Heavy attack on Portland, feints by fighter formations over Dover. Convoy attacks in Thames Estuary and off East Anglia.

Night: Harassing attacks on Merseyside. Minelaying.

Weather: Fair in morning, cloudy for most of the day.

Although 11 August was not the official beginning of Adlerangriff (Eagle Attack)—which would commence two days later—it marked a dramatic intensification of Luftwaffe operations. The day saw a major increase in Luftwaffe operational tempo following several quieter days caused by poor weather. The Luftwaffe aimed to stretch Fighter Command’s resources and continue probing for weaknesses along the south coast, with major strikes on Portland, feints over Dover, and significant convoy assaults in the Thames Estuary and off East Anglia.

Fighter Command scrambled sixteen squadrons throughout the day, with some flying up to four sorties. Despite considerable losses—28 RAF aircraft destroyed and 25 pilots killed or missing—British fighters claimed 32 confirmed and 46 unconfirmed German aircraft shot down. Anti-aircraft fire accounted for an additional five enemy aircraft.

Enemy Action by Day

At first light on 11 August, Hauptmann Walter Rubensdörffer led 17 Bf 110 fighter-bombers of Erprobungsgruppe 210 on a strafing attack against Dover. Covered by Bf 109 escorts, the formation targeted the Dover Balloon Barrage and harbour area. During the attack, three of the eight barrage balloons operated by 961 Balloon Squadron were destroyed, igniting fires in the harbour area. The Bf 110s also released light bombs, though little damage was caused. One gas holder was reportedly punctured by shrapnel, and damage was sustained to nearby residential buildings.

These attacks were not part of a major offensive but rather deliberate feints intended to provoke a defensive response from Fighter Command and divert attention away from the Luftwaffe’s main strike developing further west against Portland and Weymouth.

Hurricanes from No. 32 Squadron, together with Spitfires from Nos. 64 and 74 Squadrons were scrambled to intercept the attackers. Brief but intense engagements took place over the Channel, within sight of the Dover coastline.

No. 74 Squadron, led by “Sailor” Malan, encountered three Staffeln of Bf 109s from JG 51. The high closing speed allowed only a brief firing pass between the opposing fighters. In the ensuing exchange, one British pilot was forced to ditch in the sea and was subsequently rescued.

Nos. 32 and 64 Squadrons engaged fighters of I./JG 2, resulting in two Bf 109s being shot down. One German pilot was wounded and another was killed.

The ruse succeeded in drawing RAF attention eastward while the main German strike force assembled over the Cherbourg Peninsula.

10:04–11:30 Hours: Main Strike on Portland and Weymouth

At around 10:00 hours, radar detected a major Luftwaffe build-up over the Cherbourg peninsula, prompting Fighter Command to order Nos. 1 and 609 Squadrons airborne from Tangmere and Warmwell, while further squadrons from Middle Wallop, Exeter, Tangmere and Warmwell were placed at readiness.

The main assault comprised approximately 54 Ju 88s from I. and II./KG 54, supported by 20 He 111s of KG 27 and escorted by 61 Bf 110s from I. and II./ZG 2, as well as approximately 30 Bf 109s from III./JG 2 under the command of Erich Mix. JG 27 provided additional cover during the withdrawal. The raid converged on a 20-mile-wide front between Portland and Weymouth Bay and targeted the Royal Navy dockyard at Portland, the adjacent Weymouth gasworks, railway lines, and oil storage facilities.

At approximately 10:04 hours, Nos. 87, 145, 152, 213 and 238 Squadrons were scrambled to reinforce the two airborne squadrons already patrolling over the area.

The Bf 109s and Bf 110s reached the target area ahead of the bombers and were engaged by Spitfires of No. 609 Squadron at an altitude of 23,000 feet. Squadron Leader Horace Darley led the attack against the Bf 110 formations, employing deflection-shooting tactics that enabled his pilots to avoid the heavy forward armament of the Zerstörer fighters. During the engagement, No. 609 Squadron shot down five Bf 110s. Among those killed was Major Ernst Ott, Gruppenkommandeur of ZG 2.

Most RAF fighters became engaged with the escorting fighters, leaving only four Spitfires of No. 152 Squadron to attack the bombers directly as they approached Portland and Weymouth.

The attack inflicted severe damage on vital infrastructure. Fires broke out at the gasworks and oil storage tanks, while the railway station’s signal box and several sections of track were destroyed, forcing the suspension of rail services to Weymouth. Seventeen homes were completely demolished, and more than 150 others were damaged. One civilian was killed, and 22 were injured. At Portland Harbour, the Admiralty Floating Dock AFD19—then housing the anti-submarine trawler HMS Hertfordshire—was holed by bomb splinters, and the vessel sustained minor damage. The destroyers HMS Scimitar and HMS Skate were also damaged during the raid, while the trawler Peter Carey was severely damaged. The cargo ship SS Kirnwood (3,829 tons) and the tanker SS Oil Trader (5,550 tons) were also hit.

The Luftwaffe lost at least 21 aircraft during the assault, including five Ju 88s, eight Bf 110s, and eight Bf 109s. Among the Ju 88 losses were several aircraft of KG 54 brought down over Portland during the height of the attack.

At approximately 10:40 hours, a Ju 88A-1 (B3+DC) of II./KG 54 was brought down by Sub-Lieutenant D. M. Jeram and Flight Lieutenant J. M. Strickland of No. 213 Squadron and crash-landed near Blacknore Fort on Portland Head; Oberleutnant K. Welte, Oberfeldwebel K. Mier, Gefreiter W. Gehre, and Flieger G. Kagerbauer were all captured.

Ten minutes later, fighters of Nos. 87 and 213 Squadrons shot down a Ju 88A of 3./KG 54 into the sea; Unteroffizier W. Schrecker and Feldwebel K. Stretz were killed, Gefreiter H. Arnswald was reported missing, believed killed, and Gefreiter F. Kleindl was rescued.

Around the same time, another Ju 88A (B3+CC) of II./KG 54 was shot down by Squadron Leader H. D. McGregor and Sergeant M. E. Croskell of No. 213 Squadron while bombing Portland Harbour; Unteroffizier H. Klatte baled out and was captured, Oberleutnant W. Schade also bailed out but drowned, his body later washing ashore at Swanage, while Feldwebel H. Basse and Feldwebel F. Bagus were missing, believed killed.

Losses to JG 2 were particularly severe, with the deaths of Oblt. Adolf Steidle (III./JG 2 adjutant), Oblt. Edgar Rempel (6./JG 2 Staffelkapitän), and Oblt. Heinz-Ewart Fricke (9./JG 2). Hptm. Hans-Peter Kulbel, acting Gruppenkommandeur of I./ZG 2, was also killed in action.

Among the victors, Oblt. Helmut Wick (3./JG 2) claimed three kills and narrowly escaped death himself during an intense dogfight with Spitfires, as recounted in his dramatic post-sortie report.

RAF losses were also heavy. F/Lt R. Voase-Jeff of No. 87 Squadron was killed near Portland Bill. A fellow No. 87 Squadron pilot, P/O John Reynolds Cock, became the first Australian to shoot down a German aircraft during the war before baling out over the Channel and swimming ashore. Polish pilot F/O A. Ostowicz of No. 145 Squadron was killed off Swanage. F/Lt Roland Derek G. Wight of No. 213 Squadron was shot down and killed during a bold interception against overwhelming odds, having previously been credited with 10½ confirmed victories. No. 238 Squadron alone lost four Hurricanes and four pilots killed, while a Spitfire of No. 152 Squadron was also lost, its pilot, P/O J.S.B. Jones, drowning.

11:48 Hours: Convoys Attacked in Thames Estuary and off Harwich

At 11:48 hours, Bf 110 fighter-bombers from Erpr.Gr. 210 and Do 17s from 9./KG 2, escorted by Bf 110s of ZG 26, attacked the convoy codenamed Booty off Harwich, hitting two freighters. Hurricanes of Nos. 17 and 85 Squadrons, together with Spitfires of No. 74 Squadron, intercepted the raid.

During the fighting, No. 85 Squadron shot down three Bf 110s, while No. 17 Squadron accounted for a fourth. Two additional Bf 110s and three Do 17s were damaged. Fighters of ZG 26 destroyed one Hurricane of No. 17 Squadron and damaged another, killing the pilot, P/O K. Manger. No. 74 Squadron also suffered the loss of two pilots, P/O D. N. E. Smith and P/O D. G. Cobden, both of whom were killed during the engagement.

As the enemy aircraft withdrew, another raid, comprising Do 17s from II. and III./KG 2 and Ju 87s from II./StG 1 and IV./LG 1, escorted by Bf 109s of JG 26, attacked a convoy in the Thames Estuary. The raid sank the naval trawlers HMT Tamarisk and HMT Pyrope and damaged several other vessels. Twelve sailors were killed. Hurricanes of No. 111 Squadron and Spitfires of No. 74 Squadron were scrambled to intercept. Two Ju 87s—one from IV./LG 1 and the other from II./StG 1—together with a Bf 109, were destroyed, but the victory came at a heavy price: No. 111 Squadron lost four Hurricanes, and all four pilots were killed.

Later that afternoon, radar again signalled a build-up of enemy aircraft over the Thames Estuary, suggesting preparations for a second raid against a London-bound convoy. However, worsening weather conditions forced the Germans to abandon the attack, even as Nos. 54, 74, and 111 Squadrons stood ready to respond.

Other Activity

At approximately 14:00 hours, a Bf 109E-1 of 2./JG 3 was shot down by Pilot Officer H. M. Stephen of No. 74 Squadron while escorting Stukas over Margate. Feldwebel H-H. Heise was killed, his body later washing ashore at Ramsgate and being buried at St Lawrence Cemetery.

At 14:55 hours, a small enemy formation of six aircraft was tracked southeast of Clacton but withdrew before interception. At 17:05 hours, a raid was plotted off the coast between Cromer and Lowestoft, and multiple single aircraft shadowed convoys off Norfolk and Suffolk, but did not attack.

At approximately 19:08 hours, a Ju 88A-1 (7A+KH) of 1.(F)/121 reached Church Fenton in Yorkshire before being intercepted and shot down by Green Section of No. 41 Squadron—Flying Officer J. G. Boyle, Sergeant E. V. Darling, and Pilot Officer R. W. Wallens. The aircraft crashed at Newton Moor near Whitby; Feldwebel O. Hofft, Oberleutnant H. Marzusch, and Feldwebel K.-H. Hacker were captured, while Leutnant H. Meyer was killed and later buried at Acklam Road Cemetery, Thornaby.

RAF Counter-Operations

To maintain pressure, Spitfires of No. 610 Squadron escorted Blenheims of No. 604 Squadron on a daylight mission over Calais. Bf 109s of JG 51 intercepted the formation, shooting down two Spitfires—one claimed by Uffz. Alfred Rauch (his first victory)—while a Blenheim was destroyed by Hptm. Ernst Wiggers of 2./JG 51.

Another sortie by Blenheims of No. 604 Squadron, escorted by Spitfires of No. 152 Squadron, targeted He 59 floatplanes off the French coast. This was also intercepted. Spitfires successfully held off the Bf 109 escorts while the Blenheims destroyed a He 59 air-sea rescue aircraft.

Home Front Impact

Home Security reports noted severe damage in Weymouth and Portland. A total of 70 bombs were dropped in the area, 21 of which failed to explode. Railway lines were demolished, a signal box destroyed, oil tanks set ablaze, and seventeen homes demolished. Elsewhere, Swansea suffered a direct hit on an Anderson shelter, killing five. Casualties across Britain from the day’s attacks included at least 17 killed and over 30 injured.

Enemy Action by Night

Luftwaffe night activity intensified in preparation for the coming assault phase. From 20:15 hours, He 111s of III./KG 55 and II./KG 27 launched from Villacoublay and other bases to strike at Bristol, Avonmouth, Filton, and the Liverpool docks. A Heinkel crashed in Dorset returning from the Filton raid.

Numerous raids crossed the coast at Portland, Southwold, Deal, and the Isle of Wight, and penetrated as far inland as Gloucester, Market Harborough, and Liverpool itself. Bombs fell on Dinas Powis, Saltburn, Bovey Tracey, and the Heaton district of Newcastle. Several mines were laid between Flamborough Head and the Farne Islands. In one successful interception, a Hurricane from No. 10 Group shot down a He 111 over Bristol, the group’s first night victory, aided by a Bristol searchlight battery.

Summary

Sunday, 11 August 1940 demonstrated the Luftwaffe’s evolving tactics and determination to break RAF resistance ahead of the full-scale assault that would begin on 13 August. For the British defenders, the day exacted a heavy toll but also offered a clear sign of their resilience. The aerial war was entering its most dangerous phase, and both sides knew the outcome would be decided not by a single day, but by many hard-fought days ahead.

German Losses:
Airmen: 48 | Aircraft: 38

British Losses:
Airmen: 25 | Aircraft: 28

Hurricane P2951, No. 145 Squadron. Crashed into sea.
F/O G.R. Branch. Missing in action. Believed shot down by Bf 109s off coast.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Branch.htm

Hurricane V7294, No. 145 Squadron. Aircraft crashed on Isle of Wight.
F/O A. Ostowicz killed. Shot down by Bf 109s off Swanage coast. Not seen to bale out.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Ostowicz.htm

Hurricane P2978, No. 238 Squadron. Aircraft lost at sea.
Sgt G. Gledhill killed. Shot down over Channel during combat with unknown enemy aircraft.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Gledhill.htm

Hurricane V7231, No. 87 Squadron Exeter. Crashed into sea.
F/L R.V. Jeff. Missing in action. Last seen in combat over Channel, failed to return to base.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Jeff.htm

Hurricane R4097, No. 238 Squadron. Crashed into sea.
F/L S.C. Walch. Missing in action. Shot down in combat over Channel two miles E of Weymouth
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Walch.htm

Hurricane P3885, No. 601 Squadron. Crashed into sea.
P/O J.L. Smithers killed. Shot down by unknown enemy aircraft. Buried at St Marie Le Havre, France.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Smithers.htm

Hurricane P3819, No. 238 Squadron. Crashed into sea.
F/O M.L. Steborowski killed. Shot down by unknown enemy aircraft over Channel.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Steborowski.htm

Hurricane P3222, No. 238 Squadron. Crashed into sea.
P/O F.N. Cawse killed. Shot down in combat by Bf 109 off coast.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Cawse.htm

Hurricane R4092, No. 601 Squadron. Crashed into sea.
F/O R.S. Demetriadi killed. Shot down by enemy aircraft over Channel. Buried at Cayeuz ser Mer, France.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Demetriadi.htm

Hurricane P3783, No. 601 Squadron. Failed to return to base.
F/O J. Gillan. Missing in action. Believed shot down over Channel during combat.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Gillan.htm

Hurricane L2057, No. 601 Squadron. Failed to return to base.
P/O W.G. Dickie. Missing in action. Last seen in combat over the Channel.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Dickie.htm

Spitfire R6614, No. 152 Squadron. Crashed into sea.
P/O J.S.B. Jones killed. Shot down by Bf 109 in mid Channel. Buried at Le Havre France.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/JonesJSB.htm

Hurricane P2650, No. 213 Squadron. Crashed into sea.
F/L R.D.G. Wight killed. Shot down in combat with enemy aircraft. Believed buried at Cayeux sur Mer.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Wight.htm

Hurricane P3789, No. 213 Squadron. Crashed into sea.
Sgt S.I. Butterfield killed. Shot down by unknown enemy aircraft over Channel.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Butterfield.htm

Hurricane P3172, No. 1 Squadron. Aircraft destroyed.
P/O J.A.J. Davey killed. Hit by gunfire after combat with Bf 110. Attempted forced landing, aircraft burnt out.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/DaveyJAJ.htm

Spitfire R6630, No. 610 Squadron. Failed to return to base.
Sgt W.J. Neville. Missing in action. Shot down while on patrol over French coast.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Neville.htm

Spitfire R6918, No. 610 Squadron. Failed to return to base.
F/Sgt J.H. Tanner killed. Shot down off French coast. Buried at Calais, France.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Tanner.htm

Hurricane P3760, No. 17 Squadron. Crashed into sea.
P/O K. Manger. Missing in action. Crashed in sea after combat with Bf 110 off Suffolk coast.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Manger.htm

Spitfire R6962, No. 74 Squadron. Crashed into sea.
P/O D.N.E. Smith killed. Crashed into sea 30 miles off Harwich after combat with Bf 110.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/SmithDNE.htm

Spitfire R6757, No. 74 Squadron. Crashed into sea.
P/O D.G. Cobden killed. Engaged combat with Bf 110 off Harwich, believed shot down.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Cobden.htm

Hurricane N2667, No. 56 Squadron. Crashed into sea.
Sgt R.D. Baker killed. Mistakenly shot down by unknown Spitfire while on convoy patrol.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/BakerRD.htm

Hurricane P3105, No. 111 Squadron. Crashed into sea.
P/O J.H.H. Copeman killed. Shot down in combat with enemy aircraft over Thames Estuary.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Copeman.htm

Hurricane P3942, No. 111 Squadron. Presumed crashed into sea.
Sgt R.B. Sim. Missing in action. Failed to return after combat with Bf 109 escorts.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Sim.htm

Hurricane P3922, No. 111 Squadron. Crashed into sea.
P/O J.W. McKenzie. Missing in action. Shot down by Bf 109 over Thames Estuary.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/McKenzieJW.htm

Hurricane P3595, No. 111 Squadron. Crashed into sea.
P/O R.R. Wilson. Missing in action. Last seen attacking Bf 109 escorts over Thames Estuary.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/WilsonRR.htm

Photo Descriptions

1. Messerschmitt Bf 110C-6 (2N+ SH) of 1./ErprGr 210. During 1940, Erprobungsgruppe 210 was the only Bf 110 unit to operate the C-6, the version that carried a 30mm MG 101 Kanone in place of the standard 2x20mm weapons.
2. Oberleutnant Theodor Rossiwall of Zerstörergeschwader 26 at the cockpit of his Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter, Western France, Summer 1940. Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-341-0496-33 / Folkerts / CC-BY-SA 3.0.
3. Messerschmitt Bf 110C (A2+AL) of 6./ZG 2 over the south coast of Britain, 1940.
4. Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I P9322 (PR-L) of No. 609 Squadron, flown by Pilot Officer David Crook. On 11 August 1940, Crook shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 110.
5. Soldiers guarding a crash-landed Junkers Ju 88A-1 of Stab II/KG 54 at Portland Head in Dorset, shot down by a No. 213 Squadron Hurricane over Portland Harbour, 11 August 1940. The censor has obscured the background. © IWM (HU 104714)