Shipping attacks off Dover and Portland.

Night: Minelaying in Thames Estuary.

Weather: Early morning fog in southern England clearing by mid-morning.

Enemy Action by Day

Saturday, 13 July 1940, began with early morning fog clinging to the southern coast of England. Early morning fog persisted until midday over the Portland area, while operations elsewhere along the south coast were hampered by haze and intermittent cloud. The Luftwaffe maintained its focus on Channel convoys, particularly those near Portland and Dover, continuing the Kanalkampf phase of the air war. Though no confirmed ship sinkings were reported, German efforts intensified against shipping lanes and coastal installations. Fighter Command responded in force, with multiple squadrons intercepting bombing raids and escort formations over land and sea. As the Battle of Britain entered its third full day, the RAF and Luftwaffe clashed repeatedly, and losses mounted on both sides.

Early Morning Operations over the Thames Estuary and South Coast

During the early morning hours, a Heinkel He 115 floatplane of 3./KüFlGr.906 engaged in mine-laying operations in the Thames Estuary was shot down by anti-aircraft fire. Leutnant zur See Dr. Gerhard Steinert, Oberleutnant zur See Hans-Joachim Hildbrand and Feldwebel Hermann Pluntke were all killed.

Off the south coast, German reconnaissance aircraft continued probing operations against shipping near Portland and the Isle of Wight. Hurricanes of No. 501 Squadron intercepted one of the raiders south of St Albans Point between 09:15 and 10:00 hours and shot down a Dornier Do 17, probably a Do 17M of 4.(F)/14, which later force-landed at Osen following fighter attack.

Around 11:14 hours, another German aircraft operating south of the Isle of Wight was intercepted by Hurricanes of No. 43 Squadron from Tangmere. Although initially reported as a Heinkel He 111 destroyed over Spithead, the aircraft was probably Junkers Ju 88 9K+CP of 6./KG 51, which failed to return from a reconnaissance sortie to Southampton and was believed lost in the Channel with all four crew missing.

These engagements reflected the continuing Luftwaffe reconnaissance and anti-shipping operations directed against the Hampshire and Dorset coastlines.

11:45 Hours: Erprobungsgruppe 210 Attacks Thames Shipping

At 11:45 hours, ten Bf 110 fighter-bombers of the newly formed Erprobungsgruppe 210 departed St-Omer to carry out the unit’s first operational anti-shipping mission against targets in the Thames Estuary. Escort was provided by Bf 110s and Bf 109s of I./JG 52.

RAF fighters failed to intercept the raid, and German crews claimed direct hits on four vessels in the estuary. All aircraft returned safely except one Bf 110 fighter-bomber, which developed engine trouble and force-landed at Ghent.

14:20–15:40 Hours: Reconnaissance Clash off Portland

At approximately 14:45 hours, twelve Hurricanes of No. 238 Squadron were scrambled to intercept a Dornier Do 17P reconnaissance aircraft operating off Portland Bill. The Dornier, Do 17P 4U+DK of 2.(F)/123, was escorted by Bf 110s of V.(Z)/LG 1 and Bf 109s of II./JG 51.

A fierce engagement followed over the Dorset coast and English Channel. Red Section of No. 238 Squadron attacked the Dornier, shooting it down into the sea off Chesil Beach. During the same action, Hurricanes of Green and Blue Sections claimed Bf 110s damaged and destroyed, while Sergeant Eric Bann of Yellow Section shot down another Bf 110 before joining attacks on the Dornier.

Of the Dornier crew, Oberleutnant Maximilian Graf von Kesselstatt survived and was captured, while Leutnant Otto Weinbauer and Feldwebel Georg Peelen were killed.

Spitfires of No. 609 Squadron also joined the engagement. Flying Officer J. C. Dundas shot down a Bf 110, while Pilot Officer R. F. G. Miller attacked the Dornier repeatedly and observed it heading out to sea on fire and losing height rapidly.

During the action, Flight Lieutenant James Cuthbertson Kennedy of No. 238 Squadron attempted to land after combat but stalled while trying to avoid high-tension cables near Littlemore and crashed, killing him instantly.

Two Bf 110s of LG 1 were badly damaged during the engagement, including one of 14./LG 1 flown by Leutnant Hermann Eisele, who was killed with his air gunner Unteroffizier Kurt Lochow. Another Bf 110 of 15./LG 1 returned severely damaged, while a second aircraft of the Staffel returned with Leutnant Kurt Krebitz wounded.

17:30 Hours: Attack on Dover Harbour and Convoy BREAD

Shortly after 17:30 hours, a mixed German formation of Ju 87 dive-bombers and Bf 109 fighters attacked Dover Harbour and Convoy BREAD south of Dover. The attacking dive-bombers were from II./StG 1 and the escort fighters from II. and III./JG 51.

Spitfires of No. 64 Squadron from Kenley were scrambled to intercept. During the action, two Spitfires of No. 64 Squadron were accidentally damaged by anti-aircraft fire from Dover’s own defences. One aircraft, flown by Sub-Lieutenant (A) John Sykes RNVR, force-landed successfully at Hawkinge after suffering hydraulic failure caused by shell damage. Another Spitfire also returned damaged by AA fire, though its pilot escaped injury.

Fellow Fleet Air Arm pilot Sub-Lieutenant (A) Frederick Dawson-Paul engaged enemy fighters during the action and claimed a Messerschmitt Bf 109 destroyed. German records indicate that Leutnant Joachim Lange of 9./JG 51 bailed out into the Channel during combat with Spitfires and may have been Dawson-Paul’s victim.

In return, Oberstleutnant Theo Osterkamp, Kommodore of JG 51, claimed a Spitfire destroyed, while Oberleutnant Arnold Lignitz of 9./JG 51 also claimed a Spitfire south of Dover.

Although several bombs fell near harbour installations and the convoy route, no ships were sunk during the attack.

17:33–20:05 Hours: Major Air Battle off Calais

The fiercest combat of the day developed shortly after 17:30 hours during attacks against Convoy CW 5 off Calais. A force of Ju 87 dive-bombers from II./StG 1, escorted by Messerschmitt fighters of II./JG 51, attacked the convoy while Hurricanes of No. 56 Squadron rose to intercept.

The engagement rapidly developed into a large and confused dogfight over the Channel. Hurricanes attacked the Stukas directly while the escorting Bf 109s attempted to break up the RAF formations.

Flight Lieutenant J. H. Coghlan of No. 56 Squadron claimed a Bf 109 destroyed and a Ju 87 probable, while Flying Officer R. E. P. Brooker destroyed a Ju 87. Sergeant James Cowsill was also credited with destroying a Ju 87 before being shot down himself.

German fighter pilots claimed heavy success during the battle. Hauptmann Josef Fözö of 4./JG 51 claimed two Hurricanes destroyed, while Hauptmann Horst Tietzen, Unteroffizier Ernst Buder, Feldwebel Heinz Tornow and Feldwebel Hans John each claimed further victories.

Sergeant James Cowsill in Hurricane N2432 was killed during the engagement. Sergeant Joseph Whitfield also failed to return after combat over the Channel. Flight Lieutenant Coghlan returned wounded, while Sergeant R. D. Baker brought his damaged Hurricane back safely.

At least two Ju 87s were badly damaged during the battle and failed to return safely to their bases. One Stuka crash-landed on the beach at Cap Gris-Nez with Feldwebel Robert Heidfeld wounded, while another force-landed at Noordpeene.

Additional RAF and Luftwaffe Operations

Throughout the day, enemy raids continued intermittently along the east coast and Channel approaches. Convoys near Harwich and North Foreland were shadowed and attacked, though no confirmed bomb hits were recorded.

Two Blenheims of No. 82 Squadron failed to return from a raid near Amsterdam after interception by Bf 109s. Blenheim R3701 was shot down with the loss of Flight Lieutenant P. H. Lewis, Sergeant H. W. Richardson and Sergeant J. Newberry, while Blenheim R3756 was also destroyed; Sergeant D. A. Evans and Sergeant A. Avery were captured, and Sergeant A. Evans was killed.

Operational Accidents

RAF flying accidents during the day caused several additional losses.

At Hornchurch, Sergeant Raymond Birch of No. 19 Squadron was killed during dogfighting practice when Spitfire R6688 crashed at Balsham during a steep turn.

No. 610 Squadron also lost Sergeant Patrick Watson-Parker when Spitfire R6807 crashed at Tatsfield during a routine patrol at 11:36 hours.

Hudson N7231 of No. 220 Squadron struck a balloon cable at Boldon Colliery, County Durham, while returning from operations and crashed with the loss of all crew aboard.

At approximately 11:30 hours, Blenheim R3597 of No. 218 Squadron crashed near Harrold after striking the top of a forty-foot ash tree while flying at very low level. Flying Officer Terry Newton, Sergeant Joe Routledge and Sergeant David Malpass were all killed.

A Hurricane of No. 263 Squadron was also wrecked during an unauthorised night patrol near Lanark, though the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Wynford Smith, survived unhurt.

Enemy Action by Night

After dark, Luftwaffe activity diminished considerably, with most operations consisting of mine-laying sorties and scattered nuisance raids along the east coast and Thames Estuary approaches.

At 23:10 hours, a powerful explosion tore through the High Duty Alloys Factory at Slough, killing one man and injuring 45 others. Although enemy action was suspected, the precise cause was never conclusively determined.

Incendiary bombs were also dropped near railway installations in County Durham, including near Seaton Snooks, Brenda Road in West Hartlepool and Graythorp village. Near Consett, bombs fell in the Bridgehill district, killing a cow and causing minor fire damage to a nearby house.

Meanwhile, Bomber Command dispatched substantial forces against targets in Germany, including Bremen, Duisburg-Ruhrort, Hamm, Hamburg and the Dortmund–Ems Canal. During operations over Borkum, Hampden P1322 of No. 44 Squadron attacked Bf 110 fighters near the airfield. Pilot Officer Charles Price was credited with destroying one Messerschmitt after a low-level attack, an action for which he later received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

German Losses:
Airmen: 11 | Aircraft: 6

British Losses:
Airmen: 5 | Aircraft: 6

Spitfire R6807, No. 610 Squadron. Aircraft destroyed.
Sgt P.J. Watson-Parker killed. Crashed, reasons not recorded.

Hurricane P2950, No. 238 Squadron. Aircraft destroyed.
F/Lt J.C. Kennedy killed. Believed injured by gunfire from Do 17, crashed on returning to base.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/KennedyJC.htm

Hurricane N2432, No. 56 Squadron. Aircraft destroyed.
Sgt J.R. Cowsill missing. Last seen in combat with Bf 109, believed ditched in Channel.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Cowsill.htm

Hurricane P2922, No. 56 Squadron. Aircraft destroyed.
Sgt J.J. Whitfield missing. Hit by gunfire from Bf 109 over Channel, crashed into sea.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Whitfield.htm

Spitfire R6688, No. 19 Squadron. Aircraft destroyed.
Sgt R.R.G. Birch killed. Stalled while attempting steep turn during dogfight practice.

Photo Descriptions

1. A flight of Hawker Hurricane Mark Is of No. 56 Squadron RAF taking off for a sortie from North Weald, Essex. In the foreground another Hurricane Mark I of the Squadron, P2764 ‘US-P’, stands at its dispersal point near the perimeter track on the south-western edge of the airfield. © IWM (CH 158)
2. Junkers Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers during the Battle of Britain, 1940.
3. HMS Vanessa (D29) docked at Blackwell. She and the destroyer HMS Gallant (H59) were escorting a convoy in the English Channel on 13 July 1940 when it came under German air attack shortly after leaving Dover. A bomb landed in the water six yards (5.5 meters) astern of Vanessa, knocking her propellers out of service. The destroyer HMS Griffin (H31) towed her to port. Vanessa underwent repairs at Chatham Dockyard, which were not completed until 4 November 1940. © IWM (A 9503)
4. British troops with a partly-camouflaged crash-landed Heinkel He 111 of Stab./KG 55 shot down by Hurricanes of No. 43 Squadron during an armed reconnaissance sortie to Southampton on 13 July 1940. Dumping its bomb load, the crippled aircraft made a forced landing in a Hampshire meadow beside the Hambleton to Farnham road at Hipley, just opposite the Horse and Jockey pub. One of the crew had been killed, three others injured and one escaped unharmed. © IWM (HU 7963)