Battle of Britain Campaign
Diary
Date: 22nd August 1940
- Weather: Cloudy and squally.
- Day: Shipping reconnaissance and attacks
on two Channel convoys.
- Night: Increased activity particularly
in the Midlands, north and west. Some minelaying.
Enemy action by day
Enemy activity consisted chiefly of a number of shipping reconnaissances
off the South and East Coasts and two major attacks, one on a convoy
in the Straits of Dover, the other in the Manston/Dover area. Interceptions
were effected by fighters and enemy aircraft were destroyed.
North Coast
One reconnaissance flight was plotted towards Arbroath.
East Coast
One raid of three aircraft was plotted from St Abb's Head and was
reported over a convoy in that area. Another raid was plotted over
Orfordness; this aircraft was chased out to sea by our fighters but
escaped after jettisoning its bombs.
At 1830 hours, a raid of 30+ crossed the coast near Deal and bombing
is reported. Between 1900 and 1945 hours, a number of aircraft approached
the coast in waves and bombs were reported at Dover, Deal and Manston.
Six squadrons were sent to oppose these raids but a few interceptions
were effected.
South East Coast
The were a number of reconnaissance flights to convoys off the Estuary
and in the Straits and one enemy aircraft is reported to have been
'spotting' for guns shelling a convoy off Deal. Shortly after the
shelling ceased a raid of 30+, which massed in the Gris Nez area,
attacked the convoy between 1240 and 1315 hours. Two and a half squadrons
of fighters were sent up to protect the convoy. Thereafter, several
hostile formations were plotted in the Straits, but these turned
back without engagement.
South and West Coast
Some eleven raids were plotted on reconnaissance flights along the
South Coast; of these, one penetrated to Bristol, another crossed
inland to the Thames Estuary and East Coast and a third was shot
down over Somerset.
Between 2100 and 0100 hours, enemy aircraft visited Aberdeen, Pontefract
district, Hampshire, Bristol, South Wales and a convoy of Kinnaird's
Head. Minelaying is suspected in the Thames Estuary and to a lesser
degree up to Flamborough Head and off the Firth of Forth.
By night
Enemy activity has been on a considerably larger scale and more
widespread than for some time past, and continued throughout the
hours of darkness. Raids have consisted almost entirely of single
aircraft.
Raids were also plotted in the Bradford, Hull and Middlesborough
areas.
Later, one raid of three aircraft flew over North Wales toward Liverpool
and Manchester. Manston was again attacked.
London Central twice received the 'purple' warning and the 'red'
warning at 0325 hours when 4 or more enemy aircraft were reported
in the area. Later, Harrow was attacked.
Statistics
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours, 22nd August
1940
- Blenheim - 58
- Spitire - 219
- Hurricane - 412
- Defiant - 26
- Gladiator - 6
- Total - 721
Casualties:
| Enemy Losses |
| By Fighters |
| Destroyed |
Probable |
Damaged |
| 2 Me109 |
3 Me109 |
|
| 3 Ju88 |
1 Do215 |
|
| 1 Me110 |
|
|
| 6 |
4 |
0 |
| By Anti-Aircraft |
| Destroyed |
Probable |
Damaged |
| Nil. |
|
|
| 0 |
|
|
- Own:
- Five aircraft (2 pilots lost).
Patrols:
- Own
- 141 patrols involving 536 aircraft.
- Enemy
- Estimated approximately 190 aircraft of which 140 during
the day (sunrise to sunset) and by night 230.
Balloons:
- Flying 1433, Casualties 99 (88 repairable, 8 written off and 3
by enemy action).
Aerodromes:
- Manston unserviceable until dawn, 23 August.
- Eastchurch totally unserviceable.
- Abbotsinch and Hartlepool.
Organisation:
Air Intelligence Reports
Home Security Reports
- Date: 21st/22nd/23rd August 1940
- General Summary
- A number of enemy aircraft appeared during the day,
principally over the southern half of the country. Bombs
were dropped in the Aldeburgh district in Suffolk and
in the Scilly Isles, causing little damage. During the
night of 22nd/23rd reports have been received of enemy
activity against RAF stations and in the London area.
- Detailed Summary
- 21st August
- Catfoss RAF Station. It has now been reported
that damage was done to runway and landing ground.
It is also reported that one of the unexploded
bombs is suspected to be a 2,000lb bomb.
- At the Royal Naval Station at Eastchurch it is
reported that eight craters, approximately 10 feet
in diameter, were made at the south end of the
landing ground.
- 22nd August
- Manston RAF Station was heavily bombed at 1910
hours on the 22nd and at 0125 hours on the 23rd.
Approximately thirty bombs were dropped during
the first raid resulting in the destruction of
two hangars and two Blenheim aircraft. Some buildings
were damaged and the aerodrome made unserviceable.
- Filton RAF Station was bombed at 2358 hours and
the Bristol Aero Factory was hit, but the ensuing
fire was extinguished.
- Guildford. At midnight, a train between Wanborough
station and Tongham (Guildford rural area) was
attacked with HE and IB and set on fire. One casualty
so far reported.
- Barnstaple. At Umberleigh, a train was machine-gunned
at 1615 hours.
- Brighton. HE were dropped in the Kemp Town area,
100 yards from a gun battery, which, however, was
not put out of action.
- Peterhead, near Aberdeen, was bombed at 2200
hours. Damage was caused to one house, water and
gas mains. A signal cabin and engine were damaged,
resulting in blockage of line.
- 23rd August
- It was reported that HE were dropped at approximately
0310 hours on Harrow, Edmonton and Willesdon districts.
- Casualties on Ground by Enemy Action:
- To RAF Personnel - 0 killed, 3 injured.
- To others - 3 killed, 36 injured
- Enemy Attacks by Shell Fire
- Reports have been received that approximately
thirty shells of unknown calibre have fallen in
the Dover area between the hours of 2100 and 2210
on the 22nd. Considerable damage was caused to
houses and a church. Gas and water mains were seriously
affected. At 1255 hours, St Margaret's Bay, near
Folkestone was also reported to have been shelled
causing slight damage.
| Images |
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Many thanks to the Kent Messenger Group of Newspapers for the photographs.
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