Reduced activity in the south-east and East Anglia.
Night: Raids on London and Merseyside.
Weather: Fine at the start and end of the day, cloudy in-between.
Enemy Action by Day
The weather remained generally fine, though cloud cover dominated the middle part of the day. Enemy activity was limited in comparison to previous days, with most Luftwaffe operations consisting of high-level fighter sweeps, reconnaissance missions, and several small-scale shipping attacks. The Luftwaffe’s focus remained on probing British defences with reduced bomber formations while maintaining pressure through night raids on major urban and industrial centres, including London, Liverpool, and the Midlands.
Morning Activity and Fighter Sweeps over the South-East
During the early hours, sporadic reconnaissance flights and fighter patrols were detected over Kent, Surrey, and as far west as Reading. Between 06:50 and 09:00 hours, German aircraft were active over Berkshire, Essex, Kent, and Surrey, though no significant incidents were recorded. At 09:10 hours, a single enemy aircraft crossed the coast at Lyme Bay and continued inland over Somerset and Wiltshire.
Around 11:20 hours, eighteen high-explosive bombs were dropped near the naval base at Lowestoft. The detonation of a landmine triggered the explosion of nearby ammunition, causing considerable damage to property, water mains, and telegraph lines. Several civilian injuries and fatalities were reported.
Reconnaissance flights continued along the East Kent coast and the Thames Estuary during the late morning. A lone Dornier Do 215 penetrated inland from Ramsgate, passing over Maidstone and Northolt before being intercepted and shot down at Taplow.
At 11:27 hours, a convoy in the Portsmouth area came under attack, followed closely by a distress call from another convoy off the North Wales coast at 11:35 hours. British fighters were unable to intercept either attack in time, resulting in damage to several vessels.
Afternoon Fighter Engagements
At 16:10 hours, three German formations—estimated at fifty, twenty, and twenty aircraft respectively—crossed the coast west of Dungeness at roughly ten-minute intervals. A separate group of twelve aircraft penetrated inland over Dover. All formations were composed exclusively of high-flying fighters, most likely Bf 109s from Jagdgeschwader 3 and Jagdgeschwader 53.
While most of the formations curved westward beyond the London area and then south again, a splinter group veered toward Central London. The rest penetrated approximately 25 miles inland before turning back. RAF fighters, including squadrons from No. 11 Group, engaged several formations during these movements. Between 17:20 and 17:38 hours, JG 53 and JG 3 pilots claimed several Hurricanes south of London.
Two friendly fire incidents involving No. 253 Squadron took place during the day’s aerial engagements. Pilot Officer C. Graves, flying Hurricane Mk I V6621, was mistakenly shot down by another Hurricane during an engagement over Weybridge, Surrey, at 18:30 hours. He bailed out near Chailey, Sussex, sustaining burns, and was taken to Brockley Park Hospital in Haywards Heath. Prior to being shot down, Graves had claimed a Bf 109 flown by Oblt. Walter Layerer of 2./JG 77, who was killed in the engagement.
Flight Lieutenant R. M. B. D. Duke-Woolley, also of No. 253 Squadron, in Hurricane Mk I P3609, was likewise attacked by a fellow RAF pilot. His aircraft suffered damage to the fuel tank and rudder controls, but he returned safely to base.
Evening Incursions and Interceptions
Between 18:00 and 19:00 hours, three small formations—comprising nine, three, and three aircraft respectively—were plotted over St George’s Channel. RAF fighters intercepted the raiders and succeeded in destroying one enemy aircraft during the engagements. At the same time, isolated reconnaissance sorties continued over Kent, with enemy aircraft observed over Eastchurch and Detling.
At dusk, a German aircraft disguised with British markings was reported laying mines near the Farne Islands. It is also believed to have launched a torpedo attack against a Royal Navy vessel.
Enemy Action by Night
German night operations commenced at approximately 19:30 hours with the first enemy raids plotted approaching the Sussex coast from Dieppe. From 20:00 hours onwards, a steady stream of aircraft crossed between Portsmouth and Beachy Head, most heading directly for London. Others took a northwesterly course toward Middle Wallop
Between 21:00 and 02:00 hours, additional enemy formations crossed between Poole and Start Point en route to South Wales, with some continuing on to Liverpool. At 22:30 hours, Heinkel He 111s from III./KG 27 launched a major raid on Liverpool, causing extensive fires at Duke’s Dock and Salthouse Dock. Four warehouses, including one storing grain, were set ablaze.
East Anglia and the City of London Hit
Raids also came in from the east, crossing the coast between Clacton and the Wash. While some of these aircraft approached London from the northeast, others bombed locations in East Anglia and the Midlands. Significant damage was reported in central London, including serious fires on Upper Thames Street, and in Horse Shoe Wharf, Cannon Street, and Carter Lane. An unexploded bomb landed in the southeast corner of St Paul’s Churchyard, forcing the closure of Cheapside and Queen Victoria Street. Several hospitals, including those in West Middlesex, Staines, and Uxbridge, suffered damage.
Additional Bombing Activity and Final Raids
At 21:20 hours, high-explosive bombs fell on the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, rupturing a major water main. Industrial facilities across Acton, Mitcham, and Hendon were damaged during the night. Among these were the Napier & Son Ltd and Hoopers Coach Builders factories, where unexploded bombs were later reported. A severe fire broke out at the Bryant & Carton Factory in Mitcham, and the Waterloo Road works of Messrs. S. Smith & Sons sustained further damage.
Rail lines also suffered disruption, with tracks blocked at Acton, Twickenham, Ashford, and between Ascot and Bagshot. Eastbourne reported major damage to four tracks and an unsafe bridge.
At 02:50 hours, a trend emerged of German aircraft departing London via the Thames Estuary. Activity over London continued until 03:05 hours, at which point the final enemy raiders withdrew.
RAF and Luftwaffe Losses
The RAF lost six aircraft during the day, with two pilots confirmed killed or missing. Luftwaffe losses included at least one Heinkel He 111 from 9./KG 55, which was shot down over the Irish Sea during an attempted bombing run on factories near Gloucester. Another aircraft from the same Staffel reached Caen before crashing.
Fourteen German fighter pilots claimed victories over England. Among the top scorers were Hauptmann Walter Oesau of Stab III./JG 51, who claimed two Spitfires to bring his tally to 33, and Oberleutnant Ignaz Prestele of 2./JG 53, who claimed two Hurricanes shot down near London. These and other victories were also attributed to pilots from JG 3, JG 51, and JG 53.
Summary
Although the scale of Luftwaffe operations was reduced compared to earlier in the month, the day and night of 29 September 1940 saw widespread probing attacks, extensive reconnaissance flights, and destructive night raids. London and Liverpool remained primary targets, while isolated actions along the coasts and in the Midlands demonstrated the Luftwaffe’s continued ability to harass British infrastructure. Despite occasional successes by German fighter aces, the RAF remained effective in intercepting formations and inflicting losses, though friendly fire continued to be a concern under high-intensity conditions.
German Losses:
Airmen: 16 | Aircraft: 9
British Losses:
Airmen: 2 | Aircraft: 6
Hurricane P5177, No. 79 Squadron
F/O G.C.B. Peters killed. Failed to return after intercepting He 111s over the Irish Sea.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Peters.htm
Hurricane V7312, No. 615 Squadron
P/O J. McGibbon killed. Dived into ground from 7,000ft during routine practice flight.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/McGibbon.htm
Photo Descriptions
- Sergeant Bernard ‘Jimmy’ Jennings of No 19 Squadron rests on a starter trolley while giving a combat report to the squadron ‘spy’ (intelligence officer) at Fowlmere, the satellite airfield of Duxford, late September 1940. © IWM (CH 1360)
- Flying Officer Hugh Tamblyn of No 242 Squadron, photographed on Squadron Leader Douglas Bader’s Hurricane at Duxford, late September 1940. © IWM (CH 1410)
- Flying Officer Frank Brinsden, a New Zealander with No 19 Squadron, at ease in the spartan living accommodation at Fowlmere, the satellite airfield of Duxford, late September 1940. Brinsden had been shot down on 31 August 1940, but baled out safely. © IWM (CH 1466)