunt of No. 504 Squadron discusses his flight with the intelligence officer at Filton after ‘returning from aerial combat’, October 1940. © IWM (HU 104480)