Battle of Britain Campaign
Diary
Date: 10 July 1940
- Weather: Showery in south-east England
and Channel. Continuous rain elsewhere.
- Day: Convoy raids off North Foreland
and Dover.
- Night: The east coast, home counties
and western Scotland attacked.
Summary of action
During the day the main effort was concentrated in two attacks on
shipping. At approximately 1100 hours a convoy was attacked off Manston
by 1 Dornier escorted by 10 Me109s but in consequence of timely action
by two of our fighter squadrons, the enemy aircraft were driven off.
They suffered losses of 1 Me109 confirmed and 4 Me109s probable.
At 1325 hours a large force of about 120 enemy aircraft collected
behind Calais and approached a convoy between Dover and Dungeness.
Fighter interception by 5 squadrons resulted in 6 Me110s, 1 Me109,
1 Do17 and 1 Do215 being confirmed as having been shot down, and
2 Me110s, 5 Me109s and 4 Do215s as probable casualties.
Further enemy harassing raids took place along the West, South and
East coasts. This was especially heavy in the West. Towards the evening,
owing probably to bad weather, activity decreased. 1 Ju88 was shot
down by AA fire. In the east, casual shipping was attacked and a
few localities bombed including Raynham Aerodrome. During the course
of these attacks 1 Do17 and 1 He111 were shot down and 1 Do17 and
1 He111 are probable casualties. No. 242 Squadron took part and accounted
for one certain and one unconfirmed (included in the above). A few
sporadic raids took place over the Scottish coast, none of these
were intercepted.
Between 2130 and 0530 hours, 12 raids were plotted between Firth
of Tay and Beachy Head. Owing to adverse weather, none of our fighters
were up. Bombs were dropped on Guisborough, Canewdon, Hertford, Isle
of Grain, Tobermory (Isle of Mull, West Coast of Scotland), Colchester,
Welwyn and Ely.
Statistics
Casualties:
- Enemy: Fighters - 8 confirmed, 11 unconfirmed; Bombers - 4 confirmed,
6 unconfirmed.
- Own: 2 Hurricanes confirmed. 2 Hurricanes crashed on landing.
Patrols:
- 200 patrols were flown involving 641 aircraft.
Balloons:
- Flying 1087, Casualties 81.
Aerodromes:
Organisation:
- No. 79 Squadron from Hawkinge to Turnhouse.
- No. 605 Squadron from Drem to Dyce.
- No. 72 Squadron operational by day only.
Air Intelligence Reports
- Inspection of an Me109 which was shot down recently, confirmed
that this aircraft is armed with 2 cannon, 1 in each wing, and 2
machine guns firing through the airscrew [propeller]. Previous reports
that this aircraft carried 3 cannon are incorrect.
- A reliable source in a neutral country reports a marked change
in highly placed Germans in that country during the last ten days,
from one of extreme optimism to one of hesitation. Ten days ago the
Germans were confident that England would be invaded almost at once
and that we should quickly be compelled to seek and Armistice. However,
they are now doubtful when invasion will take place and are becoming
increasingly doubtful whether, if attempted, the operation would
succeed. They stated our constant air attacks [by Bomber Command]
were making it difficult to assemble troops and stores.
Home Security Reports
- Report on Enemy Raids on Aerodromes
- Martlesham Aerodrome. At 0515 hours, 5 HE [High Explosive]
bombs fell on the RAF station. No damage reported.
- Honington Aerodrome. At 0517 hours, 2 HE bombs (either 100
or 250lbs) one of which fell within 100 yards of Wellington
at dispersal point, i.e. 600 yards of hangar and the other
within 400 yards of same hangar. (Dornier aircraft concerned
was reported shot down by No. 66 Squadron).
- West Raynham Aerodrome. At 0544 hours, seventeen bombs (type
unspecified) estimated between 50 and 100 lbs each, were dropped,
causing minor damage to plant and setting a hangar on fire.
Three Ansons and one Gladiator were burnt out in the hangar.
Three Battles and one Tutor were superficially damaged. The
effect on operational ability was nil.
- Marham Aerodrome. At 0557 hours, about 14 bombs (type unspecified)
fell in cornfield 300 yards north-east of the aerodrome. Wires
on the road nearby were cut. No damage to the station.
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