Three major attacks on a Channel convoy.

Night: Small raids and minelaying.

Weather: Showers and bright intervals. Channel cloudy.

Enemy Action by Day

Thursday, 8 August 1940 marked the climax of the Kanalkampf, the channel-fighting phase of the Battle of Britain, during which the Luftwaffe sought to disrupt British coastal shipping and draw RAF Fighter Command into sustained combat. The focal point of the day’s operations was Convoy CW9, codenamed Peewit, a formation of coal-carrying merchant vessels making its way eastward along the English Channel.

Background: Detection and the Night Action

Convoy Peewit sailed from Southend at 07:00 on 7 August. Despite fog and poor visibility for much of the day, it passed Dover and reached the Dungeness area without air attack. As visibility improved later that afternoon, the convoy was detected by a Freya radar station at Wissant. The sighting was relayed through naval command channels to Kapitänleutnant Carl-Heinz Birnbacher, commander of the 1. Schnellbootflottille at Cherbourg.

In the early hours of 8 August, Birnbacher’s force—S-27, S-25, S-20, and S-21—attacked the convoy off the Sussex coast. Achieving surprise, the E-boats sank SS Holme Force and Fife Coast, while other ships were damaged or scattered. Although German crews claimed far greater success, the actual tonnage sunk was limited. At dawn, Blenheims from No. 59 Squadron were dispatched from Thorney Island to search for the withdrawing E-boats but returned without contact.

By first light, Peewit was widely dispersed over a broad area of sea, guarded only by light naval escorts and auxiliary vessels engaged in rescue operations.

Morning Air Attacks: First Assault on Peewit (08:40–10:45 Hours)

Shortly after dawn, a Do 17P reconnaissance aircraft of 4.(F)/14 located the scattered convoy south of Selsey Bill and reported its position. The information was passed to Fliegerkorps VIII, commanded by Generalleutnant Wolfram von Richthofen under Luftflotte 3.

Von Richthofen issued a direct and uncompromising instruction regarding the convoy:

“This convoy must be wiped out!”

At approximately 08:40 hours, Ju 87 dive-bombers of II. and III./StG 1, escorted by Bf 109s of I./JG 27, attacked Convoy Peewit off St Catherine’s Point. The Stukas sank SS Coquetdale and the Dutch vessel SS Ajax within minutes.

Hurricanes of No. 145 Squadron, flying from Westhampnett, intercepted the attackers, shooting down two Ju 87s and damaging two others before engaging the Messerschmitt escort. In the ensuing dogfights, three Bf 109s were shot down. RAF losses in this phase included two Hurricanes from No. 145 Squadron. Pilot Officer L.A. Sears and Sergeant E.D. Baker were both reported missing after combat with Bf 109s, having failed to return to base.

German losses during this phase included two Ju 87s destroyed and additional aircraft damaged from III./StG 1, as well as three Bf 109s lost from I./JG 27.

Late Morning Fighter Sweeps (11:45 Hours)

At approximately 11:45 hours, Luftwaffe fighter units—III./JG 26 and II. and III./JG 51—swept the Dover area in advance of further attacks on the convoy. These formations engaged Spitfires from Nos. 41, 64, and 65 Squadrons in a series of sharp engagements over southeast England.

British losses in these actions were heavy. No. 65 Squadron lost two Spitfires: Sergeant D.I. Kirton and Flight Sergeant N.T. Phillips were both killed when their aircraft were shot down by Bf 109s and crashed in flames. No. 64 Squadron lost Spitfire L1039; Pilot Officer P.F. Kennard-Davies was fatally injured after being hit by enemy fire and bailing out with severe burns.

During the same period, a Blenheim of No. 600 Squadron, which had taken off amid the wider air fighting, entered the combat zone and was shot down. Flight Officer D.N. Grice, Sergeant F.D. Keast, and Aircraftman J.B.W. Warren were all killed when the aircraft crashed into the sea after the pilot deliberately avoided built-up areas.

German losses during these sweeps were limited: one Bf 109 was shot down, while three others returned to France and made emergency landings at St-Omer due to combat damage.

Midday Attacks: Second Major Assault (12:05 Hours)

At approximately 12:05 hours, a second major Luftwaffe attack developed. Almost sixty Ju 87 dive-bombers from StG 2, StG 3, and StG 77, escorted by Bf 110s from V./LG 1 and with top cover provided by Bf 109s of II. and III./JG 27, attacked Convoy Peewit south of the Isle of Wight.

The Stukas pressed home sustained attacks against the scattered shipping. SS Balmaha was sunk, while SS Surte, MV Scheldt, and SS Omlandia were badly damaged. SS Tres was also sunk, and SS Empire Crusader was hit and later sank as a result of her damage. In total, four ships were sunk during this phase and at least seven damaged.

Hurricanes from Nos. 145, 257, and 238 Squadrons, along with Spitfires from No. 609 Squadron, intercepted the raid. In the fighting that followed, seven German aircraft were destroyed, including Ju 87s and escorting fighters. RAF losses in this phase amounted to five Hurricanes.

The heaviest RAF losses fell on No. 257 Squadron, which lost three Hurricanes. Sergeant K.B. Smith and Flying Officer B.W.J. D’Arcy-Irvine were reported missing, while Flight Lieutenant N.M. Hall was killed when his aircraft crashed into the Channel. No. 238 Squadron lost two Hurricanes; Flight Lieutenant D.E. Turner was reported missing, and Flying Officer D.C. MacCaw was killed while engaging enemy aircraft over the convoy.

Afternoon Fighting: Final Assault (16:15 Hours)

At approximately 16:15 hours, the Luftwaffe launched a final large-scale attack against the remnants of Convoy Peewit. Eighty-two Ju 87s from StG 1 and StG 77, escorted by Bf 109s of II./JG 27 and supported by Bf 110s from LG 1, crossed the Channel to attack shipping and rescue vessels off Bournemouth.

Hurricanes from Nos. 43 and 145 Squadrons intercepted the attackers. In intense fighting, RAF pilots shot down six German aircraft and damaged several others. RAF losses were again severe. No. 145 Squadron lost three Hurricanes: Pilot Officer E.C.J. Wakeham, Flying Officer Lord R.U.P. Kay-Shuttleworth, and Squadron Leader F.A. Smith all failed to return from combat. No. 43 Squadron lost two Hurricanes: Pilot Officer J. Cruttenden was reported missing, and Pilot Officer J.R.S. Oelofse was killed when his aircraft crashed into the sea.

Despite the scale of the air fighting, no further merchant ships were sunk during this final phase.

Elsewhere, Spitfires of No. 152 Squadron encountered Bf 109s from JG 53 south of Swanage. Two Spitfires were damaged and forced to land, though both pilots survived.

Outcome and Significance

By the end of 8 August 1940, Convoy Peewit had been effectively destroyed as a coherent formation. Only four of the original twenty merchant vessels reached their intended destination at Swanage. Several ships had been sunk and others badly damaged, while survivors and remaining vessels struggled into nearby ports.

The Luftwaffe achieved tactical success against the convoy, but at significant cost, particularly among its Ju 87 units, which again proved highly vulnerable when operating against determined fighter opposition. For German commanders, the scale of RAF resistance was misinterpreted as evidence that Fighter Command was nearing exhaustion. For the British, the day’s losses underscored the growing imbalance between the limited strategic value of Channel convoys and the cost of defending them. Shortly thereafter, the Admiralty curtailed eastbound daylight convoys through the Channel, rerouting vital cargoes such as coal by rail.

The fighting of 8 August 1940 thus marked the culmination of the Kanalkampf and a brutal prelude to the next phase of the Battle of Britain, as German attention increasingly shifted from shipping to RAF airfields and infrastructure.

Enemy Action by Night

Following the daytime action, German raiders returned after dark. He 111s from I./KG 55 attacked the Bristol Aeroplane Company at Filton around 20:30 hours. Later, II./KG 27 continued bombing in the Bristol region at approximately 02:15 hours.

Small-scale minelaying operations were reported off Falmouth, Plymouth, Lyme Bay, the Bristol Channel, the Humber, the Thames Estuary, and East Anglia. Bombs fell near Poole, Manchester, Birmingham, and into the Mersey and Barrow-in-Furness areas. Enemy aircraft also raided St Margaret’s Bay and areas around Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, and Catterick.

At 00:05 hours on 9 August, bombs struck St Margaret’s-at-Cliffe near Dover, damaging unoccupied homes and telephone lines. Home Security reports also noted that magnetic mines were recovered in Northumberland and near Fairlight, East Sussex—evidence of nocturnal mine-dropping operations.

A Blenheim night fighter from No. 219 Squadron engaged a raider in the Humber but without result.

German Losses:
Airmen: 30 | Aircraft: 24

British Losses:
Airmen: 20 | Aircraft: 21

Hurricane P2955, No. 145 Squadron. Crashed in Channel.
P/O L.A. Sears missing. Last seen in combat with Bf 109s, failed to return to base.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Sears.htm

Hurricane P3381, No. 145 Squadron. Crashed in Channel.
Sgt E.D. Baker missing. Last seen in combat with Bf 109s, failed to return to base.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/BakerED.htm

Spitfire K9911, No. 65 Squadron. Aircraft destroyed.
Sgt D.I. Kirton killed. Hit by gunfire from Bf 109 and crashed in flames near airfield.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Kirton.htm

Spitfire K9905, No. 65 Squadron. Aircraft destroyed.
F/Sgt N.T. Phillips killed. Shot down by Bf 109 and crashed in flames.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/PhillipsNT.htm

Blenheim L8665, No. 600 Squadron. Went down in flames off beach.
F/O D.N. Grice, Sgt F.D. Keast, and AC1 J.B.W. Warren. All killed after pilot avoided town and crashed into sea.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/GriceDN.htm
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Keast.htm
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/WarrenJBW.htm

Spitfire L1039, No. 64 Squadron. Aircraft destroyed.
P/O P.F. Kennard-Davies. Died of Injuries. Hit by enemy gunfire, baled out but sustained serious burns.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Kennard-Davis.htm

Hurricane R4094, No. 257 Squadron. Presumed crashed into Channel.
Sgt K.B. Smith missing. Failed to return to base after action over Channel protecting convoy “Peewit”.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/SmithKB.htm

Hurricane P2981, No. 257 Squadron. Crashed into Channel.
F/Lt N.M. Hall killed. Hit by gunfire from Bf 109, crashed into sea.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/HallNM.htm

Hurricane P3058, No. 257 Squadron. Presumed crashed into Channel.
F/O B.W.J D’Arcy-Irvine missing. Last seen in combat with Bf 109s over Channel, failed to return.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/DArcy-Irvine.htm

Hurricane P3823, No. 238 Squadron. Crashed in Channel.
F/L D.E Turner missing. Shot down while engaging enemy over convoy “Peewit”, failed to return to base.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/TurnerDE.htm

Hurricane P3617, No. 238 Squadron. Crashed into Channel.
F/O D.C. MacCaw killed. Shot down while engaging enemy over convoy “Peewit”, crashed into sea.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/MacCaw.htm

Hurricane P2957**, No. 145 Squadron. Crashed in Channel.
P/O E.C.J. Wakeham missing. Last seen in combat with Ju 87s and Bf110s, failed to return to base.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Wakeham.htm

Hurricane P3163, No. 145 Squadron. Crashed into Channel.
F/O Lord R.U.P Kay-Shuttleworth missing. Failed to return after combat over convoy “Peewit”.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Shuttleworth.htm

Hurricane P3545, No. 145 Squadron. Crashed into Channel.
S/Lt F.A. Smith missing. Shot down attacking Ju 87s but possibly hit by gunfire from Bf 109.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/SmithFA.htm

Hurricane P3781, No. 43 Squadron. Crashed into Channel.
P/O J. Cruttenden missing. Hit by enemy gunfire and crashed into the sea.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Cruttenden.htm

Hurricane P3468, No. 43 Squadron. Crashed into Channel.
P/O J.R.S. Oelofse killed. Hit by enemy gunfire and crashed into the sea.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Oelofse.htm

Photo Descriptions

1. A bomb being loaded onto a Junkers Ju 87 B-2 Stuka of 4./StG 77 at Bouchy, near Évrecy, August 1940.
2. Pilots and ground crew in discussion beside a Junkers Ju 87 B-2 Stuka of 4./StG 77 at Bouchy, near Évrecy, August 1940.
3. A Junkers Ju 87 B-2 Stuka of 4./StG 77 at Bouchy, near Évrecy, August 1940.
4. Close-up view of a Junkers Ju 87 B-2 Stuka of 4./StG 77 at Bouchy, near Évrecy, August 1940.
5. A Junkers Ju 87 B-2 Stuka (S2+AM) of 4./StG 77 taxiing at Bouchy, near Évrecy, August 1940.
6. SS Coquetdale, a merchant vessel lost off the Isle of Wight to Ju 87 Stuka dive-bombers during the Luftwaffe’s assault of 8 August 1940.
7. Spitfire K9894 of No. 152 Squadron after Sgt. Denis Robinson crash-landed in a field near Wareham on 8 August 1940. He was shot down by Bf 109s of III./JG 53 off Swanage but chose not to bale out. The aircraft slid into an unseen ditch and tipped nose-down; bullet holes are visible in the right wing root. Robinson was unhurt, though the Spitfire was a total loss.
8. The first enemy aircraft to crash on the Isle of Wight in 1940, Ju 87B-1 S2+SM of 4./StG 77 hurtled down west of St Lawrence Shute at 15.15 on 8 August 1940, marking the first day of sustained attacks against Convoy “Peewit”. The dive bomber was hit by Hawker Hurricane Mk I SO-K flown by P/O Peter L Parrott of No. 145 Squadron when pulling out of its dive 100 ft from the sea. Finally coming to rest in a tree, it was recovered by a Queen Mary trailer to gather intelligence on the type.
9. A Heinkel He 111 of I./KG 4 that flew into a mountainside at Eastman’s Cairn in Cairnsmore-of-Fleet, Scotland, on 8 August 1940. Whilst RAF personnel and Intelligence Officers managed to reach the wreckage, it proved impossible to get it off the mountain and it remained there until at least the 1980s when it was lifted off by helicopter for museum display.

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Convoy Peewit: The First Day of the Battle of Britain?
Andy Saunders
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