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 Adlerangriff would not officially begin until 13 August, Luftwaffe activity intensified sharply after several quieter days caused by poor weather. Fighter sweeps and attacks around Dover drew RAF squadrons towards the Straits while a much larger force approached Portland and Weymouth. Further formations attacked shipping in the Thames Estuary and off East Anglia, forcing Fighter Command to defend several widely separated areas.

The fighting developed into the heaviest of the battle so far. Fighter Command lost twenty-nine Hurricanes and Spitfires destroyed or subsequently written off, while twenty-five pilots were killed or reported missing.

Enemy Action by Day

At 08:00 hours, Hauptmann Walter Rubensdörffer led seventeen Bf 110 fighter-bombers of Erprobungsgruppe 210 in a low-level attack on Dover. Protected by Bf 109s, the formation strafed the harbour and balloon barrage before dropping light bombs. Three of the eight barrage balloons operated by No. 961 Balloon Squadron were destroyed, while fires were started around the harbour and nearby houses suffered minor damage.

Hurricanes of No. 32 Squadron and Spitfires of Nos. 64 and 74 Squadrons were sent to intercept. No. 74 Squadron, led by Squadron Leader A.G. “Sailor” Malan, encountered Bf 109s of JG 51, while Nos. 32 and 64 Squadrons engaged fighters of I./JG 2.

Pilot Officer P.C.F. Stevenson of No. 74 Squadron attacked twelve Bf 109s but was shot down in Spitfire P9393 approximately one mile off Dover. He baled out and was rescued by a motor torpedo boat after drifting several miles from the coast. Pilot Officer D.N.E. Smith’s Spitfire R6962 was struck by a bullet during the fighting but remained serviceable and returned to action later that morning.

The German fighter sweeps continued as the main assault gathered over the Cherbourg Peninsula. At approximately 10:45 hours, Sergeant J. Whelan of No. 64 Squadron returned to Kenley in Spitfire P9450 with combat damage that prevented the undercarriage from lowering. He successfully crash-landed and escaped injury.

Shortly after 11:00 hours, Spitfires of No. 610 Squadron encountered Bf 109s about ten miles off Dover. Spitfires R6918 and R6630 failed to return. Sergeant J.H. Tanner was killed, while Sergeant W.J. Neville was reported missing.

10:04–11:30 Hours: Assault on Portland and Weymouth

Shortly after 10:00 hours, radar detected several large formations assembling over the Cherbourg Peninsula. Nos. 1 and 609 Squadrons were already airborne, while Nos. 87, 145, 152, 213 and 238 Squadrons were scrambled shortly afterwards. No. 601 Squadron, patrolling around St Catherine’s Point, was also diverted towards the approaching raid.

The German force comprised Ju 88s of I. and II./KG 54 and He 111s of KG 27, protected by Bf 110s of I. and II./ZG 2 and Bf 109s of III./JG 2. Fighters of JG 27 provided additional cover as the formation withdrew. The raid approached across a broad front extending from Portland to Weymouth Bay.

The German fighters reached the target area ahead of the bombers and attempted to draw the defending squadrons away. Spitfires of No. 609 Squadron engaged the Bf 110s at high altitude, while Hurricanes of Nos. 1, 87, 145, 213, 238 and 601 Squadrons fought the escorts south of Swanage and Portland Bill. Only four Spitfires of No. 152 Squadron initially succeeded in reaching the bombers.

Squadron Leader H.S. Darley led No. 609 Squadron against the Bf 110s, directing his pilots to attack from the beam and avoid the concentrated forward armament of the twin-engined fighters. The squadron claimed five Bf 110s destroyed. Among the German losses was Bf 110C W.Nr. 3078, 3M+AB, flown by Major Ernst Ott, the commanding officer of I./ZG 2, who was killed.

The British fighter squadrons suffered heavily as the battle spread across the Channel. Pilot Officer J.A.J. Davey of No. 1 Squadron was killed when his damaged Hurricane P3172 crashed and burned during an attempted forced landing on Sandown golf course. Pilot Officer R.H. Shaw returned to Tangmere in Hurricane P3405 with approximately thirty bullet strikes and damaged controls. Shaw believed that another Hurricane may have fired on him; although he escaped injury, P3405 was subsequently written off.

No. 87 Squadron lost two Hurricanes. Acting Flight Lieutenant R.V. Jeff disappeared after diving to attack enemy aircraft south of Portland Bill in V7231. Pilot Officer J.R. Cock was shot down in V7233 but baled out with a slight arm wound, landed in the sea close to the coast and swam ashore.

Flying Officers G.R. Branch and A. Ostowicz of No. 145 Squadron were killed when Hurricanes P2951 and V7294 were shot down south of Swanage. Pilot Officer A.N.C. Weir was slightly injured after bringing his damaged Hurricane down near Christchurch, while Pilot Officer J.H. Harrison landed safely at Gosport with a bullet hole in the port wing of Hurricane N2495.

Pilot Officer J.S.B. Jones of No. 152 Squadron was shot down in Spitfire R6614 during combat with Bf 109s over Weymouth Bay. Although he succeeded in baling out, he did not survive.

No. 213 Squadron lost Flight Lieutenant R.D.G. Wight in Hurricane P3789 and Sergeant S.L. Butterfield in N2650. Both aircraft disappeared during combat with Bf 110s near Portland Bill. Pilot Officer A.G. Osmand returned in Hurricane N2708 with its hydraulic system and controls damaged and crashed while landing at Exeter, but escaped injury.

No. 238 Squadron lost four Hurricanes south of Swanage. Sergeant G. Gledhill was killed in P2978, Flight Lieutenant S.C. Walch was reported missing in R4097, Flying Officer M.J. Steborowski was reported missing in P3819 and Pilot Officer F.N. Cawse was killed in P3222. Hurricane P3124 returned badly damaged, while P2827 was struck by defensive fire from a He 111.

Four Hurricanes of No. 601 Squadron were also lost. Pilot Officer J.L. Smithers was killed in P3885, while Flying Officers R.S. Demetriadi and J. Gillan and Pilot Officer W.G. Dickie were reported missing in R4092, P3783 and L2057. Two other Hurricanes returned damaged.

Despite the resistance, a substantial part of the German bomber force reached Portland and Weymouth. Bombs struck the gasworks and oil-storage facilities, starting major fires, while railway tracks and the station signal box were destroyed. Rail services to Weymouth were suspended, seventeen houses were demolished and more than 150 others were damaged. One civilian was killed and twenty-two were injured.

Admiralty Floating Dock AFD19 was holed by bomb splinters while holding the anti-submarine trawler HMS Hertfordshire, which also suffered minor damage. The destroyers HMS Scimitar and HMS Skate were damaged by near misses, with the bridge of Skate badly damaged. The trawler Peter Carey was also seriously damaged.

At approximately 10:40 hours, Ju 88A-1 B3+DC of Stab II./KG 54 was brought down by Sub-Lieutenant D.M. Jeram and Flight Lieutenant J.M. Strickland of No. 213 Squadron. The bomber crash-landed near Blacknor Fort on Portland, and all four members of its crew were captured.

Ten minutes later, fighters of Nos. 87 and 213 Squadrons shot down a Ju 88 of 3./KG 54 into the sea. Three members of its crew were killed or reported missing, while the fourth was rescued. Another Ju 88A-1, B3+CC, of Stab II./KG 54 was shot down while bombing Portland Harbour. One crewman was captured, one drowned after baling out and two were reported missing.

11:48–12:45 Hours: Convoy Fighting off East Anglia

At 11:48 hours, Bf 110 fighter-bombers of Erprobungsgruppe 210 and Do 17s of 9./KG 2 attacked Convoy Booty off the East Anglian coast. Bf 110s of ZG 26 protected the bombers as Hurricanes of Nos. 17 and 85 Squadrons and Spitfires of No. 74 Squadron intercepted near Orfordness and Harwich.

Nos. 17 and 85 Squadrons claimed four Bf 110s destroyed and several others damaged. Pilot Officer K. Manger of No. 17 Squadron was reported missing after Hurricane P3760 crashed into the sea. Flying Officer D.H.W. Hanson returned in P3539 with damage to the cockpit and undercarriage, while Pilot Officer L.W. Stevens brought P3892 back with further combat damage. A Hurricane of No. 85 Squadron was also struck by return fire from a Bf 110 but landed safely.

No. 74 Squadron lost two Spitfires approximately thirty miles east of Harwich. Pilot Officer D.G. Cobden was killed in R6757, while Pilot Officer D.N.E. Smith was killed in R6962—the same aircraft that had been damaged over Dover earlier that morning.

At approximately 12:45 hours, Hurricane N2667 of No. 56 Squadron crashed into the sea about fifteen miles south-east of Walton-on-the-Naze. Sergeant R.D. Baker baled out and was rescued but subsequently died. The cause of the loss remains uncertain.

The destroyer HMS Esk was damaged by bombing at Harwich and required a week of repairs. The 3,829-ton freighter Kirnwood and the 5,550-ton tanker Oil Trader were also damaged during attacks off East Anglia.

14:00–15:15 Hours: Attacks off North Foreland

Early that afternoon, another German force approached the Thames Estuary and North Foreland. The formation included Do 17s of II. and III./KG 2 and Ju 87 dive-bombers of II./StG 1 and IV.(St)/LG 1, protected by Bf 109s. Hurricanes of No. 111 Squadron and Spitfires of No. 74 Squadron intercepted.

Pilot Officer H.M. Stephen of No. 74 Squadron shot down a Bf 109E-1 of 2./JG 3 near Margate. Its pilot, Feldwebel H.-H. Heise, was killed. RAF fighters also claimed two Ju 87s destroyed during the fighting.

No. 111 Squadron entered combat off North Foreland shortly after 14:00 hours and lost four Hurricanes at approximately 14:15. Pilot Officer J.H.H. Copeman was killed in P3922, while Pilot Officers J.W. McKenzie and R.R. Wilson and Sergeant R.B. Sim were reported missing in P3105, P3595 and P3942.

Sergeant H.S. Newton survived after Hurricane P3548 exhausted its fuel following the engagement and crash-landed on marshland near Boyton at approximately 15:15 hours. Although Newton escaped injury, the aircraft was subsequently written off.

The destroyer HMS Windsor was damaged by bombing near the Botany Buoy in the Thames Estuary and required repairs lasting until the end of October. The naval trawler Edwardian was also badly damaged off Kent. Three members of her crew were killed and three wounded before the vessel was run aground near North Foreland to prevent her sinking.

19:08 Hours: Reconnaissance Aircraft Shot Down over Yorkshire

Later, at 19:08 hours, Green Section of No. 41 Squadron intercepted a Ju 88A-1 of 1.(F)/121 over Yorkshire. The aircraft, W.Nr. 2086 and coded 7A+KH, had flown from Stavanger-Sola on a reconnaissance mission covering Dishforth and Linton-on-Ouse.

Flying Officer J.G. Boyle in Spitfire R6635, Sergeant E.V. Darling in R6885 and Pilot Officer R.W. Wallens in R6612 attacked the Ju 88 and forced it down on Newton Moor near Scaling. Leutnant Heinrich Meier was killed, while Feldwebel Otto Höfft, Oberleutnant Hans Marzusch and Feldwebel Karl-Heinz Hacker were captured.

Bomber Command Activity

During the day, Blenheims of No. 107 Squadron attacked airfields and other targets across the Channel. Blenheim T1850 failed to return from a sortie against Dinard airfield. Squadron Leader J.B. Fyfe, Sergeant P.B. Taylor and Sergeant T.O. Price were reported missing. Another Blenheim was struck by anti-aircraft fire south-east of Maasluis during an unsuccessful attack on an airfield in the Netherlands but returned safely.

That night, Bomber Command attacked oil installations, industrial targets and railway facilities in western Germany. Hampden L4036 of No. 49 Squadron was caught by searchlights and shot down by anti-aircraft fire at Homert while attacking the oil refinery at Dortmund. Pilot Officer R.F. Gower, Sergeant A.J. Baum, Sergeant P.W.N. Jelley and Pilot Officer E.A. Harris were killed.

Whitley P4983 of No. 51 Squadron was damaged by anti-aircraft fire while attacking the synthetic-oil plant at Gelsenkirchen. Running short of fuel, the aircraft force-landed at Jever during the early hours of 12 August. All five members of the crew were captured, two of them wounded.

Wellington P9244 of No. 149 Squadron struck a radio mast while approaching Mildenhall after a raid on the oil refinery at Wanne-Eickel. The aircraft crashed at Beck Row at 03:48 hours, killing Pilot Officers J.G. Miller, J. Body and R.E. Houseman and Sergeants J.J. Scott, R.J. Cocks and J.H. Swift.

Home Front

The attacks caused extensive damage around Weymouth and Portland. Approximately seventy bombs fell in the area, twenty-one of which failed to explode. Railway lines were severed, oil tanks set alight and large numbers of homes damaged or destroyed.

Bombs also fell on York shortly after 22:00 hours in the city’s first sustained air raid of the war. Explosions in York Cemetery and surrounding residential streets caused three casualties and damaged more than 200 properties.

Enemy Action by Night

After dark, individual German bombers and small formations crossed the coast at Portland, Deal, Southwold and the Isle of Wight. Aircraft penetrated towards Bristol, South Wales, the Midlands, north-eastern England and Merseyside, while other raiders undertook minelaying sorties along the east coast.

Bombs fell around Bristol, Plymouth, Liverpool, Dinas Powis, Bovey Tracey, Saltburn and the Heaton district of Newcastle. Liverpool experienced its heaviest raid of the war thus far, although the bombing remained scattered rather than concentrated. Mines were laid in the coastal approaches between Flamborough Head and the Farne Islands.

Summary

The fighting demonstrated the scale of the air battles that would follow during the coming week. The Luftwaffe mounted coordinated attacks from Dover to Portland and along the East Anglian coast, damaging ports, communications and shipping while forcing Fighter Command to defend several widely separated areas.

The German attacks inflicted heavy losses but failed to overwhelm Fighter Command or prevent RAF squadrons from repeatedly reaching the bombers. With twenty-five British fighter pilots killed or missing, 11 August became Fighter Command’s costliest day of the battle thus far.

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)