Battle of Britain Campaign
Diary
Date: 15 July 1940
- Weather: Low cloud.
- Day: Shipping attacked off Norfolk
coast and the Channel. Yeovil bombed.
- Night: Minelaying.
Enemy action by day
There was very little enemy activity, probably owing to bad weather.
A few raids occurred in the Cardiff, Swansea, Portsmouth and Southampton
areas, off the Thames Estuary and Norfolk Coast. One raid also visited
Drem. A certain amount of activity was also experienced over convoys
on the south and east coasts.
South and South West
In the early morning a raid crossed the coast near Shoreham and
bombs were dropped on Brighton and Hove. Shortly after 0900 hours
enemy aircraft passed over Portland, flew direct to Cardiff and bombed
Barry. Later a reconnaissance was made over a convoy in the Thames
Estuary by a Do215. No. 151 Squadron intercepted, but the enemy escaped.
Bombs were dropped at Pembroke Dock and Poling. Shipping in the vicinity
of Portland Bill was also visited. Between 1600 and 1800 hours a
raid crossed the Cornish coast. Two aircraft were sent to intercept
but no details have been received of any contact being made. A raid
started near Liverpool and flew over Wales and Gloucester. This raid
dropped four unexploded bombs on St Athan. Between 1800 and 2100
hours a raid of two Dorniers flew over Portsmouth and Southampton.
One of these aircraft was probably shot down by Blue Section of No.
145 Squadron. Later one raider dropped bombs in the sea of Southend.
East Coast
One raid was made off the Norfolk coast from 0600 to 0800 hours.
Fighters were despatched but no contact is reported. Between 0900
and 1600 hours several enemy reconnaissances were made over the Norflk
coast and upon shipping off this coast. A convoy was attacked at
1413 hours by ten enemy aircraft, probably Dornier 215s. A fighter
escort to the convoy (Blue Section of No. 56 Squadron) shot down
one Do215 and probably shot down another.
Scotland
Between 1600-1800 hours one raid was made over Drem. Later in the
evening another raid crossed the coast flying east just north of
Aberdeen. No further news was reported of this raid.
By night
Very slight activity was encountered during the night, the weather
still being very bad. One enemy aircraft, thought to be a Dornier,
appeared off Kinnaird's Head. At about 2300 hours, 6 to 8 raids crossed
the coast between Newcastle and Flamborough Head, and proceeded to
Liverpool Bay. These aircraft are suspected of minelaying. One raider
dropped a bomb near Berwick. Later, about 12 raids appeared between
the Norfolk coast and the Tyne, 6 of which crossed the coastline
and the remainder cruised around as though minelaying. These aircraft
later returned to Borkum.
Statistics
Casualties:
- Enemy:
- Fighters - nil
- Bombers - 1 confirmed, 3 unconfirmed
- AA claims destruction of one bomber in above totals.
- Own:
- No. 213 Squadron - 1 Hurricane (in combat off Plymouth).
- No. 145 Squadron - 1 Hurricane (crashed on landing, Swales
Farm, Wickham).
- No. 249 Squadron - 1 Hurricane (crashed and burned out near
York at 0053 hours).
- No. 249 Squadron - 1 Hurricane (crashed on landing).
Patrols:
- 154 patrols despatched involving 470 aircraft.
Balloons:
- Flying 1122. Casualties 21.
Aerodromes:
- Acklington unserviceable.
Organisation:
Air Intelligence Reports
- A confirmed report has been received that among the German troops
there is a healthy respect for, coupled with a fear of, the RAF due
to the ferocity of their fighters and the accuracy of their bombers.
Home Security Reports
- Period: 14/15th July 1940.
- General Summary
- During the 15th July there was a certain amount of
enemy activity over Coastal areas of the South and South-West
of England and South Wales. There was considerable damage
to property in the Brighton and Hove area.
- Detailed Summary
- Further reports received after the publication of yesterday's
summary state that the Avonmouth area was subjected to
attacks on three occasions during the night of 14/15th
July. The first attack has previously been detailed,
in the second attack, three HE and two IB were dropped
on open ground near the National Smelting Works without
damage or casualties being caused. The third attack occurred
at 0117 hours on the 15th and no incidents have so far
been reported.
- Further information as to incendiary bomb on Dover
(see yesterday) is that thirty to fifty bombs were dropped
on the Duke of York's School at Guston near Dover, now
in military occupation. Damage was slight, no casualties.
- During the evening of 15th July, bombs were dropped
near Carew Cheriton Aerodrome and on St Athan Aerodrome.
Also on the RAF Station Llandow where damage was caused
to underground internal cables.
- At 1341 hours on the 15th July, bombs were dropped
at Mount Batten, Plymouth.
- The Naval Air Station at Yeovilton near Ilchester was
bombed at 1355 hours on the 15th July, slight damage
being caused to hangars and one aircraft.
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