Battle of Britain Campaign Diary

Date: 14 August 1940

• Weather: Mainly cloudy with bright patches and cloud in the Channel.
• Day: Targets in south-east England, airfields and communications facilities along with airfields in the west.
• Night: Little activity.

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Enemy action by day

In the early hours activity was limited to small patrols off Gris Nez, and one or two reconnaissance flights off the coast. At about midday, large raids approached the Kent coast and attacked Manston, Dover, Folkestone and Deal areas. These raids were intercepted and casualties inflicted. There was again a lull until 1600 hours, when a large number of small raids crossed the coast in the region of Weymouth and Lyme Bay and proceeded to the South Wales, Gloucester and Middle Wallop areas.

North and East Coasts

Only two raids were plotted in this area during the day, one of which crossed inland in the vicinity of Whitby, but flew out to sea again and faded shortly afterwards. Two sections of fighters failed to intercept.

South East Coast

At 1200 hours, five raids totalling some 300 aircraft approached the Kentish Coast between North Foreland and Dover, and it was reported that Dover and Folkestone were dive-bombed, and an attack was made on Manston Aerodrome. Eight balloons were shot down at Dover, and a Lightship was sunk off Folkestone. Our fighters intercepted these raids and inflicted casualties. The Bofors Guns at Manston shot down two Me110. After these raids had retired a considerable number of plots were detected in the Channel, which appeared to be enemy aircraft engaged on salvage operations. It was reported that an enemy surface craft and two hospital planes escorted by fighters were seen in a position off the North Goodwins Light Vessel. Of other raids plotted in this area, one appeared to make a reconnaissance of Manston and another bombed the RAF Station at Pevensey. Other raids penetrated to Kenley and Maidstone areas. One of these raids was intercepted on its way back off Dungeness, but without conclusive results.

South and West

In the morning, reconnaissances were made of Portland and Weymouth and several between Cherbourg and The Lizard. From 1600 hours, a large number of small raids of one to three aircraft came from the Cherbourg area and crossed the coast to South Wales, Gloucester and Middle Wallop areas.

By night

There was very slight enemy activity, but a He111, which appeared in North Wales, was subsequently shot down near Sealand by anti-aircraft fire. There were a few raids in Aberdeenshire and over convoys off Kinnaird's Head.

Statistics

Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours, 14 August 1940

• Blenheim - 59
• Spitfire - 219
• Hurricane - 342
• Defiant - 25
• Gladiator - 2
• Total - 647

Casualties:

• Own:
  • No 151 Squadron - 1 Hurricane, pilot wounded.
  • No 615 Squadron - 2 Hurricanes, pilots missing.
  • No 610 Squadron - 1 Spitfire, pilot wounded.
  • No 32 Squadron - 1 Hurricane, pilot safe.
  • No 43 Squadron - 1 Hurricane, pilot missing.
  • No 609 Squadron - 1 Spitfire, pilot missing.
  • No 65 Squadron - 1 Spitfire, pilot killed.

  • In addition, three Blenheims of No 600 Squadron were destroyed by bombs at Manston.

Patrols:

• Own
  • 132 patrols despatched involving 520 aircraft.

• Enemy
  • It is estimated that about 600 enemy aircraft were engaged in operations over Great Britain between 1800 hours on 13th August and 1800 on 14th August.

Balloons:

• Flying 1465. Casualties 32.

Aerodromes:

• Abbotsinch, Hartlepool, Manston and Hawkinge are unserviceable by night.

Organisation:

• No 602 Squadron has moved from Drem to Tangmere
• No 607 Squadron is operational by day only

Air Intelligence Reports

• No reports.

Home Security Reports

• Date: 14th/15th August 1940
  • General Summary
    • Daylight raids were on a somewhat reduced scale during this period, but a number of attacks were made mainly in the coastal districts of Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and Dorset and in South Wales. Some factories were hit and railway tracks suffered some damage but casualties were small and production does not seem to have been affected.
    • Many attacks were made on aerodromes during this period, and some damage is reported to hangars, W/T installations and landing grounds. Casualties to RAF personnel were, however, small.
    • During the small hours of August 14th/15th little activity took place, but enemy aircraft are reported to have dropped bombs on the Banffshire and Kincardineshire coasts and at Montrose early on August 15th.

  • Detailed Summary
    • Manston Aerodrome was raided at 1215 hours, and two hangars are reported to have been badly damaged, and some cottages and a farmhouse nearby partially destroyed by blast.
    • Bomb craters have been found in a field near Swingate Aerodrome, and some telephone wires are damaged.
    • Two HE bombs fell on Cardiff Airport at 1730 hours but only craters were caused and no casualties are reported.
    • At 1750 hours, a single enemy aircraft dropped 5 HE bombs on Colerne Aerodrome, causing severe damage to the canteen and some to a storehouse. 1 airman was killed.
    • Kemble Aerodrome reports 14 HE and 4 IB at 1803 hours, but damage reports have yet been received.
    • Yeovilton Aerodrome was attacked at 1815 hours, six HE being dropped by a single enemy aircraft. Material damage was slight.
    • Hullavington RAF Station is reported to have been attacked at 1853 hours, 12 HE bombs being dropped. A hangar was hit and set on fire - several casualties being trapped in the wreckage. Seven dead and six seriously hurt are reported.
    • Middle Wallop Aerodrome was attacked four times between 1707 and 1935 hours. About 20 HE were dropped and two hangars are reported to have been seriously damaged. Three airmen and one civilian were killed. During the same period, Andover Aerodrome was also attacked, 15 HE bombs being dropped which destroyed a transmitting set in the centre of a group of W/T masts, and killed a civilian operator.
    • Kemble RAF Station is reported to have been attacked, but no details are available.
    • About 20 HE were dropped in the St Denys area of Southampton at 1705 hours causing damage to the main railway tracks and to rolling stock. The main line is blocked but it is expected that normal working will be restored this morning. Some damage to property is known but only four slight casualties are reported.
    • At 1705 hours, 14 HE caused damage over a wide area in the Portland - Weymouth district including the Naval base. Only one casualty is reported, but damage was done to some roads, the jetty, gas and water mains and post office cables.
    • About 250 IB were dropped at the Blaenavon Iron and Steel Works at 1800 hours causing a fire at the Napthalene plant and at a house. Both fires are under control and the output is not likely to be materially affected.
    • A number of HE bombs were dropped at 1803 hours at Yate near Bristol, causing damage to Newman Industries Plant which will stop production for three or four days.
    • Between 2040 and 2100 hours, HE bombs fell on the landing ground and RAF Station Sealand, Flintshire. Serious damage was done to the Sergeant's Mess, Sick Quarters and the Guard Room; military casualties are known to be one killed, seven injured.
    • Six HE bombs dropped at 1800 hours near Frome (Somerset), one of which hit the GWR avoiding line. Both tracks were blown up but main line traffic is proceeding via Frome station.

    • Casualties on Ground by Enemy Action:
      • To RAF Personnel - 4 killed, 4 injured.
      • To others - 12 killed, 41 injured

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