Nuisance raids on a reduced scale.
Night: Activity reduced.
Weather: Low cloud and continuous drizzle in all regions.
Enemy Action by Day
Weather across southern England on 30 October 1940 was unsettled, with low cloud and intermittent rain reducing visibility in parts of the southeast, while clearer intervals developed inland. After several days of heavy pressure, Luftwaffe daylight activity subsided, though two major fighter–bomber assaults were mounted over Kent, Sussex, and the Thames Estuary, accompanied by routine reconnaissance flights over the Straits, Channel, and parts of western Britain. Unlike previous days, no large formations of medium bombers operated in daylight, though a number of Ju 88s penetrated the country during the first attack. Luftflotte 3 also took part in the day’s operations, contributing to what became the final significant daylight assault on London of the month.
Morning Reconnaissance and Early Movements
Reconnaissance activity developed slowly during the morning. Single enemy aircraft patrolled the Straits and Channel, shadowing convoys and reporting shipping movements. Additional flights were plotted off Exeter, Portland, and in the Firth of Forth, though attempts to intercept these intruders proved unsuccessful. One Heinkel He 111, which dropped bombs near Skegness, was subsequently brought down during the course of the day’s operations.
11:30–12:45 Hours: First Major Attack
The first coordinated assault developed between 11:30 and 12:45 hours. Radar plots indicated approximately 150 aircraft operating in three waves, combining elements of Bf 109 fighter formations with Ju 88s of Luftflotte 3.
The initial wave—estimated at sixty aircraft—crossed the coast over North Foreland and advanced toward Shoeburyness before turning south across Kent. A second wave of about forty aircraft followed shortly afterward, also crossing near North Foreland and retiring over Hawkinge. A third formation crossed at Hastings but withdrew at Ashford without penetrating deeper inland. Bombs were dropped at several locations in Kent during these passes.
Ten squadrons of No. 11 Group were ordered to meet the attack, six making visual contact. Three squadrons engaged the enemy directly, destroying three aircraft, with one further probable and six damaged. Continuous combat unfolded across Kent and Sussex, involving Hurricanes of Nos. 17, 32, 249, and 253 Squadrons and Spitfires of Nos. 41, 66, and 222 Squadrons. Some of the Ju 88s that pressed into East Anglia were intercepted by Hurricanes of No. 1 Squadron, scrambled from Wittering. Pilot Officer A. E. Davies of No. 222 Squadron was killed when his Spitfire I (N3119) was shot down over Sussex at 12:10 hours. Pilot Officer H. P. M. Edridge of the same squadron was also killed when his Spitfire I (K9939) crash-landed after combat with Bf 109s over Ewhurst.
Afternoon Reconnaissance and Scattered Activity
During the early afternoon, reconnaissance persisted at intervals across the Straits and Channel, with occasional single aircraft reported inland. Bombs fell on the outskirts of southeast London; Kent and Sussex bore the greatest weight of scattered attacks. Occasional machine-gunning incidents were recorded at Hythe, Margate, and Coventry, where the Armstrong-Siddeley and Humber works were strafed.
15:40–16:50 Hours: Second Major Attack
The second coordinated movement manifested at approximately 15:30–15:40 hours, comprising around 130 Bf 109s crossing the coast near Dover in several waves. The attack unfolded in two distinct phases.
In the first phase, about eighty enemy aircraft advanced toward Maidstone. Forty of these continued northwest toward southeast London, where a number of small bombs were dropped. These formations were then intercepted and broken up by two RAF squadrons.
The second phase consisted of five smaller formations, totalling roughly fifty aircraft, crossing between Dover and Beachy Head. One formation of twelve aircraft pressed as far north as Harwich. Most of these groups were intercepted and forced to withdraw rapidly. Twelve Group fighters remained grounded owing to unfavourable weather conditions.
Ten RAF squadrons were committed to the defence, including Hurricanes of Nos. 17, 249, 253, 501, and 615 Squadrons and Spitfires of Nos. 41, 66, 92, 222, and 602 Squadrons. Heavy engagements followed across Kent and Sussex. Sergeant L. A. Garvey of No. 41 Squadron was killed when his Spitfire II (P7375) was shot down by a Bf 109 over Ashford at 16:10 hours. Sergeant W. B. Smith of No. 602 Squadron, a Canadian, was wounded when his Spitfire I (X4542) force-landed near Lydd at 16:20 hours after enemy action.
During the same period, Hurricanes of No. 1 Squadron completed an Army co-operation flight, during which Pilot Officers G. E. Goodman, R. G. Lewis, and Sergeant V. Jicha sighted and intercepted a Ju 88. Lewis and Jicha shot it down; Sergeant J. Dygryn later crashed while landing, his aircraft written off.
Summary of Daylight Operations
Although German activity was reduced compared with the preceding days, the two fighter sweeps constituted the last major daylight assaults on London for October. Enemy penetrations were limited and fragmented, and Fighter Command’s interceptions were consistently effective. No heavy bomber formations operated in daylight, though a number of Ju 88s participated in the earlier attack. Despite the scale of enemy involvement, only minor bomb damage occurred in Kent, Sussex, and southeast London.
Enemy Action by Night
Night operations on 30/31 October opened with a determined assault on London and the Home Counties, accompanied by scattered raids on the Midlands. After several hours of active movement, activity diminished sharply, and by 04:00 hours the country was largely clear of raiders. The “All Clear” was sounded in Central London at 03:37 hours.
18:30–21:00 Hours: First Phase
Enemy activity began shortly after nightfall, when approximately sixty raids converged on the London district from the usual coastal departure points. Only a small proportion penetrated the Inner Artillery Zone; most activity concentrated over the southeast counties.
Four raids made landfall in the Portsmouth area before tracking north toward Nottingham and Sheffield and later returning via London. Minelaying was suspected in the Thames Estuary, off North Foreland, and near Harwich, involving twelve separate tracks. By 21:00 hours the intensity of the night assault had already waned.
At 19:30 hours an anti-aircraft shell burst at the Projectile and Engineering Company in Battersea, damaging roof structures, cables, and a compressor plant. Production was not significantly affected.
21:00–01:00 Hours: Second Phase
Between 21:00 and 01:00 hours, sporadic raids—about twenty in total—from the Somme and Dieppe areas reached the outskirts of London and the southeast counties. Only a few penetrated to the central districts. Some tracks extended north toward the Duxford and Debden sectors before returning along reciprocal routes.
Minelaying raids originating from Belgian and Dutch bases entered the Estuary. In the Midlands, occasional attacks continued, though activity diminished progressively toward midnight.
Feltwell aerodrome, attacked earlier in three waves at 18:01, 18:12, and 18:18 hours, sustained damage to one hangar of No. 75 Squadron, several craters, and a brief aircraft fire that was extinguished. Additional bombs were reported at Bagington, Abridge, and the vicinity of North Weald, where an oil bomb fell at 19:40 hours.
01:00–06:00 Hours: Final Phase
After 01:00 hours enemy activity declined rapidly. Few raids persisted beyond this time, and by 04:00 hours the country was effectively clear. Isolated movement toward London and Coventry continued briefly before ceasing altogether.
A small number of high-explosive bombs fell in Stepney at 19:55 hours, destroying a five-storey block of flats. Casualties were limited as most residents had taken shelter. Machine-gunning attacks were also reported at Hythe, Margate, and Coventry.
In Lancashire, two unexploded bombs fell at the Farington Steelworks near Leyland at 13:52 hours, prompting temporary evacuation. Fires were reported at railway sidings near Speke following the fall of incendiaries.
Reports circulated during the night of small, bomb-like objects—approximately the size of a Mills grenade, possibly fitted with wire—being dropped from aircraft. Civil authorities issued urgent warnings advising the public not to handle such items.
German Losses:
Airmen: 3 | Aircraft: 8
British Losses:
Airmen: 9 | Aircraft: 9
Blenheim L6721, No. 1 Squadron
Crashed at Orchard Way Road, South Berstead having suffered R/T failure in deteriorating weather conditions following routine night patrol.
F/O H.J. Woodward killed.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/WoodwardHJ.htm
P/O A.A. Atkinson killed.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/AtkinsonAA.htm
Sgt. H.T. Perry killed.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Perry.htm
Spitfire P7375, No. 41 Squadron
Sgt. L.A. Garvey killed. Shot down in combat with Bf 109s over Ashford.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Garvey.htm
Beaufighter R2065, No. 219 Squadron
Hit trees trying to locate base in bad visibility. Crashed and exploded 150yds south of Balcombe Place.
P/O K.W. Worsdell killed.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Worsdell.htm
Sgt. E.C. Gardiner killed.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/GardinerEC.htm
Spitfire N3119, No. 222 Squadron
P/O A.E. Davies killed. Wing shot off during combat with Bf 109s.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/DaviesAE.htm
Spitfire K9939, No. 222 Squadron
P/O H.P.M. Edridge died of injuries . Aircraft severely damaged in combat with Bf 109s. Crashed in flames attempting to land at Longwood Farm, Ewhurst.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Edridge.htm
Hurricane V7536, No. 249 Squadron
P/O W.H. Millington missing. Failed to return from sporadic action with enemy fighters over the Channel.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Millington.htm
Photo Descriptions:
- Devastation caused by Luftwaffe bombing to the Post Office and District Bank in Chatburn on 30 October 1940.
- A group of pilots of No. 1 Squadron RCAF, gather round one of their Hawker Hurricane Mark Is at Prestwick, Scotland, 30 October 1940. The Squadron Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader E A McNab, stands fifth from the right, wearing a forage cap. During the 53 days it participated in the battle, the squadron shot down 29 enemy aircraft, probably destroyed eight, and damaged 35. © IWM (CH 1733)