London and Southampton raided.

Night: Heavy raids on London and the Midlands.

Weather: Channel overcast. Haze in northern France and Dover Straits.

Enemy Action by Day

Weather conditions across southern England on 29 October 1940 were variable, with clearer periods inland and broken cloud over the Channel. The morning opened with renewed Luftwaffe reconnaissance over the Straits and Thames Estuary, accompanied by intermittent harassment of coastal shipping. Although several raids were plotted before midday, the first major activity developed only in the early afternoon, when successive waves of Bf 109s crossed the Kent coast in strength. These attacks, directed chiefly toward Biggin Hill, Maidstone, Hornchurch, and the London area, were the final large-scale attempts by the Luftwaffe to achieve decisive results through daylight fighter–bomber operations.

In addition to the German activity, Italian aircraft reappeared briefly during the afternoon, conducting a small-scale attack on Ramsgate and Deal. Later in the day, widespread fighter–bomber attacks were directed against airfields in East Anglia, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire, forming part of a coordinated operation by Luftflotte 2.

Fighter Command’s interceptions were intense and largely successful. Twenty-seven enemy aircraft were confirmed destroyed, with eight probably destroyed and ten damaged. Seven RAF aircraft were lost, though five pilots were saved.

Morning Reconnaissance and Early Movements

Reconnaissance activity began soon after 08:00 hours. Enemy aircraft appeared over the Straits and Estuary at regular intervals, reporting convoy movements and making brief approaches to the coast. Shipping off Dover was twice visited—at 09:45 and 10:25 hours—though no serious damage was recorded. Inland reconnaissance was also active, with tracks plotted toward East London, Debden, Maidstone, and twice toward Birmingham.

At 11:45 hours, Pilot Officer R. R. Hutley of No. 213 Squadron baled out of Hurricane I P2720 off Selsey following combat with Bf 109s. He was rescued alive but later died of his injuries.

Shortly after midday, the Hurricanes of No. 1 Squadron at Wittering were scrambled against a small formation of Dornier 17s, though the raid dispersed before a decisive interception could be made.

13:00 Hours: Major Raids Toward Biggin Hill and London

The first concentrated attack of the day developed at about 13:00 hours, when more than one hundred Bf 109s crossed the Kent coast in several waves and advanced inland toward Biggin Hill, Hornchurch, west London, and the Maidstone area. These forces included units of JG 51, among others. Hurricanes from Nos. 249, 253, 501, and 615 Squadrons, and Spitfires from Nos. 66, 74, 92, 222, and 602 Squadrons, were already airborne or scrambled quickly to intercept.

Engagements were fierce and at times decisive. No. 602 Squadron, operating from Westhampnett, concentrated its efforts in pairs and rapidly gained the advantage from superior height. In less than ten minutes, eight Bf 109s were shot down, and the remaining aircraft began to jettison bombs indiscriminately and turn for home.

Lieutenant Ernst Terry of Stab I./JG 51 was shot down and captured. Feldwebel Heinrich Tornow of 4./JG 51, an experienced pilot with twelve victories, was killed in action. Major Werner Mölders of Stab/JG 51 claimed a Hurricane near Dungeness during the same period. Pilot Officer N. D. Edmond of No. 615 Squadron was wounded at 12:45 hours; his Hurricane I (V6785) was severely damaged in combat.

Dogfighting persisted across Kent and Sussex for nearly half an hour before the surviving Bf 109s withdrew across the Channel.

14:30 Hours: Attack on Portsmouth and Southern Targets

As the early afternoon fighting waned, a new formation of twelve Ju 88s from Lehrgeschwader 1, escorted by Bf 109s, approached Portsmouth at approximately 14:30 hours. Hurricanes of Nos. 145 and 213 Squadrons from Tangmere, joined by Spitfires of No. 609 Squadron from Warmwell, attempted interception.

The attack caused significant damage in Portsmouth: thirty-nine casualties, including three killed; four shops demolished; fifty houses badly damaged; and a high-explosive bomb striking the railway, demolishing ten wagons. Two new wings of the Evans & Sons works were badly damaged. Major Helmut Wick of Stab/JG 2 claimed two Hurricanes during the action.

Simultaneously, bombardment occurred further along the coast. No. 247 Squadron engaged one Ju 88 as the formation retired.

Afternoon Italian Raid on Ramsgate and Deal

While activity developed over Portsmouth, the Italian Air Corps (Corpo Aereo Italiano) mounted a brief reappearance in daylight operations. Fifteen BR.20 bombers, escorted by thirty-nine CR.42 biplanes and thirty-four G.50bis fighters, attacked the Ramsgate area. The formation caused little strategic damage but drew considerable attention due to the unfamiliar Italian aircraft types.

At 16:40 hours, bombs fell on the Royal Marines barracks at Deal, causing heavy casualties: one officer and seven other ranks killed; six officers and six other ranks wounded. Reports from local observers and later historical accounts indicate that these bombs were delivered by Italian aircraft operating in conjunction with the attack on Ramsgate.

Late Afternoon: Airfield Attacks Across the East

Late-afternoon operations saw one of the most extensive fighter–bomber efforts since early October. Luftflotte 2 launched a coordinated series of low-level and dive-bombing attacks under the codename Opernhall. Seventy-one Ju 88s, supported by thirty-one Bf 109s and additional Bf 109s carrying bombs with heavy fighter escort, operated against airfields in East Anglia, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire.

The first of these attacks reached North Weald at 16:45 hours. Bf 109s from II(Schlacht)/LG 2 and JG 26 dive-bombed the airfield during the scramble of No. 249 and No. 257 Squadrons. One Hurricane from No. 249 Squadron was damaged. Sergeant A. G. Girdwood of No. 257 Squadron was killed when Hurricane I P3708 was struck by a bomb and destroyed. Another Hurricane of the same squadron was so damaged on take-off that its pilot, Pilot Officer F. Surma, baled out at 3,000 feet. Hauptmann Gerhard Schöpfel of Stab III./JG 26 claimed one of the Hurricanes.

II(Schlacht)/LG 2 suffered severe losses. Three aircraft were shot down, including that of the Staffelkapitän of 5.(Schlacht)/LG 2, Oberleutnant Benno von Schenk, whose machine fell into the sea off the Blackwater Estuary. Oberfeldwebel Josef Hammeling of 4./LG 2 was wounded during a low-level attack and force-landed at Wick, Essex, where he was captured.

Simultaneous attacks were made on Wattisham, Honington, Leeming, Newmarket, West Raynham, and Linton-on-Ouse. Hurricanes from Nos. 1, 17, 46, 219, 249, 253, 257, 302 (Polish), 310 (Czech), and 501 Squadrons, and Spitfires of Nos. 19, 41, and 222 Squadrons, intercepted where possible. Hauptmann Wilhelm Balthasar of Stab III./JG 3 claimed two Spitfires during these engagements.

At 17:15 hours, Sub-Lieutenant A. G. Blake of No. 19 Squadron was killed when Spitfire II P7423 crashed near Chelmsford after combat with a Bf 109. Further collisions and combat losses occurred among RAF units operating in the congested airspace over the southern sector.

Summary of Daylight Operations

Daylight operations on 29 October represented one of the last large-scale efforts by the Luftwaffe to force a decision through repeated fighter–bomber attacks. Despite the scale of the afternoon raids and the wide distribution of targets—ranging from London and Portsmouth to East Anglia and Yorkshire—enemy penetrations were often shallow and frequently disrupted by rapid RAF intervention.

Twenty-seven enemy aircraft were destroyed, with eight probable and ten damaged. RAF losses, though not insignificant, did not impede Fighter Command’s ability to respond effectively throughout the day.

Enemy Action by Night

Night operations on 29/30 October were more extensive than the previous evening but remained below the intensity of the heaviest October raids. Activity began at approximately 18:50 hours and extended across London, the Home Counties, the Midlands, East Anglia, and Yorkshire. The Birmingham–Coventry district again received sustained attack, while scattered raids were recorded over Liverpool, Oxford, and Reading.

A new type of German acoustic mine was recovered intact near Porthcawl, enabling further investigation by Royal Navy specialists.

Early Phase (19:00–21:00 Hours)

The opening hours of the night saw numerous raids originating from the Seine, Cherbourg, and Channel Island sectors. Many crossed the coast between Swanage and North Foreland, while others approached from the Dutch coast. Although the heaviest attacks were directed toward London and the Midlands, a number of raiders turned back before reaching the Inner Artillery Zone.

Birmingham and Coventry endured repeated bombing during this period. Fires were reported at several industrial sites, including works associated with Messrs Humber Ltd. Additional tracks were plotted over Liverpool, Reading, and Oxford, with isolated raids reaching as far north as Sunderland.

At Portsmouth, further damage from the afternoon attack was assessed. In London, incendiary bombs caused a major fire at the premises of Messrs Wrays Optical Works Ltd at 19:40 hours, severely damaging the centre of the factory and its heating systems and destroying stores containing raw glass materials.

Middle Phase (21:00–01:00 Hours)

Enemy activity remained widespread. Raids from the Cherbourg and Channel Island sectors continued to press toward Birmingham and Coventry, while others traversed the Home Counties. Several flights appeared between Newcastle and Aberdeen, though few penetrated inland.

Minelaying was suspected between the Forth and Hartlepool, and mines were also reported in the Thames Estuary.

At 03:00 hours, Heston aerodrome suffered extensive damage when bombs fell on buildings, water and gas mains, and telephone lines.

Final Phase (01:00–06:00 Hours)

After 01:00 hours the frequency of raids decreased, though isolated aircraft continued to approach London and Coventry. At 04:50 hours, the capital received the “All Clear,” and the last raider was plotted retiring from the Midlands.

Bombs fell on multiple RAF stations throughout the evening. Wattisham, Leeming, Newmarket, Honington, West Raynham, Matlask, and Linton-on-Ouse all reported attacks between 17:40 and 18:30 hours, consistent with Luftflotte 2’s late-afternoon airfield operations. Damage ranged from bomb craters to the destruction of aircraft, vehicles, and hangars; several buildings were rendered temporarily unserviceable.

At North Coates, machine-gunning attacks caused superficial damage. Norwich reported damage to stores and a hangar. Matlask reported casualties among both military personnel and civilians.

Civil and Station Damage

High-explosive and incendiary bombs fell on towns and industrial centres across southern and central England. At Portsmouth, thirty-nine casualties were confirmed from the afternoon attack, with extensive damage to houses, shops, and the railway system. At Dover, bombs at 16:35 hours demolished two shops and damaged thirty-one houses.

At Coventry, significant fires were reported at industrial works, including the Royal Naval Ordnance Store. In Birmingham, incendiary and high-explosive bombs caused widespread disruption, including damage at New Street Station. In London, the fire at Wrays Optical Works curtailed production severely.

A new type of small brass bomb, 2¾ inches long and 2 inches in diameter, was reported during the night of 28/29 October.

German Losses:
Airmen: 30 | Aircraft: 28

British Losses:
Airmen: 5 | Aircraft: 12

Spitfire P7423, No. 19 Squadron
Sub/Lt.(FAA) A.G. Blake killed. Believed ‘picked-off’ by Bf 109 whilst acting as a ‘weaver’ during squadron patrol over south London.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/BlakeGA.htm

Hurricane P3066, No. 46 Squadron
Sgt. H.E. Black killed. Shot down in combat with Bf 109s and believed crashed in Hothfield Park near Ashford.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/BlackHE.htm

Hurricane P2720, No. 213 Squadron
P/O R.R. Hutley killed. Shot down in combat off Selsey Bill.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Hutley.htm

Hurricane V6852, No. 257 Squadron
Sgt. A.G. Girdwood killed. Caught taking-off during low level bombing attack on base by Bf 109s of II(S)/LG 2.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Girdwood.htm

Hurricane P3889, No. 310 Squadron
P/O E. Fechtner killed. Crashed near base following collision with P/O Maly during ‘wing’ patrol.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Fechtner.htm

Photo Descriptions:

1. RAF personnel dismantle Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 5153), flown by Oberleutnant Egon Troha, Staffel Kapitan of 9./JG 3, and which crash-landed near Wootton Cross Roads, Shepherdswell, Kent on 29 October 1940. © IWM (HU 67698, HU 72993)
2. Soldiers inspect the wreckage of Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4/B (Werke Nr. 5562) of 4. (Schlacht) Staffel/Lehrgeschwader 2, shot down by Hurricanes of No. 249 Squadron following a bombing raid on North Weald airfield on 29 October 1940. The pilot, Feldwebel Hans-Joachim Rank, baled out but was badly burned and had received bullet wounds to his right thigh. He was taken to St Peter’s Hospital in Maldon, where he died of haemorrhaging and shock.
3. A soldier looks intently at the wreckage of Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4/B (Werke Nr. 5562) of 4. (Schlacht) Staffel/Lehrgeschwader 2, shot down by Hurricanes of No. 249 Squadron following a bombing raid on North Weald airfield on 29 October 1940.
4. Gunners of ‘G’ Battery (Mercer’s Troop), Royal Horse Artillery, man a Lewis gun in a sandbagged revetment, 29 October 1940. © IWM (H 5113)