Widespread attacks on shipping in south, south-east and south-west coastal waters. Dover balloon barrage.
Night: South Wales and Thames raided.
Weather: Fair all over the country with temperatures slightly above average. Channel and Straits hazy.
Main Activity:
Shortly before 0730 hours, three Hurricanes from No. 111 Squadron intercepted a Junkers Ju 88 from III/KG 76 approximately 15 miles south of Dungeness. The Hurricanes inflicted significant damage on the bomber, forcing it to break off its mission.
Later, at 1600 hours, twelve Spitfires from No. 74 Squadron engaged a group of Messerschmitt Bf 109s from II/JG 2 that were attacking the Dover balloon barrage. During the engagement, one flight of Spitfires was ambushed by additional Bf 109s from 4./JG 51, resulting in the loss of two RAF aircraft. However, one of the attacking Bf 109s sustained damage during the skirmish and crash-landed near Fécamp.
German Losses
Airmen: 6 | Aircraft: 7
British Losses
Airmen: 5 | Aircraft: 7
Spitfire P9398, No. 74 Squadron. Aircraft lost.
Sgt F.W. Eley. Killed. Shot down off Folkestone by Bf 109.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Eley.htm
Spitfire P9379, No. 74 Squadron. Aircraft lost.
P/O H.R. Gunn. Killed. Shot down off Folkestone by Bf 109.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Gunn.htm
Photo Descriptions:
- Pilots of No. 32 Squadron RAF leave their aircraft after a sortie from RAF Hawkinge on 31 July 1940.
- Convoy protection. Sunderland L2163/DA-G, one of a pair from No 210 Squadron, over convoy TC6 carrying Canadian troops to Britain, 31 July 1940. The convoy had left Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 23 July and was due to arrive at Greenock on 1 August. The vessel in the background which the censor has circled for blocking out is the H Class Destroyer HMS HIGHLANDER. © IWM (CH 825)