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 weather on 31 August remained mainly fair, though haze obscured visibility over the Thames Estuary and the Dover Straits. The Luftwaffe launched a sustained assault against RAF Fighter Command with a level of intensity not yet seen. It became the single worst day of the Battle of Britain for the RAF in terms of losses: 41 fighters destroyed, nine pilots killed, and numerous others wounded or burned. The Luftwaffe flew over 1,000 sorties, concentrating their efforts on airfields in the south and southeast of England, targeting both forward operating bases and critical sector stations. Despite being heavily outnumbered and suffering mounting fatigue, RAF fighters claimed 39 enemy aircraft destroyed, with a further 34 listed as probable.

Early Morning Reconnaissance

At 06:05 hours, a lone Luftwaffe aircraft was observed conducting reconnaissance off Spurn Point. By 11:55 hours, another high-flying reconnaissance aircraft at 23,000 feet passed over RAF airfields in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex, and photographed shipping traffic in the Thames Estuary. These missions—soon followed by three more reconnaissance sorties between 14:00 and 15:30 hours—suggested a coordinated effort by Luftflotte 2 to assess the cumulative impact of recent attacks and prepare for a fresh round of assaults.

The first major action of the day began at 07:55 hours, when radar stations detected multiple incoming raids. One large plot developed over the Thames Estuary, while other tracks converged from the Channel towards Deal, Dover, and Dungeness. The formations quickly took shape—five large groupings totalling more than 250 aircraft, including waves of Bf 109s at altitudes up to 25,000 feet. AVM Park ordered No. 253 Squadron (Kenley), No. 111 Squadron (Croydon), and No. 1 (RCAF) Squadron to intercept.

Mindful of the previous day’s heavy fighter losses, AVM Keith Park instructed squadrons to avoid fighter-versus-fighter combat. No. 253 Squadron received the order and returned to base. No. 1 (RCAF) Squadron, however, missed the signal and engaged the enemy formations. Three Hurricanes were lost. F/O G.C. Hyde baled out with severe burns; F/Lt V.B. Corbett also suffered burns after being shot down.

With the RAF engaged elsewhere, Bf 109s swept down over Dover. In an aggressive low-level pass, they destroyed all 23 barrage balloons, leaving the harbour and town temporarily exposed.

Major Raids on Sector Airfields

By 08:20 hours, radar picked up three additional waves of bombers assembling over the Estuary. More than 200 aircraft were identified, including He 111s and Do 17s escorted by approximately 60 Bf 110s. AVM Park scrambled 13 squadrons from No. 11 Group, leaving only a thin shield around London.

As the German formations crossed the coast, they separated into multiple thrusts. One stream flew towards North Weald; others headed for Debden, Hornchurch, and Duxford. Hurricanes of No. 111 Squadron intercepted a group of 40 Do 17s moving against Duxford. Although only one bomber was confirmed destroyed, the interception scattered the formation and disrupted the bombing run.

Debden was heavily hit. Over 100 high-explosive bombs landed on the airfield. Three barracks buildings and several storehouses were damaged, and the landing ground was left cratered and potholed. Eighteen personnel were wounded, and multiple aircraft were destroyed or rendered unserviceable.

As the bombers exited the target area, they were intercepted by Spitfires of No. 19 Squadron (Fowlmere). Two enemy bombers were destroyed during the running engagement, although two Spitfires were also lost. One pilot, F/O J.B. Coward, had his leg torn off by cannon fire but managed to bale out and survive.

At 09:00 hours, additional Dornier formations crossed the Estuary and struck Eastchurch and Detling. Both airfields sustained moderate damage. The accompanying Bf 110s of V.(Z)/LG 1 suppressed local defences, though some were driven off by RAF fighters.

Biggin Hill and Hornchurch Under Fire

At 12:00 hours, a major raid developed over Dungeness. Radar showed over 100 aircraft breaking into two columns—one composed of Do 17s, the other of He 111s. These formations veered onto divergent courses towards the London sector. Biggin Hill again became the focal point.

Oblt. Hans von Hahn’s Bf 109s of JG 3 swept ahead of the bombers and cleared the airfield’s defences by destroying the remaining barrage balloons. Hurricanes from No. 79 Squadron (Biggin Hill) were airborne but could not reach the bombers through the strong fighter screen. Despite shooting down three Bf 109s, they failed to stop the bombing run.

Biggin Hill suffered extensive damage. Two hangars were destroyed, the married quarters and officers’ mess were bombed, and a direct hit on the operations block severed all communications. The airfield was left cratered and unserviceable, forcing returning squadrons to divert to Kenley and Croydon.

Simultaneously, 60 Dorniers from KG 2 under Oberst Fink launched an attack on Hornchurch. No. 603 Squadron was already airborne when bombs began to fall. No. 54 Squadron managed to scramble moments before the airfield was struck. Three Spitfires attempting take-off were caught in a massive blast—F/L Alan Deere’s aircraft among them. All three were destroyed on the runway, though the pilots survived. Four Do 17s were destroyed in the engagement.

At 13:15 hours, Croydon came under direct attack. The Rollason Aircraft Works was destroyed by high-explosive bombs, while the nearby Redwing Aircraft Factory sustained damage. Despite the blast impact, reports indicated that production at Redwing was not significantly disrupted.

Afternoon Raids

At 15:15 hours, all available aircraft at Biggin Hill and Hornchurch were scrambled as another large formation crossed the coast from the Estuary. Hurricanes of Nos. 1 (RCAF), 17, 85, 87, and 151 Squadrons, together with Spitfires from Nos. 54, 72, 222, and 602 Squadrons, intercepted over a period of nearly two hours.

Hornchurch was targeted again, but damage was light. Biggin Hill, however, was once more badly hit. Eight low-flying Dorniers carrying 1,000 lb bombs evaded Observer Corps detection and attacked the station. The operations room was struck directly; the concrete roof collapsed, and the plotting table was smashed. Two hangars, the officers’ mess, and several workshops were destroyed. Roads and runways were cratered, hampering further sorties.

S/L Peter Townsend of No. 85 Squadron led his Hurricanes into battle through smoke and falling debris. His aircraft was hit by a Bf 109, and he was forced to bale out, wounded.

S/L Tom Gleave of No. 253 Squadron also suffered a near-fatal encounter. Attacked near Kenley by a Bf 109, his Hurricane caught fire mid-air. With his cockpit engulfed in flames, he baled out at low altitude, delaying his parachute opening to avoid being incinerated. He landed with severe burns to his face, hands, and legs, but survived.

Luftwaffe Claims and RAF Losses

Kommodore Werner Mölders of JG 51 claimed three Hurricanes, bringing his total to 32. Lt. Erich Meyer of 2./JG 51 claimed his first kill. Lt. Mietusch of 7./JG 26 downed a Spitfire over Chelmsford, while Oblt. Werner Machold of 1./JG 2 destroyed another Hurricane—his 17th victory. A Bf 109 from II./JG 2 was shot down into the Channel, but the pilot was rescued by Seenotdienst units.

By the close of daylight operations, RAF losses amounted to 41 fighters, with nine pilots killed or missing. Luftwaffe losses were estimated at 39 aircraft destroyed.

Enemy Action by Night

At dusk, bombers from KG 27 and KGr 806 resumed their night assault on Liverpool. High-explosive and incendiary bombs struck the city centre and the docks. A direct hit on a shelter killed 20 civilians. Clarence Dock was bombed, and a trawler was sunk at anchor.

Further raids were directed against Leeds and Bradford. In Bradford, a raid beginning at 22:35 hours caused extensive damage to shops, cinemas, mills, and the city’s gasworks. Tholthorpe airfield was bombed twice, resulting in a 25-foot crater on the runway. Bristol was also hit by a diversionary force.

In total, 44 civilians and 40 RAF personnel were killed by enemy action. More than 250 people were injured across all regions.

The RAF Under Pressure

Saturday, 31 August 1940 marked the highest daily losses suffered by Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. No. 11 Group’s airfields lay shattered, and many squadrons were critically under strength. No. 151 Squadron, having lost six pilots in three days, was reduced to twelve pilots and ten serviceable aircraft and was withdrawn for rest. No. 43 Squadron lost two commanding officers in rapid succession.

Squadron leadership increasingly fell to junior officers and even NCOs. Sgt J.H. “Ginger” Lacey of No. 501 Squadron was among those now bearing operational responsibility. Despite mounting exhaustion, the RAF endured.

The Luftwaffe too felt the strain. Pilots had begun to dread operations over England, nicknaming the Channel “the sewer” because of the high number of crews forced down into its waters. German expectations of a quick air campaign were fading. September would determine whether the planned invasion of Britain was still viable.

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. Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 (W.Nr. 1184), flown by Oberleutnant Wilhelm Fronhoefer of 9./JG 26, was shot down by Pilot Officer Colin Gray of No. 54 Squadron during a bomber-escort sortie to Hornchurch on 31 August 1940. Fronhoefer crash-landed at Ulcombe, Kent, and was captured unhurt.
3. A Spitfire of No. 222 Squadron lies wrecked at Hornchurch after a Luftwaffe bombing raid on 31 August 1940.
4. 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)