Weather: Conditions on 4 July 1940 were generally fair, with clear visibility across much of the south and west of England. Inland areas saw light cloud cover and warm summer temperatures. Over the Channel and coastal regions, haze persisted, particularly in the Straits of Dover and around Portland Bill, but flying conditions remained suitable for operations.
Enemy Action by Day
While overall German air activity on 4 July remained comparatively limited, the day is remembered for one of the most devastating Luftwaffe attacks on British naval forces during the early phase of the Battle of Britain. The principal event occurred in Portland Harbour, where the anti-aircraft ship HMS Foylebank, recently converted from a merchant vessel, was subjected to a concentrated dive-bombing attack by elements of Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 (StG 2), operating Junkers Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers.
Shortly after 08:00 hours, twenty-six Stukas approached Portland from the south, initially believed by some observers to be friendly aircraft returning from patrol. However, as the sirens sounded and the characteristic scream of diving Stukas filled the air, it became clear this was a major attack. Foylebank, anchored in the harbour to defend against aerial assault, opened fire with her anti-aircraft guns. Despite her defensive efforts and the bravery of her crew, she was overwhelmed by the scale and precision of the attack. In just eight minutes, approximately 22 bombs struck the ship, causing catastrophic damage. The vessel took on a heavy list to port and began to sink, enveloped in smoke and flame.
The toll was severe. Of her 298 crew, 176 were killed and many more seriously wounded. Among the crew was Leading Seaman Jack Foreman Mantle, who, although mortally wounded, remained at his post on a 20mm pom-pom gun and continued to fire at the attacking aircraft. For his gallantry, Mantle was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross — one of only a handful awarded for actions on British soil during the war. His citation reads:
Leading Seaman Jack Mantle was in charge of the Starboard pom‑pom when FOYLEBANK was attacked by enemy aircraft on the 4th of July, 1940. Early in the action his left leg was shattered by a bomb, but he stood fast at his gun and went on firing with hand-gear only; for the ship’s electric power had failed. Almost at once he was wounded again in many places. Between his bursts of fire he had time to reflect on the grievous injuries of which he was soon to die; but his great courage bore him up till the end of the fight, when he fell by the gun he had so valiantly served.
The London Gazette, Tuesday 3 September, 1940
The Stuka attack on Foylebank served as a sobering example of the vulnerability of stationary ships to precision dive-bombing. While two of the attacking aircraft were shot down during the engagement, the Luftwaffe had demonstrated the deadly effectiveness of its Ju 87s against naval targets.
Elsewhere along the southern coast, Luftwaffe reconnaissance flights and occasional light raids were reported, though no large-scale engagements occurred. Convoy activity in the Channel was limited, and RAF Fighter Command maintained readiness but made no significant interceptions outside the Portland incident. German aircraft were occasionally seen approaching the coasts of Suffolk and Kent, but these either turned back or failed to reach inland targets.
Aftermath and Strategic Significance
The attack on HMS Foylebank marked a significant escalation in Luftwaffe efforts to neutralise British naval defences along the south coast. It underlined the threat posed by the Ju 87 in the opening phase of the campaign, particularly against ships in confined waters. Yet the attack also exposed a growing reliance on Stuka operations, which, though devastating in the absence of air opposition, would soon suffer heavy losses once RAF Fighter Command intensified countermeasures. The destruction of Foylebank forced a re-evaluation of anchorage vulnerability and precipitated stronger coastal air defence coordination.
In Germany, Luftwaffe planning continued to focus on wearing down the RAF in preparation for Unternehmen Seelöwe (Operation Sea Lion), the proposed invasion of Britain. Reconnaissance missions continued to assess airfield activity, radar installations, and shipping routes.
Photo Descriptions
- Launches go to the rescue of survivors from the HMS Foylebank as she is dive-bombed and machine-gunned in Portland harbour on 4 July 1940.
- HMS Foylebank shrouded in smoke and sinking on 4 July 1940. As the fires onboard raged, the electricity failed and the stricken ship listed to port, finally sinking the following day.
- HMS Foylebank listing to port and enveloped in smoke following the Luftwaffe attack, 4 July 1940.
- Victoria Cross recipient Leading Seaman Jack Foreman Mantle.
- An illustration depicting Jack Mantle manning a 20mm pom-pom gun during the Luftwaffe attack on 4 July 1940.