Very little activity.
Weather: Fog in France, the Straits and south-east England.
Note: On this day, Hitler issued Directive No. 16 ordering the preparation of an invasion plan to ‘eliminate the English motherland as a base from which war against Germany can be continued and, if this should become unavoidable, to occupy it to the full extent’.
Main Activity:
At approximately 1700 hours, a formation of Junkers Ju 88 bombers from 6./KG 54 launched an attack on Lee-on-Solent, destroying a Royal Navy de Havilland DH86 aircraft on the ground. Six Hurricanes from No. 601 Squadron were scrambled to intercept the attackers. In the ensuing engagement, one of the Ju 88 bombers was successfully shot down off St. Catherine’s Point, marking a determined response to the raid.
German Losses
Airmen: 4 | Aircraft: 4
British Losses
Airmen: 1 | Aircraft: 1
Hurricane P2995, No. 249 Squadron. Aircraft destroyed.
Sgt A.D.W. Main killed. Engine cut out during take off from base airfield.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/MainADW.htm
Photo Descriptions:
- Rearming a No. 601 Squadron Hawker Hurricane at RAF Tangmere, 1940.
- A formation of Junkers Ju 88A-1 bombers.