Supermarine factory at Southampton attacked and wrecked.
Night: Raids on London and Merseyside.
Weather: Mainly fair to cloudy.
Enemy Action by Day
The morning of 26 September 1940 began with fair weather over much of southern England, allowing the Luftwaffe to conduct widespread reconnaissance and minor attacks along the coast. Between dawn and early afternoon, single enemy aircraft harassed locations from Yorkshire to Kent and along the south coast, dropping occasional bombs and testing RAF defences. Although multiple RAF squadrons were scrambled in response, few of these early incursions led to engagement. By late morning, however, Luftflotte 3 launched its largest coordinated daylight operation in several days—a devastating raid against the Vickers-Supermarine works at Southampton.
Large-Scale Morning Attacks in the South-East
At approximately 09:00 hours, around 180 German aircraft, composed of 100 fighters and 80 bombers, crossed the coast between Folkestone and Dover in six formations at altitudes between 15,000 and 20,000 feet. No. 11 Group responded swiftly, scrambling thirteen squadrons, eleven of which made contact with the enemy. No. 12 Group added four more squadrons to patrol vital airfields at North Weald and Hornchurch. Most of the German bombers were turned back before reaching the capital, but some penetrated into central and west London before dispersing back across the coast near Shoreham and Dungeness by 09:43 hours.
Shortly thereafter, between 11:47 and 12:15 hours, a second wave of six bomber formations—totalling some 300 aircraft—approached the Kent coast between Dover and Lympne, climbing as high as 29,000 feet. These formations were again met by RAF squadrons over Kent and East Sussex, with the main combats occurring between Maidstone, Tonbridge, and the Chatham area.
Raid on Filton and the West Country
In the west, a separate raid targeted the Bristol area. At 11:20 hours, two formations comprising approximately 25 bombers, escorted by 45 Bf 110s and a screen of Bf 109s, crossed the coast near Swanage. Their target was the Bristol Aeroplane Company at Filton. Eight squadrons were scrambled to intercept, and although one succeeded in breaking up the bomber formation before it reached the works, several bombs struck RAF Filton. Damage was minor—one hangar was hit, a hydrant water pipe was severed, and five bombs fell harmlessly in open fields. Aircraft serviceability remained unaffected, and no RAF casualties were recorded in that sector.
Devastating Strike on Southampton
By mid-afternoon, the Luftwaffe turned its attention to the strategically vital port and industrial city of Southampton. At 16:28 hours, the first wave of 27 Bf 110s from ZG 26, flying at altitudes of 14,000 feet and including aircraft in a fighter-bomber role, struck the Itchen and Woolston Vickers-Supermarine works. Fifteen minutes later, a second wave of 35 Heinkel He 111 bombers from KG 55, escorted by approximately 50 fighters, approached from the direction of the New Forest and released 70 tons of ordnance across the city and its industrial suburbs.
The effect was devastating. The Supermarine works—where the Spitfire was being produced—suffered direct hits on two major production shops. Although some spare jigs and tooling had already been relocated to the Sewards and Hendy Garages earlier in the month, the majority still remained at the Woolston and Itchen facilities when the attack came. Fortunately, few of these were damaged, which allowed the full-scale dispersal plan to be activated. Even so, production at the site was completely suspended, and three aircraft on the assembly line were destroyed.
Civilian and Infrastructure Damage
Civilian and industrial casualties were high. Eleven people were killed at the gas works, another eleven perished in the docks, and an estimated 100 workers and civilians died in and around the Supermarine site. Additional damage was inflicted on the Gaslight and Coke Company and a grain warehouse at the docks. Power and gas services were disrupted across the eastern portion of the city for several hours. The attack also hit the surrounding area: Dawks gas works sustained significant damage, and multiple residential and commercial buildings were destroyed.
RAF Response and Fighter Engagements
The RAF response had been hindered by the high altitude of the raiders and the speed of their advance. Twelve squadrons were airborne at the time of the attack—eight of them tasked with defending Southampton—but many were vectored too high to intercept the bombers before they reached their target. It was not until the Luftwaffe formations turned for home that four RAF squadrons engaged effectively.
Among those scrambled was No. 303 (Polish) Squadron, which left Northolt in full strength during a visit by King George VI. The squadron’s ‘Red Section’, led by Squadron Leader Ronald Kellett, engaged the bomber formations as they retreated across the Channel. No. 229 Squadron, also in action, succeeded in downing at least one Heinkel into the sea off the Isle of Wight. Spitfires of No. 609 Squadron also took part in the interception and was credited with damaging and possibly downing several enemy aircraft during the withdrawal. Polish pilots from No. 303 Squadron claimed thirteen victories, including seven He 111s, two Do 17s, and four Bf 109s, though post-action verification suggests some overclaiming. Two of their pilots—Sergeant Balc and Pilot Officer Januszewicz—were forced to crash-land in England, both unhurt.
Casualties and Claims
RAF fighter squadrons claimed 32 enemy aircraft destroyed during the day’s actions, with ten more listed as probable and a further eleven damaged. Anti-aircraft units were credited with one additional confirmed kill, alongside one probable and two damaged. RAF losses totalled eight aircraft, with three pilots killed or missing in action.
Evening Raid on Crewe
Later in the afternoon, at approximately 17:50 hours, twenty-five German bombers originating from the Bay of Biscay reached Crewe, having flown up the Irish Sea and across Wales. The raid caused significant damage to Coppenhall Junction, temporarily knocking out all four railway lines through the key marshalling point. The bombers then split into smaller formations and withdrew via Bristol and Poole Bay. No RAF squadrons were able to intercept the raiders en route or during their withdrawal.
As dusk settled, three enemy aircraft were reported over Christchurch and the Southampton area, likely conducting reconnaissance to assess bomb damage. Elsewhere, reconnaissance raids continued between Selsey Bill and Cornwall, with no significant engagements reported.
Enemy Action by Night
Night operations began in earnest around 19:30 hours and continued into the early morning of 27 September. The first wave of approximately 40 enemy aircraft crossed the coast in multiple formations, entering between Cromer and the Humber, Beachy Head and Selsey Bill, and from Le Havre and Cherbourg into the south. Many flew due west across the Midlands and launched attacks on London, Liverpool, Hull, Cambridge, Mildenhall, and Duxford. Suspected minelaying activity was also observed in the Thames Estuary and off North Foreland.
London’s first air raid warning was issued at 20:30 hours. The capital endured continuous bombing until 03:00 hours, with further waves returning between 05:00 and 06:00. One bomb exploded on the Clive Steps outside the Cabinet War Rooms; others hit near the Houses of Parliament and railway infrastructure in Westminster. Castlehaven Road Railway Bridge was badly damaged, and the Crystal Palace line sustained a large fire. Incendiaries also set fires at the Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield at 23:36 hours.
Meanwhile, the northern port city of Liverpool sustained heavy damage. Bombs fell on the docklands, setting ships and warehouses ablaze, with widespread loss of foodstuffs and raw materials. Birkenhead was also hit, with damage reported at the customs office, Great Western Railway warehouse, and theatre district. The railway tunnel between Birkenhead Park and Hamilton Square stations suffered a direct hit.
The Home Security reports for 26 September confirmed that significant industrial disruption occurred across southern and northern England. At Skinningrove, four high-explosive bombs damaged the ironworks, reducing pig iron production by an estimated 33%. In Coventry, a raid struck the Standard Motor Company’s plant at 17:34 hours, injuring 20 people but sparing aircraft production. RAF stations at Henlow, Harwell, Cranfield, West Malling, and Uxbridge sustained minor damage during the night, though no operational impact was reported.
Summary
Although RAF squadrons claimed far higher numbers, verified Luftwaffe losses for 26 September stood at nine aircraft. RAF losses for the day were eight aircraft. The Luftwaffe’s heavy raid on Southampton caused a temporary halt in Spitfire production at the Supermarine works, but key tooling had already been dispersed in advance, and efforts to decentralise the manufacturing process were already well underway. Nevertheless, the attack marked one of the most damaging single raids on Britain’s aircraft industry to date, and the Luftwaffe’s ability to strike deep into industrial heartlands with impunity remained a cause for concern.
German Losses:
Airmen: 18 | Aircraft: 9
British Losses:
Airmen: 3 | Aircraft: 8
Spitfire K9882, No. 152 Squadron
Sgt. J.M. Christie killed. Shot down by Bf 109s in combat over the Channel off Swanage.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/ChristieJMcB.htm
Hurricane P3098, No. 238 Squadron
Sgt. V. Horsky killed. Shot down in combat with Bf 110s over the Solent.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Horsky.htm
Hurricane V7470, No. 253 Squadron
P/O W.M.C. Samolinski killed. Failed to return from combat over the Channel.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Samolinski.htm
Photo Descriptions
- His Majesty King George VI in conversation with Air Vice Marshall Keith Park during a visit to RAF Northolt on 26 September 1940.
- King George VI shakes hands with P/O Mirosław “Ox” Ferić on his visit to RAF Northolt on 26 September 1940. When the pilots of No. 303 Squadron were scrambled near the end of the inspection to counter an attack on Southampton, the seven He 111s, two Do 17s, and four Bf 109s claimed during the afternoon were attributed to the presence of their royal visitor earlier that day. On the latter’s request, the results of the fight were relayed to Buckingham Palace.
- A still from camera-gun film taken from a Supermarine Spitfire Mark I of No. 609 Squadron, flown by Pilot Officer J D Bisdee, as he dives on a formation of Heinkel He IIIs of KG 55 which had just bombed the Supermarine aircraft works at Woolston, Southampton on 26 September 1940. © IWM (CH 1826)
- A still from camera-gun film taken from a Supermarine Spitfire Mark I of No. 609 Squadron, flown by Pilot Officer J D Bisdee, as he dived on a formation of Heinkel He IIIs of KG 55 which had just bombed the Supermarine aircraft works at Woolston, Southampton on 26 September 1940. Tracer bullets can be seen heading towards the formation as Bisdee opens fire. © IWM (CH 1832)
- A still from camera-gun film taken from a Supermarine Spitfire Mark I of No. 609 Squadron, flown by Pilot Officer J D Bisdee, as he dives on a formation of Heinkel He 111s of KG 55 which have just bombed the Supermarine aircraft works at Woolston, Southampton on 26 September 1940. The rearmost aircraft of the leading ‘staffel’ receives a burst of machine gun fire from Bisdee, as shown by the streaks of light from the tracer bullets. Its port engine is also on fire. © IWM (CH 1827)
- A still from camera-gun film taken from a Supermarine Spitfire Mark I flown by the Commanding Officer of No. 609 Squadron, Squadron Leader H S Darley, as he opens fire amongst a formation of Heinkel He 111s of KG 55 which have just bombed the Supermarine aircraft works at Woolston, Southampton on 26 September 1940. © IWM (CH 1829)
- The Supermarine Aircraft Works at Woolston, Southampton after being bombed by the Luftwaffe on 26 September 1940