Further heavy airfield attacks.

Night: Liverpool bombed once again. Harassing raids on South Wales and the south-west coast.

Weather: Fine and warm. Some cloud and drizzle in the north, haze in the Channel and Straits.

Enemy Action by Day

The day began under fine and warm conditions across much of southern England, with patches of cloud and drizzle lingering in the north. Over the Channel and Straits, a light haze reduced visibility at altitude, though conditions remained broadly favourable for large-scale air operations. Taking advantage of this, the Luftwaffe launched a series of well-coordinated daylight attacks against RAF fighter stations, supported by substantial, heavily escorted formations. These operations were followed by further probing raids and widespread night bombing across key industrial and port areas, marking one of the most sustained and strategically significant days of the campaign.

Early Reconnaissance and Approach of the Main Raid

At approximately 08:30 hours, a high-flying German reconnaissance aircraft was observed over Kent, flying at 22,000 feet from North Foreland along the coast to Eastchurch, then out via Dungeness. This early pass set the stage for a more significant effort that was forming south and east of Calais. By 09:15, more than twenty aircraft were tracked heading toward Deal, though these were intercepted off North Foreland and forced to turn back.

A larger formation followed shortly after. Around eighty aircraft flew up the north side of the Thames Estuary at 25,000 feet, preceding a coordinated attack comprising approximately forty Dornier Do 17s of KG 2, sixty Bf 110s of ZG 2 and ZG 26, and a high-altitude escort of forty Bf 109s from JG 26. The primary target was RAF North Weald.

The Attack on North Weald

Fighter Command scrambled eleven squadrons to meet the threat. In an effort to avoid early contact with the escorting Bf 109s, RAF units delayed their takeoff to engage the main bomber stream, hoping the German fighters would exhaust fuel and be forced to return to base. However, the plan was only partially successful. One RAF squadron had just landed at North Weald and was refueling when the Luftwaffe struck, unable to get airborne in time to engage.

The attack was devastating. More than 150 bombs—many of them delayed-action—were dropped across the airfield. Two hangars belonging to Nos. 25 and 151 Squadrons were severely damaged by fire. Several MT vehicles, two Hurricanes, and one Blenheim were either destroyed or damaged. The old Operations Room was partially demolished, although a direct hit on the newly constructed Ops Room caused no functional damage. Portions of the southern landing ground were left cratered and unserviceable due to unexploded bombs, but the airfield remained operational.

To reinforce the defence, No. 310 (Czech) Squadron was dispatched south and arrived over the battle area as the fighting intensified. At the same time, twelve Hurricanes of No. 303 (Polish) Squadron took off from Northolt at 10:28 hours and made contact with the enemy near Dungeness. Sgt. Wojtowicz was hit during the engagement and force-landed near the coast, while F/O Henneberg’s Hurricane sustained damage to the tail but remained controllable. The remainder of the squadron made only limited contact with the German formations.

At 10:30 hours, a Dornier Do 17Z-2 (W.Nr. 3450, U5+AN) of 5./KG 2 was shot down by pilots of No. 17 Squadron, including Pilot Officers H. A. C. Bird-Wilson, J. K. Ross, D. H. Wissler, and D. C. Leary, together with Sergeant D. A. Sewell and Flight Lieutenant A. W. A. Bayne. The aircraft crashed at Pyefleet Creek on Lodge Farm, Langenhoe. Lt. H. Schildt, Uffz. E. Swindek, and Gefr. P. Niegisch were killed, while Fw. M. Kriegal baled out and was captured.

At the same time, a Bf 110D (W.Nr. 3310, 3U+EP) of 6./ZG 26 was brought down during combat over Wickford by Sub-Lieutenant J. C. Carpenter of No. 46 Squadron and Flying Officer Count M. B. Czernin of No. 17 Squadron. The aircraft crashed at Mundon, near Maldon, and both Lt. W. Manhart and Uffz. W. Drews were captured.

As the Luftwaffe bombers withdrew from the London area, they came under sustained attack from Spitfires of Nos. 19 and 222 Squadrons and Hurricanes of No. 310 Squadron over Essex and the Thames Estuary. The Czech pilots, noted for their aggressive tactics, caught several Bf 110 crews by surprise with a sudden and determined assault. No. 310 Squadron claimed four Bf 110s during the fighting, including two aircraft that collided while taking evasive action.

One of these, a Bf 110C-4 (W.Nr. 2065, 3M+EK) of 2./ZG 2, crashed at Hobbs Cross, Harlow. Fw. K. Wagenbreth and Uffz. A. Schubarth both baled out too low and were killed. A second aircraft, a Bf 110C-4 (W.Nr. 2133, 3M+HL) of the same unit, came down at Rye Hill, Thornwood, Epping; Oblt. K. Müller baled out and was captured, while Uffz. J. Korn was killed.

Additional Bf 110s were lost across the region. At 10:38 hours, a Bf 110C-2 (W.Nr. 3225, 3U+KR) of 7./ZG 26 was shot down over the Thames Estuary by Flying Officer B. Van Mentz of No. 222 Squadron, together with Flying Officer D. A. P. McMullen and Pilot Officers C. F. Gray and S. Baker of No. 54 Squadron. The aircraft crashed at North Shoebury House, Southend. Fw. H. Grau was captured, while Uffz. G. Uecker later died of his wounds.

Shortly afterwards, at 10:45 hours, Sergeant E. Scott of No. 222 Squadron shot down a Bf 110C-4 (W.Nr. 2146, 3M+BK) of 1./ZG 2, which crashed into the sea off Reculver. Oblt. S. Gottschalt and Uffz. M. Hoffman both baled out and were rescued.

At 11:00 hours, another Bf 110C-4 (W.Nr. 3120, 3M+BK) of I./ZG 2, escorting the withdrawing bombers, was brought down by Flight Sergeant G. C. Unwin of No. 19 Squadron, Pilot Officer J. M. V. Carpenter of No. 222 Squadron, and Sergeant B. Furst of No. 310 Squadron. The aircraft crashed at Edwins Hall, Stow Maries, and both Oblt. R. Messner and Uffz. A. Santoni baled out and were captured.

At 11:18 hours, Flying Officer Count M. B. Czernin, Flight Lieutenant A. W. A. Bayne, and Pilot Officer D. H. Wissler of No. 17 Squadron shot down a Bf 110C-4 (W.Nr. 3133, 3M+EL) of 3./ZG 2. The aircraft crashed at Pudsey Hall Farm, Canewdon, near Rayleigh, and both Oberfw. G. Winkler and Gefr. O. Weiler baled out and were captured.

A further Bf 110C-4 (W.Nr. 3294, U8+KL) of 3./ZG 26, was damaged over Southend and force-landed at Fontend. The pilot was captured, while Uffz. H. Klatt baled out but drowned; his body later washed ashore at Southend.

During the same engagement, Squadron Leader A.G. Miller of No. 17 Squadron made a forced-landing at North Weald, unhurt, after his Hurricane was attacked by a Bf 110.

Oblt. Hans-Joachim Jabs of 6./ZG 76 attempted to limp home across the Channel in a damaged aircraft but was forced to ditch. He survived and was later rescued.

Attacks on Hornchurch and Debden

Elements of the main raid broke away towards RAF Hornchurch, Debden, and Thames Haven. Hornchurch received a direct hit on the edge of the airfield but sustained only light damage. Eight Spitfires of No. 603 Squadron, based there, climbed to intercept what was believed to be a formation of fifty enemy aircraft over Margate. As they gained height, they were bounced by Bf 109s of II./JG 26 diving out of the sun from a superior altitude. During the engagement, Hptm. Erich Bode of Stab II./JG 26 claimed two Spitfires—his first victories. Oblt. Eckhardt Roth, adjutant of II./JG 26, was killed.

Three RAF fighters were lost in the ensuing combat, among them the Spitfire of P/O Richard Hillary of No. 603 Squadron. During the chaotic dogfight over Margate, his aircraft was set ablaze and Hillary sustained severe burns to his face and hands. Unable to bale out immediately, he eventually fell out of the stricken Spitfire unconscious before regaining his senses while falling through the air and deploying his parachute. He landed in the North Sea and was rescued by the Margate lifeboat Lord Southborough (ON 688). Hillary later recounted the experience in vivid detail in his memoir The Last Enemy.

Amid the confusion, two RAF Blenheims returning to North Weald were mistakenly identified as enemy aircraft by Hurricanes and shot down—an unfortunate instance of friendly fire during the chaos of the day.

Continued Raids and Afternoon Engagements

By 11:15 hours, as the raiders withdrew towards France, two further formations—totalling around thirty aircraft—crossed the coast near Deal and North Foreland, although neither penetrated far inland. At 11:40 hours, Manston was attacked by three aircraft which dropped five bombs. One unexploded bomb fell in the centre of the aerodrome, but no damage was reported.

Shortly after 13:00 hours, two small formations approached Foreness but were intercepted and driven off by a single RAF squadron. Later, at 14:00 hours, six further raids assembled off the Kent coast. Although these followed routes similar to those used during the morning attacks, the scale of the operation was considerably smaller. Fighter Command, now fully prepared, met the raids with determined opposition. Many of the German formations were turned back before reaching the English coast, and no damage was inflicted.

RAF and Luftwaffe Pilots: Claims and Losses

Several German fighter aces added to their victory totals during the day’s fighting. Major Adolf Galland, now serving with Stab/JG 26, claimed his 28th victory. Lt. Gustav Sprick of 8./JG 26, Oblt. Gustav Rödel of 4./JG 27, and Oblt. Gerhard Homuth of 2./JG 27 also recorded further successes. Among those achieving their first victories were Uffz. Arnold Küpper, Lt. Johannes Naumann, and Oblt. Otto Meyer of JG 26.

By the end of the day, the RAF had lost fifteen aircraft, including two Blenheims mistakenly shot down by friendly fire. Luftwaffe losses were heavier, with twenty aircraft destroyed, the majority being Bf 110s and Do 17s brought down during the airfield attacks and the subsequent fighting.

Enemy Action by Night

German night activity resumed around 21:00 hours, concentrated on Liverpool, South Wales, and Kent. Bombers from Brest and Cherbourg crossed the coast in a steady stream. Over ninety aircraft reached Liverpool, with some penetrating as far north as Barrow-in-Furness. The raids continued until nearly 03:00 hours.

In the southwest, twenty-one He 111s from Stab, I., and III./KG 55 attacked Avonmouth. Although conditions were clear, the raid was scattered. Four civilians were killed and five wounded at Portishead. In Warwickshire, bombs dropped near Dunchurch station caused a goods train to derail on the Leamington–Rugby line.

Elsewhere, mine-laying was suspected along the entire east coast from Aberdeen to the Thames Estuary, and along the south coast as far as Poole. Additional mines were believed to have been dropped in the Bristol Channel and Liverpool Bay.

Ground Damage and Civilian Impact

North Weald remained operational but suffered considerable structural and equipment loss. Hornchurch and Debden sustained light damage. In Birmingham, a delayed-action bomb near the Dunlop Rubber Company damaged telephone lines but did not halt production. Fires at the Llandarcy oil installation continued to burn, with one tank reported to be dangerously out of control.

In total, thirty-seven civilians were killed and 112 injured during the day’s raids. No RAF personnel were reported killed or injured on the ground.

High Command at The Hague: A Pivotal Misjudgment

Elsewhere, in The Hague, Reichsmarschall Göring convened a meeting with his Air Fleet commanders. Generalfeldmarschall Kesselring declared Fighter Command to be all but defeated and called for an immediate shift in Luftwaffe targeting. Feldmarschall Sperrle disagreed, arguing that the RAF still had substantial reserves. Oberst Josef “Beppo” Schmid gave a wildly inaccurate intelligence estimate, claiming the RAF might have as few as 100 fighters remaining.

Despite internal disagreement, Göring recommended a Zielwechsel—a change of objective—to Hitler. RAF airfields would no longer be the primary target; London would be bombed directly as the prelude to invasion. Hitler approved, setting 20 September as the provisional date for the Channel crossing. Unbeknownst to the Luftwaffe, this decision would mark a strategic turning point in the campaign, granting Fighter Command critical time to recover.

German Losses:
Airmen: 21 | Aircraft: 20

British Losses:
Airmen: 6 | Aircraft: 15

Hurricane P3064, No. 46 Squadron
Sgt G.H. Edworthy. Listed as missing. Believed to have crashed in river after combat over Essex coast.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Edworthy.htm

Hurricane P3518, No. 257 Squadron
P/O C.R. Bon Seigneur killed. Shot down by E/A. Baled out but died soon after landing.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Bonseigneur.htm

Hurricane P3539, No. 17 Squadron
F/O D.H.W. Hanson killed. Shot down but baled out of aircraft at 100 feet. Killed on impact.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Hanson.htm

Blenheim L1512, No. 25 Squadron
P/O D. Hogg killed. Thought to have been Bf 110 and shot down by Hurricane. Sgt E. Powel baled out unhurt.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/HoggDW.htm

Hurricane P3782, No. 1 Squadron
P/O R.H. Shaw. Listed as missing. Crashed due to unknown circumstances. Pilot killed in aircraft.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/ShawRH.htm

Hurricane P3044, No. 1 Squadron
F/Lt H.B.L. Hillcoat. Listed as missing. Failed to return from squadron patrol.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Hillcoat.htm

Photo Descriptions

1. The condensation trails from German and British fighter planes engaged in an aerial battle appear in the sky over Kent on 3 September 1940.
2. British soldiers retrieving part of the tail section belonging to Messerschmitt Bf 110C-4 ‘3M+EL’ (Wk-Nr 3113) of 3./Zerstörergeschwader 2, shot down at 11:18 hours on 3 September 1940. Both crew baled out and were taken prisoner. It was shot down possibly by F/O Count Manfred Beckett Czernin of No. 17 Squadron and crashed in fields at Canewdon in Essex.
3. F/O Brian van Mentz, second from right, reports to the Intelligence Officer after a sortie with No. 222 Squadron at RAF Hornchurch. On 3 September 1940, Van Mentz destroyed a Bf 110 and damaged another in Spitfire R6837.
4. Hawker Hurricane Mk I, R4224 YB-C, of No. 17 Squadron damaged after combat with Bf 110s on 3 September 1940. S/Ldr. Anthony Garforth Miller was forced to land near RAF North Weald.