Convoy raids off North Foreland and Dover.
Night: The east coast, home counties and western Scotland attacked.
Weather: Showery in south-east England and Channel. Continuous rain elsewhere.
Main Activity:
At approximately 1100 hours, the convoy codenamed BREAD rounded North Foreland while heading westward. It was spotted by a Dornier Do 17 reconnaissance aircraft from 4.(F)/121, accompanied by Messerschmitt Bf 109s from I/JG 51. In response, six Spitfires from No. 74 Squadron, based at Hornchurch, were scrambled to intercept the intruders. The Spitfires managed to damage the Do 17, but two of them were hit by the escorting Bf 109s, forcing both to make emergency landings.
Shortly after this engagement, Spitfires from No. 610 Squadron at Biggin Hill encountered a Staffel of Bf 109s over Dover. In the ensuing dogfight, one Spitfire was damaged and crash-landed at Hawkinge.
By 1325 hours, a large enemy formation was detected advancing toward the BREAD convoy. The raid comprised twenty-six Do 17 bombers from I/KG 2, escorted by Bf 110s from I/ZG 26, with top cover provided by Bf 109s from I/JG 3 and III/JG 51. In response, Hurricanes from Nos. 32, 56, and 111 Squadrons, along with Spitfires from No. 74 Squadron, were scrambled to intercept the attack. Additionally, six Spitfires from No. 64 Squadron were dispatched to join the fight.
The resulting battle was fierce. British pilots successfully downed six German aircraft and inflicted damage on several others. However, the engagement came at a cost. One Hurricane collided with a Do 17 during a head-on attack and was lost, while four other RAF fighters sustained damage. Despite the ferocity of the attack, the convoy suffered minimal losses, with only the 466-ton Dutch steamer Bill S being sunk. The defense was considered a notable success given the scale of the assault.
German Losses
Airmen: 29 | Aircraft: 14
British Losses
Airmen: 2 | Aircraft: 2
Hurricane P3359, No. 253 Squadron. Aircraft destroyed.
Sgt I.C.C. Clenshaw killed. Lost control in bad visibility.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Clenshaw.htm
Hurricane P3671, No. 111 Squadron. Aircraft destroyed.
F/O T.P.K. Higgs killed. Collided with Do 17 off coast near Folkestone.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Higgs.htm
Photo Descriptions:
- Do 17Z-2s over France, Summer 1940. Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-341-0456-04 / Folkerts / CC-BY-SA 3.0
- Supermarine Spitfire Mk Is of No. 610 Squadron on patrol during the Battle of Britain.
- Concertina wire defences along the sea front at Sandgate, near Folkestone in Kent, 10 July 1940. © IWM (H 2187)