Fighter Command suffers its heaviest losses. Airfields in the south and south-east raided.

Night: Liverpool once again the main target with lesser attacks covering the north-east coast to Plymouth.

Weather: Mainly fair with haze over the Thames Estuary and Dover Straits.

Enemy Action by Day

The Luftwaffe returned with renewed force, continuing what became known within Fighter Command as the “Bad Weekend.” At 07:55 hours, radar plots revealed multiple incoming formations: one over the Thames Estuary, another approaching from the Channel, with additional groups converging over Dover and Dungeness. These formations, comprising largely of Bf 109s flying at approximately 25,000 feet, targeted key RAF infrastructure in East Kent, North Weald, Debden, and Duxford.

AVM Keith Park, determined not to repeat the delays of the previous day, immediately ordered squadrons to be scrambled. Among those vectored to intercept were RAF No. 253 Squadron from Kenley and RCAF No. 1 Squadron. Park, wary of fighter-on-fighter attrition at high altitude, recalled the interceptors. While 253 Squadron returned safely, the Canadians did not receive the order in time and were caught by the Bf 109s. Three Hurricanes were lost, and both F/Lt V.B. Corbett and F/O G.C. Hyde were badly burned after bailing out. With no opposition in the air, the Messerschmitts proceeded to shoot down all 23 of Dover’s barrage balloons in a calculated attack.

Shortly after 08:00 hours, three more large formations approached from the Thames Estuary, consisting of over 200 bombers – mainly He 111s and Do 17s – escorted by some 60 Bf 110s. Park responded by scrambling 13 squadrons from No. 11 Group to defend London and its surrounding sector airfields, though this left the capital itself with only a thin defensive screen.

As the German formations neared the coast, they split into separate forces. North Weald airfield sustained heavy bomb damage; Hornchurch was also hit, though its fighters were largely successful in keeping the bombers at bay.

A significant formation of around 40 Do 17s, protected by Bf 110s, made for Duxford. The 12 Group controller, caught off guard, urgently appealed to 11 Group for support. Park responded by dispatching No. 111 Squadron (Croydon), which intercepted the bombers near Duxford and managed to disrupt the raid, shooting down one Dornier.

While Duxford was narrowly spared, another formation – unopposed – struck Debden. Over 100 bombs fell on the airfield, damaging barracks, stores, and aircraft. Eighteen personnel were wounded, and the field was left cratered and temporarily disrupted. On their return, some of the bombers were engaged by RAF No. 19 Squadron (Fowlmere), which brought down two aircraft but lost two Spitfires in the process. One of the RAF pilots, F/O J.B. Coward, suffered a grievous leg injury from enemy fire but managed to parachute to safety.

At approximately 09:00 hours, yet another attack developed. Two more waves approached from the Thames Estuary. One formation diverted to Eastchurch, causing light damage, while Detling came under attack from Bf 110s. Fighter Command, already exhausted from weeks of relentless combat, was stretched to its limit. Pilots were flying as many as four sorties per day. Aircraft losses were mounting faster than they could be replenished, and the strain on personnel was becoming critical.

Shortly after midday, radar detected over 100 German bombers approaching the southern English coast near Dungeness, heavily escorted by fighters. The attacking force split into several formations – one identified as Dornier Do 17s, the other Heinkel He 111s. The Heinkels further divided into separate streams, all converging on key RAF installations southeast of London.

Biggin Hill was once again a prime target. The airfield, barely recovered from previous attacks, came under renewed assault just after RAF No. 79 Squadron (Hurricanes) was scrambled. A force led by Oblt. Hans von Hahn of JG 3 began the assault by clearing barrage balloons, while escorting Bf 109s aggressively held back defending Spitfires, allowing the bombers through. Biggin Hill sustained extensive damage: two hangars, several buildings including the married quarters and officers’ mess, and the operations block were all hit. Fires broke out, communications were severed, and the runways rendered unusable. Squadrons airborne at the time were forced to divert to Kenley and Croydon. Telephone lines were also destroyed.

Simultaneously, Hornchurch was targeted by sixty Dornier bombers from KG 2 under Oberst Fink. No. 603 Squadron (Spitfires), recently transferred from Scotland, was scrambled just ahead of the bombs falling. No. 54 Squadron also joined the defense. During the chaotic scramble, one flight of three Spitfires was caught in a bomb blast just after takeoff. F/L Alan Deere’s aircraft was thrown from the sky at twenty feet, along with the other two. All three pilots survived, but their aircraft were destroyed. Despite the losses, four Do 17s were confirmed shot down.

Throughout the afternoon, Bf 110s from Epr.Gr 210 attacked coastal radar stations, including Foreness CHL. Though damage was reported, none of the installations were rendered inoperative, and all were back online by nightfall.

Later in the afternoon, the scale of operations intensified. The Observer Corps reported over 150 enemy aircraft crossing between Dover and the Thames Estuary. Multiple RAF squadrons were scrambled, including Nos. 85 (Croydon), 253 (Kenley), 310 (Duxford), 501 (Gravesend), and 601 (Debden). In the melee, LG 1 lost five Bf 110s and two Ju 88s.

Among RAF casualties was S/L Tom Gleave of 253 Squadron. Having downed four aircraft the previous day, he was leading an attack against Ju 88s when his Hurricane was hit by a Bf 109. Flames engulfed the cockpit, and Gleave, severely burned, bailed out. He delayed opening his parachute to avoid igniting it and eventually landed in woodland. His injuries were severe – his skin burned from face to hands, clothing and gloves consumed by fire.

At 15:15 hours, further waves approached via the Thames Estuary. Squadrons from across Fighter Command – including RCAF No. 1 and RAF Nos. 17, 85, 87, 151, 54, 72, 222, and 602 – intercepted over a span of two hours. While Hornchurch received only light damage, Biggin Hill was again devastated. Eight low-flying Dornier bombers evaded early detection and launched a surprise strike. The operations room took a direct hit, caving in its roof and destroying the plotting table. Two hangars, the officers’ mess, workshops, roads, and runways were also wrecked.

Croydon too came under attack. Several technical buildings and hangars were destroyed. S/L Peter Townsend of No. 85 Squadron led a defense sortie but was shot down and injured after a skirmish with escorting Messerschmitts.

On the German side, high-scoring pilots claimed multiple kills. Kommodore Werner Mölders of JG 51 downed three Hurricanes, bringing his tally to thirty-two. Lt. Erich Meyer of 2./JG 51 scored his first victory, Lt. Mietusch of 7./JG 26 destroyed a Spitfire over Chelmsford, and Oblt. Werner Machold of 1./JG 2 reached seventeen kills. A Bf 109 from II./JG 2 was shot down into the sea; its pilot survived and was rescued by the Seenotdienst.

Throughout the day, No. 12 Group reinforced No. 11 Group, deploying additional squadrons into the embattled southeastern sector.

Enemy Action by Night

After sunset, Heinkel He 111s of I./KG 27 and Ju 88s of KGr 806 resumed bombing operations for the third consecutive night. Liverpool and Birkenhead were again targeted, with raids extending into Bristol. A shelter was destroyed, killing twenty and injuring many. The Nelson and Clarence Docks were hit, with one trawler struck directly.

Bradford endured a sustained bombing from 22:35 on 31 August to 03:00 on 1 September. The town centre suffered heavy damage, including destruction of water and gas mains, a cinema, two mills, and the gasworks at Birkshaw Lane. Residential areas and a signal box in the railway sidings were also hit.

Tholthorpe airfield was bombed twice, at 22:45 and again at 02:30. A crater 25 feet deep marred the runway, though the station remained operational.

Losses and Outcome

RAF Fighter Command endured its worst day of the Battle of Britain in terms of losses: 41 aircraft were destroyed in aerial combat, and 9 pilots were killed. The Luftwaffe lost 39 aircraft across both day and night operations.

The day ended on a grim note for the RAF. Constant attacks had worn down personnel and leadership. Many experienced commanders had been lost, and squadrons were increasingly led by junior officers or non-commissioned pilots. Sgt. J.H. “Ginger” Lacey of No. 501 Squadron and Sgt. Archie McDowell of No. 602 Squadron were among those stepping into leadership roles. No. 151 Squadron, having lost six pilots in three days, was down to ten aircraft and only twelve pilots and was ultimately withdrawn from front-line service. No. 43 Squadron lost multiple commanders; by early September, S/L C.B. Hull, a South African, was also killed.

Meanwhile, fatigue and disillusionment were mounting on the German side. Luftwaffe pilots had been assured of a swift victory over the RAF, but mounting losses, inaccurate intelligence, and the skill of British pilots were proving otherwise. Many German pilots grew to resent flying over the Channel, derisively calling it “the sewer,” knowing that more than ten minutes of combat often meant a deadly ditching in the sea.

As the sun set on the final day of August, it was clear that the coming month would be decisive. September would determine whether an invasion of Britain remained possible – or if the Luftwaffe’s hopes had already begun to unravel.

German Losses:
Airmen: 21 | Aircraft: 39

British Losses:
Airmen: 9 | Aircraft: 41

Hurricane L1830, No. 253 Squadron
S/L H.M. Starr killed. Shot down by Bf 109s. Died beside crashed aircraft in brickworks at Eastry.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Starr.htm

Spitfire R6912, No. 19 Squadron
P/O R.A.C. Aeberhardt killed. Crashed and burnt out on landing after flaps were damaged in combat.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Aeberhardt.htm

Hurricane V7378, No. 56 Squadron
F/L P.S. Weaver listed as missing. Crashed into River Blackwater after being hit by Bf 109 gunfire.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Weaver.htm

Hurricane P3175, No. 257 Squadron
P/O G.H. Maffett killed. Engaged in combat and shot down by Bf 110. Aircraft crashed at Walton-on-Naze.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Maffett.htm

Hurricane P3159, No. 310 Squadron
P/O J. Sterbacek listed as missing. Shot down by Bf 109 while attacking a Do 215.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Sterbacek.htm

Hurricane R4215, No. 601 Squadron
F/O M.D. Doulton listed as missing. Shot down by Bf 109 and crashed into sea.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Doulton.htm

Hurricane V7200, No. 79 Squadron
Sgt H.A. Bolton killed. Crashed making forced landing with battle damage after combat action.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Bolton.htm

Spitfire X4273, No. 603 Squadron
F/O R McG Waterston killed. Shot down by Bf 109 and aircraft broke up before crashing in Woolwhich.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Waterston.htm

Spitfire P9457, No. 72 Squadron
F/O E.J. Wilcox killed. Shot down by enemy aircraft over Dungeness.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Wilcox.htm

Photo Descriptions

  1. Dornier Do 17Z-3 W.Nr. 2669 of 4./KG 3 burning itself out after crash-landing at Princes Golf Club on Sandwich Flats, near Ramsgate, following an attack on Hornchurch, 31 August 1940. © IWM (FX 68707)
  2. Bf 109E-3 W.Nr. 1184 flown by Oblt. Wilhelm Fronhoefer of 9./JG 26 was shot down by P/O C.F. Gray of No. 54 Squadron during a bomber escort sortie to Hornchurch on 31 August 1940. Fronhoefer crash-landed at Ulcombe in Kent and was captured unhurt.
  3. Air cadets and civilians examine the dinghy from a shot-down Junkers Ju 88 on display at Wood Green in London, 31 August 1940. © IWM (HU 104731)