Hi everyone, Can anyone help with any raids made against UK on 2.9.40 around 12.30 British time. Specifically by a/c from 4/JG2, 1(J)LG2, 3(J)LG2 or any Erpro unit. Most grateful for any help !! Thanks, Bill
2nd September 1940 The Morning Raids. Signs that the Germans were preparing for a strong attack were evident as early as 0715, and by 0730 two medium sized forces were over the middle of the Dover Straits, while a third was plotted off the North Foreland. They showed no sign of moving inland, but between 0725 and 0745 hours 249, 253, 603, 501, 54 and 72 Squadrons were scrambled to patrol the south coast, Maidstone and the Thames estuary. Five more units were ordered off to patrol airfields in the 11 Group area, but these latter were not subsequently engaged. It was not until 0740 that the German forces crossed the coastline, the two southernmost formations coming in between Dover and Folkestone, and the third further north. All were heading towards Gravesend/Chatham, but due to the cloud and overcast, no precise details could be obtained from Observer Corps positions. 253 Squadron, patrolling north of Dover, were the first to engage. A formation of 20-30 bombers were sighted at 17,000 feet some ten miles south of the North Foreland, with a similar number of fighter escorts, and the squadron turned north, diving from 20,000 feet to attack. The Bfl09 escorts - from JG 51 - defended their charges successfully however, and a single claim for a Bfl09 damaged was submitted. Sergeant J.Metham was shot down over Thanet, but escaped slightly injured. This German force then continued to fly along the estuary, but were heavily engaged by A.A. gunsites at Chatham, and were forced to turn inland. The A.A. fire had alerted the nine Spitfires of 54 Squadron, who at once attacked, but again the Bfl09s held the RAF at bay. No casualties were sustained by this squadron, and Messerschmitts were claimed destroyed by Squadron Leader Leathart and Pilot Officer Gray, while Flying Officer Gribble and Pilot Officer McMullen each reported a 'probable' and Sergeant Robbins a 'damaged' before the Spitfires withdrew. It is believed that this force was responsible for attacking Rochester at 08.10 hours, but no industrial damage was done. Meanwhile, the second German force - 20 Dol7s with escorts of BflOQs and '110s - had crossed the coast at Folkestone, and was tracking northward across Kent towards the Thames. Interceptions were effected by 74, 249 and 501 Squadrons, which fought indepen¬dently and engaged the enemy formation as far as the target area. 72 Squadron attacked north of Maidstone, and claimed five destroyed without loss, but the Hurricane squadrons fared less well due to the agressive escorts. 501 Squadron, intercepting over North Kent, claimed four Bfl09s destroyed, a "probable' and a 'damaged'. One Domier was claimed shot down and two 'damaged', but 501 suffered two casualties; Pilot Officer Skalski force-landed at Sellinge, whilst Sergeant Henn returned to base with a damaged aircraft, both pilots sustaining injuries. 249 Squadron engaged over Rochester, but claimed only one confirmed success when Flight Lieutenant Barton and Pilot Officer Meaker joined forces to despatch a Dornier, the latter pilot firing on another and claiming it damaged. Squadron Leader Grandy also reported hits on a Dol7 in this encounter. Pilot Officer Burton claimed another Dornier probably destroyed, but was himself shot down by a BfllO of//. IZG 26 and crash-landed at Meopham unhurt. Pilot Officer Beazley, after attacking one of the big Messerschmitts and claiming it probably destroyed, was attacked in his turn, and baled out unhurt. Flight Lieutenant Parnall also attacked one of the '110s, claiming it damaged. The squadron sustained one casualty when the Hurricane flown by Pilot Officer Wynn was attacked by another BfllO, which severely the damaged the Hurricane and wounded the pilot. It is clear that many of the Dorniers jettisoned their loads during the initial interceptions, for many bombs fell near Canterbury and Maidstone, but the attacks upon Gravesend airfield and Chatham were carried out nonetheless - albeit without significant damage. As the force retired to the south, 603 Squadron engaged them near Canterbury, but again the actions were fought against the escorts. Three Bfl09s were claimed destroyed, and a BfllO damaged, in exchange for damage to Sergeant Stokoe's Spitfire over Hawkinge. While Fighter Command's attention was drawn to the main threats over Kent, the Germans launched a surprise attack upon Lympne shortly after 08.30 hours. Thirty bombs fell, but the attack was not concentrated, and most fell outside the airfield, which remained serviceable. The Afternoon Raids For three hours, there was peace, then at 12.00 hours a build-up of enemy forces was plotted over the Dover Straits. This force moved inland at 12.20 hours, crossing in at Hythe and making towards Ashford. Ten minutes later more than a hundred aircraft crossed in at Dover, making for Chatham, and simultaneously forty more approached the Thames estuary over the North Foreland, apparently heading for the Essex coast. Meanwhile, between 12.05 and 12.30 hours, eleven fighter squadrons were scrambled, six to patrol the sector stations north of the estuary while the remainder were ordered south to patrol Maidstone-Chatham-Rochford. This was followed by the despatch of six more squadrons bewteen 12.40 and 13.00 hours, by which time the northernmost enemy formation was near the Isle of Sheppey. Four squadrons remained on local airfield defence duties, but 501 and 43 Squadrons were ordered to fly towards Maidstone. First to engage was 72 Squadron, which met 30 Dorniers with escorting fighters near Herne Bay - apparently the right wing of the formation that had flown in over Hythe. The Spitfires attacked in a steep dive, and the pilots claimed three Dol7s and two BfllOs shot down. A further BfllO was claimed as a 'probable' and one more damaged, but a third of the defending unit were shot down by the escorts. Sergeant Norfolk crashed near Bekesbourne without injury, and the Spitfires flown by Pilot Officer Douthwaite and Squadron Leader Collins were badly shot about, the latter pilot sustaining wounds. The squadron became badly dispersed during this initial engagement, and the German bomber formation maintained its course toward its target; Eastchurch. Shortly thereafter, 603 Squadron engaged this same force near Chatham, where two BfL09s and a Dol7 were claimed destroyed, with one more of each type damaged. Pilot Officer Haig's aircraft was hit, and he was obliged to belly-land without injury. Meanwhile, 111 and 46 Squadrons had made rendezvous over Rochford, and were ordered south. Twenty Hellls were sighted over the estuary, escorted by Bfl09s and with BfllOs (the latter at first hidden by cloud). Strangely enough, only 111 Squadron were able to engage. The Germans were heading west, and one section charged the bombers head-on, while the rest were engaged by the escorts. Flight Lieutenant Bruce claimed a Heinkel destroyed, Flying Officer Bowring claimed a 'probable', while Pilot Officers Ritchie and Brown jointly claimed another. Pilot Officer Simpson reported hits on a fourth. The remainder of the Hurricanes became embroiled with the escorts. Sergeant Hampshire claimed a BfllO probably destroyed, whilst Flying Officer Bowring and Flight Lieutenant Bruce reported damage to others, and Pilot Officer Brown claimed a Bfl09 damaged. The price was fairly high, for Sergeant Dymond was shot down by a BfL09 and failed to return. The aircraft flown by Pilot Officers Ritchie, Simpson and Flight Lieutenant Giddings all sustained battle damage. By 1305 hours, the two German formations had escaped their opponents, and the way was clear to their targets. The first formation, from the south, bombed Eastchurch at 13.10 hours, causing great devastation and wrecking five aircraft. The formation that had so recently evaded 111 Squadron attacked Detling five minutes later -catching Flight Lieutenant Giddings of 111 Squadron who had just force-landed - and making the base unserviceable for three hours. Then the bombers headed for home. The Detling force apparently retraced their path along the estuary, while those bombing East-church made their way south, towards Dungeness. Some of these were intercepted by 43 Squadron between Maidstone and the coast. Flight Lieutenant Reynell and Sergeant Jeffrey each claimed a Bfl09 destroyed, the latter also claiming another damaged, but the unit sustained three losses. Pilot Officer Woods-Scawen baled out near Ivychurch, too low for his parachute to open, and was killed, Flying Officer Carswell baled out injured near Ashford, and Pilot Officer Du Vivier crash-landed wounded at Old Romney. In the meantime, another force had crossed the coastline at Hythe at 13.10 hours, probably withdrawal cover for the Eastchurch attackers. This force was not engaged, neither was the force reported earlier off the North Foreland, since these aircraft remained off the coast, and reached as far as Foulness Island. The Evening Raids It was 15.45 hours before the next indications of German activity were received, and by 16.00 hours it was clear that a large attack was imminent. Between 15.55 and 16.15 hours, seven squadrons were scrambled, with orders either to patrol fighter bases or to proceed to Canterbury, Maidstone and Dungeness. Three separate raids were plotted, coming in over the coast at Dungeness, Deal and the North Foreland. It was again 72 Squadron, patrolling over the former area, that first made contact. A formation of Dol7s, escorted by BfllOs and Bfl09s, were sighted some miles out into the Channel. The Spitfires formed line astern and dived on the BfllOs, claiming a BfllO probably destroyed and two more damaged. Flight Lieutenant Graham was shot down near Lympne, and Wing Commander Lees crashed at Hawkinge with battle damage. Graham was unhurt, but Lees was wounded. The pilots reported that the enemy formation turned to starboard and headed for France, and indeed, some may have done so, but the main formation tracked northwards, passing Biggin Hill and Hornchurch and feinting towards North Weald before turning back to bomb Hornchurch. No interceptions were made against this force until it reached the target area, where 603 Squadron were patrolling. They were at 23,000 feet when a solid formation of about fifty bombers, escorted by a similar number of fighters were sighted, The Spitfires dived, but were held at bay by the fighters, and no successes were claimed or losses suffered. The bombing, although heavy, was inaccurate, and only six bombs hit the airfield, causing no serious damage. This force then retired. Some fled across Essex and out over the estuary, where 54 Squadron engaged them. Pilot Officer McMullen claimed a Dol7 destroyed and Pilot Officer Edsall and Sgt Robbins reported hits on two more, the latter pilot also engaging a Bfl09 and claiming this destroyed. No losses were sustained by the Spitfire unit. The majority of this force headed south towards Maidstone, and at least three squadrons engaged before the Luftwaffe finally recrossed the British coastline. 616 Squadron intercepted near Maidstone, claiming a Dornier and a BfllO destroyed, with another BfllO damaged. One Spitfire was lost when Flight Lieutenant Gillam was shot down by one of the twin-engined fighters. He baled out near Capel. 501 Squadron entered the fray slightly further south, and fought the formation from Ashford to Dungeness, claiming a Bfl09 destroyed, another damaged, and a Dol7 damaged. Two Hurricanes were shot down. Sergeant Adams crash-landed after the initial pass, but Flying Officer Rose-Price failed to return from combat off Dungeness. Another engagement took place off Dungeness at around this time when 1 Squadron entered the fray, but reported engage¬ments only with Bfl09 escorts. Flight Lieutenant Hillcoat and Sergeant Chetham reported a 'probable' and a 'damaged' respectively. The movements of the German force entering British airspace near Deal are uncertain, but it is believed that these aircraft were engaged near Mansion by 151 Squadron. Flying Officer Blair claimed an Belli shot down, Pilot Officer Surma reported a 'probable' and Pilot Officer Pattulo a Dornier 'probable' for no loss. A number of places in North Kent were bombed, including the Short Works at Rochester. It is believed that these bombers also dropped bombs upon Maidstone and Ashford as they withdrew to the south. The only interception against the most northerly German force was effected by 249 Squadron. Again the Luftwaffe escorts prevented the defenders from closing with the bombers - twelve in number - which slipped through and delivered another accurate attack upon already damaged Eastchurch. The Hurricane pilots claimed three BfllOs destroyed - by Flight Lieutenant Parnall, Pilot Officer Meaker and Sgt Davidson. Two more were reported damaged by Parnall and Pilot Officer Barclay. No losses were sustained. While the engagements above were taking place, a patrol of three Spitfires from 66 Squadron patrolled near Smith's Knoll, where an Helll was engaged. It was claimed destroyed by Pilot Officers Bodie, Mildren and Sgt Hunt. These Luftwaffe forces had barely cleared the British coastine when a further force of 'twenty plus' emerged from the Straits and headed for the North Foreland. At the same time several smaller forces crossed the Kent coast, but almost immediately turned back, one bombing the inner harbour at Folkestone at 1735 hours. Several British squadrons were still in the air after the attacks above. 46 Squadron was patrolling between North Weald and the Thames, and 72 Squadron near Dover. Between 17.20 and 17.25 hours, 303 Squadron left Northolt to intercept over Chatham, 257 Squadron to East Mersea, and 85 Squadron, patrolled an unknown area. Four squadrons were ordered to intercept the German force. 72 Squadron made the first contact after sighting AA fire, which drew the pilots' attention to some fifty Dol7s, with Bfl09 and 110 escorts. Squadron Leader Collins, despite having been slightly wounded in combat earlier in day, led his Spitfires into a diving stern attack from the sun, but were unable to reach the bombers. One Bfl09 was claimed as destroyed and two more damaged. The aircraft flown by Squadron Leader Collins was hit, and he was wounded for the second time. Despite this, he returned to base where the aircraft was classified as a 'write-off. Shortly thereafter, 46 Squadron came into action over Sheppey, where two Bfl09s were claimed destroyed, one probably so, and two more damaged. Although the Hurricanes managed to penetrate the fighter screen and fire on the bombers - claiming two damaged - they were unable to prevent the German aircraft from reaching their target (Eastchurch) and sustained two aircraft casulties; Pilot Officer Bailey was shot down over the estuary and killed, while Flight Lieutenant Rabagliati force-landed near Sittingbourne, his fighter severely damaged. Several squadrons engaged the retreating Germans, although it is doubtful whether all the engagements were made against this particular formation. 257 Squadron intercepted a Bfl09 formation near Ramsgate, but delayed attacking in the belief that they were RAF aircraft. When they were identified as German an attack was delivered, and Sergeant Nutter reported one probably destroyed. 603 Squadron were engaged over Maidstone; a Bfl09 and a BfllO were claimed as 'probables', but Sergeant Stokoe's Spitfire was hit, and he baled out wounded. 222 Squadron would appear to have been involved against the Eastchurch formation when at 17.45 hours the unit entered combat between Maidstone and Gravesend. Flight Lieutenant Robinson claimed a BfL09 shot down, while Sergeant Baxter reported a BfllO 'probable' and hits on another and a Dol7. Robinson's aircraft was hit during a head-on attack and he force-landed wounded at Hornchurch. A further two Spitfires received minor damage. 303 Squadron had been ordered to patrol Dover, but were bounced by '109s at 19,000 feet. Sergeant Rogowski saw them coming and turned into the attack, claiming one destroyed. Sergeant Frantisek claimed a second shot down. Flying Officer Henneberg, Pilot Officer Feric and Sergeants Rogowski and Frantisek chased the '109s back across the French coast, but disengaged due to intense Flak after Feric and Henneberg had claimed a 'probable' and a 'damaged' respectively. Feric subsequently force-landed due to battle damage. 'Fighter Command War Diaries' - Forman.
Big thank you again CXX, It starts well by giving the JG of the escorts for the morning but not for the afternoon. The description of the interception over Thames Estuary was given just as described by Sgt. Craig (111Sqdn.) so verifying that but knowing which JG or (Z)JG would narrow it down for me, as all the Luftwaffe claims at that time from the OKL list are for Spitfires. So the hunt goes on. Thank you again, Bill
