Airfield attacks in two phases. Park (CinC No 11 Group) orders special cover for fighter factories.

Night: Continuous activity over southern England.

Weather: Continuing fine and warm with cloud developing later.

Enemy Action by Day

The day began with fine weather, ideal for flying operations but unwelcome for Fighter Command, which had hoped for a brief respite after several days of sustained attacks. Early morning reconnaissance flights near Deal and Dungeness suggested that another coordinated operation was imminent. Shortly afterwards, radar stations detected the first signs of enemy activity as formations assembled behind Calais. By 09:35 hours, approximately seventy German aircraft crossed the coast near Dungeness, with the main force driving inland toward Biggin Hill while other formations turned north toward Maidstone. A second wave of around fifty aircraft crossed further east, flying toward the Isle of Sheppey before splitting toward Hornchurch and Harwich.

Morning Assault on Biggin Hill

Biggin Hill, already heavily damaged by repeated attacks in previous days, again became the principal objective. Bombers of KG 2, escorted by Bf 109s of II./JG 3, pressed toward the airfield while diversionary attacks developed against Croydon, Eastchurch, Lympne, and North Weald. Fighter Command scrambled five squadrons to intercept the raids, including No. 79 Squadron, the only unit still operating from Biggin Hill itself, No. 72 Squadron from Croydon., and No. 41 Squadron from Hornchurch.

Heavy fighting soon spread across Kent and South London as RAF fighters attempted to break through the German escort screen and reach the bombers.

At 10:10 hours, Flight Lieutenant J. T. Webster of No. 41 Squadron shot down a Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 1985, “6+”) of 1./JG 3 during combat over Croydon. The aircraft force-landed at Handen Farm, Chapfall, near Aldington, and Lt. Heinz Schnabel, credited with six victories, was captured.

Twenty minutes later, Webster brought down another Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 750, “7+”) of 3./JG 3, which force-landed near Wichling, Faversham. Uffz. H. Grabow was captured.

At around the same time, Flying Officer J. G. Boyle of No. 41 Squadron shot down a Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 1949) of 1./JG 52 during combat over Ashford. The aircraft crashed at Bethersden, and Uffz. E. Kind was killed.

At 10:50 hours, twelve Bf 109s attacked the Dover barrage balloons. Anti-aircraft guns opened fire, destroying one and damaging another.

At 11:15 hours, Flying Officer L. A. Haines of No. 19 Squadron shot down a Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 1096, “6+”) of 1./JG 54 during combat over Maidstone. The aircraft crashed into houses in Hardy Street, Maidstone; Uffz. F. Hotzelmann baled out and was captured.

One of the most dramatic episodes of the morning occurred over Marden, where a Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 1480, “<+-”) of 2./JG 3, flown by Oblt. Franz von Werra, adjutant of Stab II./JG 3, was shot down during combat over Kent. The aircraft force-landed at Winchet Hill near Love’s Farm, Marden, and von Werra was captured. Credit for the victory was shared between Pilot Officer G. H. Bennions of No. 41 Squadron and Flying Officer B. G. Stapleton of No. 603 Squadron. Von Werra’s capture marked the beginning of one of the most extraordinary escape stories of the war.

Lt. Heinz Schnabel of 1./JG 3, with six confirmed victories, was also shot down and taken prisoner.

The morning action involved several Jagdwaffe units, among them JG 3, JG 52, JG 54, and LG 2. Notable claims included Oblt. Herbert Ihlefeld (2./LG 2), who claimed two Spitfires, while single victories were attributed to Oblt. Willy Stange and Lt. Franz Beyer (both 8./JG 3), Lt. Hans Berthel (Stab I./JG 52), Oblt. Karl-Heinz Leesmann (2./JG 52), Hptm. Fritz Ultsch (Stab III./JG 54), Lt. Max-Hellmuth Ostermann (7./JG 54), and Uffz. Karl-Heinz Kempf (9./JG 54).

Despite the heavy escort, British fighters inflicted damage on the bomber formations, although Biggin Hill again sustained serious damage. Group Captain Grice, its station commander, reported that only one hangar remained standing—and even that had been gutted by fire. Orders were given to prepare it for demolition in the event of another raid.

Afternoon Battles Over the Thames Estuary and Kent

A second major attack developed shortly before 15:00 hours. Between 14:56 and 15:30 hours, over 160 aircraft crossed the Kent coast and the Thames Estuary, targeting airfields and industrial sites. Up to 100 aircraft approached Biggin Hill but appeared to have turned away before reaching the sector station. Others broke off toward Hornchurch, while a separate formation of 50 bombers was intercepted near Dungeness.

One of the main targets of the afternoon assault was the oil storage depot at Thameshaven. Approximately 50 Ju 88s and He 111s, escorted by up to 100 Bf 109s at high altitude, bombed the site. Giant black clouds of burning oil were visible across the region.

Spitfires of No. 72 Squadron and Hurricanes of No. 73 Squadron attempted to intercept the bomber formations over the Thames Estuary, but were met by strong Bf 109 escort cover. Four Hurricanes were shot down during the engagement, and one pilot was killed.

Fierce combat developed around Thameshaven as RAF fighters pressed repeated attacks against both bombers and escorts, inflicting significant losses on the withdrawing German formations.

At 15:20 hours, Flight Lieutenant A. W. A. Bayne of No. 17 Squadron and Sergeant E. Scott of No. 222 Squadron shot down a Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 5291) of 3./JG 54 during combat over Thameshaven. The aircraft crashed at Little Chalvedon Hall, Bowers Gifford, Pitsea, killing Hptm. Fritz Ultsch, Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG 54.

Moments later, Flying Officer Count M. B. Czernin of No. 17 Squadron destroyed another Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 5284) of 9./JG 54, which crashed at South Benfleet. Fw. H. Dettmer baled out, but his parachute failed to open and he was later found dead in Pitsea Marshes.

At 15:30 hours, a He 111H-2 (W.Nr. 2632, A1+GR) of 7./KG 53 was shot down during combat over Thameshaven by a combined attack from Sergeant C. A. Chew and Flying Officer Count M. B. Czernin of No. 17 Squadron, Pilot Officer E. S. Lock of No. 41 Squadron, and Squadron Leader M. W. S. Robinson of No. 73 Squadron. The aircraft crashed into the sea west of Margate Hook Beacon. Fw. H. Bohn baled out, though his body later washed ashore at Reculver, while Uffz. K. Bickl, Uffz. F. Bolz, Uffz. F. Rosenberger, and Gefr. K. Haak were reported missing, believed drowned.

Another He 111H-3 (W.Nr. 3338, A1+CR) of 7./KG 53, was brought down shortly afterwards through a combination of anti-aircraft fire and attacks by Flying Officer Czernin, Pilot Officer Lock, and Sergeant J. J. Brimble of No. 73 Squadron. The aircraft crashed into the sea off the Nore. Fw. A. Maier and Uffz. H. Lenger were rescued by a Royal Navy launch, but Fw. E. Agner, Uffz. R. Armbruster, and Gefr. A. Nowotny were lost.

During these engagements, a tragic mid-air collision claimed the life of Flight Lieutenant J. T. Webster of No. 41 Squadron. Hurricane P3204 of No. 73 Squadron, flown by Flight Lieutenant R. Lovett, had been hit by defensive fire from a Ju 88 and was descending sharply when it collided with Spitfire R6635 (“EB-M”), flown by Webster, which was climbing into attack. Lovett successfully baled out and landed safely near Rawreth, close to the Carpenters Arms Public House, while his Hurricane crashed in a flat spin behind Nevendon Hall. Webster also attempted to escape, but fell to his death after baling out. His Spitfire broke apart over the Southend Arterial Road, scattering wreckage across the surrounding fields near Laindon. The fuselage crashed near Bromfords Farm, while parts of the aircraft—including a wing, propeller, pilot’s seat, Mae West, diaries, and the Merlin engine—were recovered from locations around Cranfield Park Road and Newlands Farm. Webster’s body was later found beside the Southend Arterial Road opposite the Nevendon Police Houses.

Elsewhere, Detling aerodrome came under renewed attack, though the damage was comparatively slight. The Hawker factory at Brooklands also sustained minor damage, while in Maidstone several bombs struck residential areas, demolishing part of a street and causing further disruption to the town.

As the German formations withdrew toward the Channel, fierce fighting continued over the Thames Estuary and the Kent coast. At 15:38 hours, Pilot Officer J. Zurakowski of No. 234 Squadron shot down a Bf 109E-1 (W.Nr. 6252) of 9./JG 53 during combat over Sheppey. The aircraft crashed into the sea off Hastings, and Fw. A. Ochsenkuhn was later rescued by the lifeboat Cyril and Lilian Bishop.

Seven minutes later, Flight Lieutenant P. C. Hughes of No. 234 Squadron brought down another Bf 109E-1 (W.Nr. 5375) of JG 53, which force-landed at Monkton Farm, Manston. Hptm. W. Meyerweissflog was captured.

Flight Lieutenant A. Rabagliati of No. 46 Squadron took a cannon-armed Hurricane into combat for the first time during the afternoon fighting, flying alongside other RAF fighters over the Thames Estuary. At 15:50 hours, he joined Pilot Officer R. F. T. Doe and Flight Lieutenant P. C. Hughes of No. 234 Squadron together with Sub-Lieutenant J. C. Carpenter of No. 46 Squadron in shooting down a Bf 109E-1 (W.Nr. 4017) of 7./JG 53 during combat over Eastchurch. The aircraft crashed at Rayhams Farm, and Lt. J. Deutsch was reported missing, believed killed.

Overall, RAF fighters claimed 18 Bf 109s destroyed, four probable, and one damaged.

Luftwaffe Claims and Losses

German fighter pilots continued to claim victories throughout the afternoon fighting. Among those reporting successes were Hptm. Otto Bertram of 1./JG 2, Hptm. Hubertus von Bonin of Stab I./JG 54, and Oblt. Rudolf Pflanz of 3./JG 2, while further claims were made by Hptm. Hans von Hahn, Ofw. Robert Olejnik, Hptm. Günther von Maltzahn, and Oblt. Hans Philipp. Most notable was Oblt. Helmut Wick of 6./JG 2, who claimed his 23rd victory of the war, further narrowing the gap with the Luftwaffe’s leading aces, Werner Mölders and Adolf Galland.

However, the Luftwaffe also sustained significant losses during the day’s fighting. At around 14:30 hours, Oberlt. C.-H. Metz of 8./JG 2 baled out and was captured after his Bf 109E-4 (“2+~”) collided with another Messerschmitt during combat over Kent; the aircraft crashed at Bleakwood, Walderslade. Fw. H. Dettmer of 9./JG 54 was killed when his parachute failed to open after being shot down near Pitsea, while Uffz. Fritz Hotzelmann of I./JG 54 was brought down over Maidstone and captured. Uffz. Behze of II./JG 54, was also killed during the afternoon engagements. The most serious Luftwaffe loss of the day was Hptm. Fritz Ultsch, Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG 54, who was shot down and killed shortly after claiming his fourth victory.

No. 303 Squadron in Action

No. 303 (Polish) Squadron, operating from Northolt, was again heavily engaged over the south coast during the afternoon raids. At 14:53 hours, nine Hurricanes were vectored toward Gillingham, where they encountered approximately 35 Ju 88s protected by circling Bf 109 escorts. Red Section attacked the German fighters while Blue Section pressed home determined attacks against the bombers. In the ensuing combat the squadron became widely scattered, but the Polish pilots returned claiming six Bf 109s and three Ju 88s destroyed. AVM Keith Park was impressed by the squadron’s aggressive fighting spirit, though he continued to express concern over their coordination.

Civilian and Infrastructure Damage

According to Home Security Reports, bombs fell in Kent and southeast London during both major raids. The main railway line south from Charing Cross via Chislehurst was temporarily blocked. Five oil tanks at Thameshaven were destroyed. The County Hospital at Dartford was hit; two wards were damaged, three houses destroyed, and more than 50 casualties reported. Fires broke out in Leyton, with mains flooding Lea Bridge Road. Railway lines in Ilford were blocked by debris, while utilities were disrupted in Woolwich, Hammersmith, and Edith.

Enemy Action by Night

Enemy night operations began at approximately 20:30 hours. Numerous raids struck across London, Essex, Kent, Surrey, and Sussex. Liverpool was again hit by He 111s of II. and III./KG 27. At Walton, a bomb damaged the Dunlop Works, halting production. The Mersey Docks suffered minor damage. In Dartford, three houses were destroyed and 50 casualties were recorded. Gloucestershire received 162 HE bombs. In Flintshire, a direct hit on the Courtaulds Works at Greenfield caused widespread industrial disruption. In Nottinghamshire, a German parachutist was dropped under cover of darkness at 03:00 hours, but went unnoticed.

Park Responds: Fighter Factory Protection

In response to the increasing threat to aircraft production, AVM Keith Park implemented new defensive measures. No. 504 Squadron was brought down from Catterick to Hendon. Patrols were reinforced over the Hawker factories at Kingston and Brooklands, and the Supermarine plant at Southampton. No. 12 Group agreed to provide standby cover for Weybridge, while No. 10 Group was tasked with defensive patrols from Brooklands to Croydon during heavy raids.

German Losses:
Airmen: 36 | Aircraft: 27

British Losses:
Airmen: 8 | Aircraft: 20

Spitfire P9432, No. 19 Squadron
S/L P.C. Pinkham killed. Shot down by Bf 109 while in combat over Channel. Pilot went down with aircraft.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Pinkham.htm

Spitfire N3093, No. 72 Squadron
Sgt M. Gray killed. Crashed after combat with Bf 109s. Aircraft seen to crash into Eltham Park Wood.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/GrayM.htm

Spitfire X4013, No. 72 Squadron
P/O D.C. Winter killed. Shot down by Bf 109 and tried to abandon aircraft at too low an altitude.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/WinterDC.htm

Spitfire R6635, No. 41 Squadron
F/L J.T. Webster killed. Collided with Hurricane P3204. Pilot baled out but killed. Aircraft crashed at Laindon, Essex.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/WebsterJT.htm

Spitfire P9428, No. 41 Squadron
S/L H.R.L. Hood listed as missing. Aircraft came down over Wickford.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Hood.htm

Hurricane P3234, No. 73 Squadron
Sgt A.L. McNey listed as missing. Shot down by enemy aircraft and crashed at North Fambridge.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/McNay.htm

Spitfire R6885, No. 66 Squadron
F/O P.J.C. King killed. Shot down by Bf 109s. Pilot baled out but parachute failed to open.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/KingPJC.htm

Photo Descriptions

1. Interior of the Sector ‘G’ Operations Room at Duxford, Cambridgeshire, September 1940. The callsigns of fighter squadrons controlled by this Sector can be seen on the wall behind the operator sitting third from left. The Controller is sitting fifth from the left, and on the extreme right, behind the Army Liaison Officer, are the R/T operators in direct touch with the aircraft. © IWM (CH 1401)
2. An RNVR officer of the Medway River Patrol inspects the wreckage of a Spitfire that came down on mudflats in early September 1940. Although not positively identified, the aircraft may have been a No. 66 Squadron machine, shot down by Bf 109s over the Medway on 5 September. Pilot Officer P. King baled out, but his parachute failed to open. © IWM (A 704)
3. Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr 1480), piloted by Oberleutnant Franz von Werra, the adjutant of II/JG 3 “Udet”, which crash-landed on 5 September 1940 at Winchet Hill, near Marden in Kent.
4. Two Royal Air Force sergeant aircrew inspect the fuselage of Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr 1480), piloted by Oberleutnant Franz von Werra, the adjutant of II/JG 3 “Udet”, which crash-landed on 5 September 1940 at Winchet Hill, near Marden in Kent. © IWM (HU 73426)
5. A sergeant air gunner inspects the ‘kills’ painted on the tail fin of shot-down Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4 (W.Nr 1480) in an RAF hangar. This was the aircraft piloted by Oberleutnant Franz von Werra, the adjutant of II/JG 3 “Udet”, which crash-landed on 5 September 1940 at Winchet Hill, near Marden in Kent. © IWM (HU 106341)