Small raids on airfields in the east and south.
Night: Slight activity including Scotland.
Weather: Cloudy, occasional rain.
Enemy Action by Day
Following the previous day’s worsening weather, Luftwaffe operations were notably reduced in scale but not in geographical reach. Fighter Command correctly anticipated that while large-scale attacks were unlikely, isolated bombing and reconnaissance raids — what had come to be known as “tip-and-run” sorties — would still be attempted against airfields and coastal infrastructure.
Radar stations picked up a medium-sized enemy formation approaching Norfolk around 12:15 hrs. After careful tracking to determine intent, the force split in two: one group veered inland toward Norwich via Great Yarmouth, while the other tracked north along the east coast past the Wash toward Hull. Both formations consisted of Dornier Do 17 bombers from KG 2 and KG 3 respectively.
No. 242 Squadron (Hurricanes) made first contact, engaging the southern element of the formation over Norfolk. Led by F/Lt G.F. Powell-Sheddon, Blue Section attacked and downed a Do 17 of KG 2, which crashed in flames in Norfolk. The remainder of the bombers sought cover in low cloud, abandoning their objectives. RAF No. 302 Squadron (Polish) returned to base without engagement.
Further north, No. 611 Squadron, newly equipped with Spitfire IIs, intercepted KG 3’s Dorniers off Skegness. P/O J.W. Lund claimed one Do 17 before being damaged by return fire and crash-landing safely. Another RAF pilot, P/O M.P. Brown, sustained damage to his Spitfire’s tail and wing, forcing him to break off the attack. F/O D.H. Watkins successfully downed another Do 17 off Scott’s Head, but his aircraft also took light damage. Despite losses and heavy opposition, many Dorniers attempted to evade interception by climbing into cloud cover — an effort complicated when two collided, one crash-landing near Mablethorpe with its crew captured. The other was destroyed by pursuing Spitfires.
Meanwhile, Convoy CE9, running through the Dover Straits, came under fire from both shelling and high-level bombing. However, the German attackers were repelled by anti-aircraft fire and the protective kite-balloon barrage, suffering several losses.
To the southwest, Luftwaffe operations intensified briefly against 10 Group targets. In Cornwall, Ju 88s struck St. Eval airfield, destroying six Blenheims of No. 236 Squadron. Hurricanes from No. 238 Squadron were scrambled in response. The raid also ignited two hangars, while additional damage was reported at Binbrook and Stormy Down. At RAF Watton, a Do 17 dropped twenty bombs in a hasty attack but inflicted no damage or casualties before being shot down by RAF fighters.
Other significant engagements occurred over southern England. At Brize Norton and Middle Wallop, Ju 88s attempted to bomb airfields. Hurricanes from No. 17 Squadron intercepted near the Isle of Wight, downing a Ju 88 which crash-landed at Earnley, its crew taken prisoner. One Blenheim was damaged at Middle Wallop during this action. Later, around 13:30 hrs, No. 234 Squadron (Spitfires) engaged more Ju 88s off the Cornish coast. P/O R.F.T. Doe shot down a bomber that crashed in flames with no survivors.
Evening attacks continued between 17:30 and 18:30 hrs. No. 238 Squadron engaged Ju 88s off Cornwall, while No. 56 Squadron clashed with Do 17s near Ipswich. In that engagement, F/O R.E.P. Brooker downed one Dornier before being shot down by return fire. He crash-landed his damaged Hurricane (P3153) and sustained only minor injuries.
Enemy Action by Night
Night operations were minimal and largely ineffective due to poor visibility. Four raids crossed the Sussex coast, reaching Northolt, South London, Reigate, Maidstone, and Weybridge. Elsewhere, scattered activity was reported off Harwich, Aberdeen, the Humber, Firth of Forth, and near Drem.
Suspected minelaying was conducted along the coasts from Kinnaird’s Head to St Abb’s Head, the Humber to Yarmouth, and Dungeness to Selsey Bill.
German Losses:
Airmen: 29 | Aircraft: 14
British Losses:
Airmen: 0 | Aircraft: 4
Photo Description
- Troops and civilians pose with Junkers Ju 88A-1 (B3+BM) of 4./KG 54, which belly-landed on Marsh Farm, Earnley, Sussex, on the evening of 21 August 1940. It had been intercepted by No. 17 Squadron Hurricanes during an attack on RAF Brize Norton. © IWM (HU 73745)