July 24th 1940-the Battle of Britain-83 years ago today: RAF Fighter Command Losses were 5 fighters and 3 aircrew.

July 24th 1940-the Battle of Britain-83 years ago today: RAF Fighter Command Losses were 5 fighters and 3 aircrew.

July 24th 1940-the Battle of Britain-83 years ago today: RAF Fighter Command Losses were 5 fighters and 3 aircrew. Luftwaffe Losses were 15 aircraft and 23 aircrew to all causes as was the case for accidents also with RAF aircraft throughout 1940.

 Often accidents killed men or wrote off as many aircraft than combat. The day will be remembered as the day that the seaside town of Margate had a grandstand view of the Battle of Britain. At 0755hrs, an enemy formation had been detected coming in from the German coast and heading towards a convoy in the Thames Estuary.

 Fighter Command scrambled 54 Squadron Hornchurch (Spitfires) that was using Rochford at 0815hrs to make an interception. 64 Squadron Kenley (Spitfires) also intercepted. No German aircraft were shot down, but 54 Squadron had three Spitfires shot down by accurate gunfire from the Dorniers. At about 1100hrs, another enemy formation was detected heading for the Thames Estuary.

Again, 54 Squadron Hornchurch was dispatched. 

On reaching the formation, F/L Al.Deere leading one of the sections reported back to his sector controller that the formation consisted of about 18 Do17s and forty plus Bf109s and requested immediate assistance. 65 Squadron Hornchurch (Spitfires) was scrambled to assist as was 610 Squadron Biggin Hill (Spitfires) that was based at Gravesend. The ensuing battle in the skies took place almost over the town of Margate. 

Dorniers diving low and pulling out at almost sea level attempting to avoid the Spitfires almost touched the rooftops of seaside hotels, Spitfires being chased by Bf109s weaved about in all directions in the sky above. A Bf109 was shot down by one of the Spitfires and its pilot baled out but his parachute failed to open and his pilotless aircraft smashed into a quiet avenue in residential Margate. 

Another Bf109 of III/JG26 was hit and had to make a forced landing just outside the town, the pilot, seriously injured was taken prisoner. A Spitfire of 54 Squadron was hit by gunfire from a Bf109 and nearly crashed into the town centre of Margate, but the pilot managed to regain a little height and clear the township, but crashed in a ball of flame at nearby Cliftonville. Two other Spitfires, both from 54 Squadron crashed after being hit by gunfire from enemy fighters.

An unexpected interval had given Major Adolf Galland the opportunity to lead his Geschwader in action over England for the first time when they escorted bombers on a raid agaist a convoy in the Thames estuary. Flt Lt Al Deere led a section when No 54 Sqn was scrambled to intercept. At 20,000ft (6,700m) they saw that a second mass of enemy aircraft was attacking another convoy, near dover. 

On instructions from the ground, the Sqn split & sent 1 flight (2 sections) to tackle the enemy formation, while reinforcing fighters were ordered off. Galland reports, "We made surprise attack with height advantage. I glued myself to the tail of a spitfire & during a right turn managed to get in a long burst. It went down almost vertically." He saw the pilot bale out & crash to his death in the water when his parachute failed to open. His comment in retrospect was, "On landing, we were no longer in doubt that the RAF would prove a formidable opponent."

At Brooklands, where the first flight in Britain was made in 1909 & which became the cradle of British Aviation, there was a small aircraft factory. A solitary Ju88 joined the circuit with several aeroplanes that were landing there & bombed the buildings but did little harm.

Throughout July and into August, the Luftwaffe maintained its onslaught of the Channel convoys. Some of the attacks were on a small scale while some of the others could be termed as full scale battles. The weather was vastly improved between 20th and the 25th July, and some of the heavier battles ensued.

On July 24th 1940 Six Spitfires of 54 Squadron Rochford (Spitfires) attacked a number of Dorniers who were attacking a convoy in the Straits of Dover during the morning but the squadron had to break up to send a couple of flights to the Thames Estuary where another convoy was under attack, but they could claim no victories except to spoil the aim of the bombardiers on the Dorniers.

 This day was the last day for 54 Squadron at Rochford, they had been there for a month and had now been posted back to Hornchurch. The Operational Record Book of 54 Squadron states that July 24th was the biggest and most successful day of operations since Dunkirk. "B" Flight intercepted a formation of Do215s off Dover and Green Section under P/O Dorian Gribble managed to break up the formation forcing them to jettison their bombs and turn back across the Channel.

 An early morning raid on shipping in the Bristol Channel by Ju88s with a few ships damaged, but one Ju88 was shot down by 92 Squadron Pembrey (Spitfires). By 1100hrs, more Do17s returned to the Estuary to continue the attack on the shipping.

On a number of previous occasions, pilots had reported that many German bombers, when under attack had started to throw things out of their aircraft, although nothing was actually confirmed. But in the days Operational Record Book of 54Squadron, it was noted by "B" Flight that coils of wire, possibly about 50 feet in length were thrown out of enemy bombers that were coming under attack. 

This seems feasible, when we come to think of the British method of fighter attack. After lining up an enemy aircraft in his sights, then firing a burst of gunfire the pilot of a Hurricane of Spitfire would push his control stick forwards and bank to either port or starboard to go under the target aircraft. 

This would force the British fighter to either; a) attack at a greater range thus reducing his effectiveness and then diving to clear the cables. b)forcing the British aircraft to climb after an attack thus placing him at the mercy of the main gun armament of the enemy bomber. Because this action by German bomber crews had been officially recorded, Fighter Command HQ were notified and a memorandum was given out to all fighter squadrons and pilots.

DETAILS FROM 54 SQN OPERATIONAL RECORD BOOK-JULY 24th 1940

0812hrs: The biggest and most successful day since Dunkirk. Two early patrols were followed by a third in which "B" Flight distinguished themselves. 12 Do215s, in two waves of six attempted to bomb a convoy off Dover. The first six reached, but missed their target. A determined attack by Green Section under P/O George Gribble forced the e/a to jettison their bombs before they reached their target and to scurry home. No enemy aircraft were claimed, whilst one of our aircraft sustained damage.

This is the first instance in which coils of trailing wire (probably about 50ft in length) have been thrown out by enemy bombers as our planes pursued them.

Enemy crossfire was seen to be controlled, intensive and effective.

"A" Flight who was sent to reinforce "B" Flight did not take part in the engagement.

The ORB continues:

1125 hrs: The whole squadron took part in what they termed as "The Battle of the Thames Estuary" when a whole convoy was attacked by 18 Do215s, two squadrons of Bf109s and unknown number of He113s. The squadron accounts for 2 destroyed (confirmed) by P/O Colin Gray and Sgt George Collet, and four destroyed (unconfirmed) by F/Lt Alan Deere, F/O Desmond McMullen, P/O Edward Coleman and P/O Douglas Turley-George. Eight enemy aircraft were claimed as probably destroyed by F/O Desmond McMullen (2), P/O Dorian Gribble (2), P/O Colin Gray, F/Sgt Phillip Tew and P/O Douglas Turley-George. 

Two were damaged by P/O Edward Coleman and P/O Henry Matthews. Sadly, P/O John Allen DFC was lost in this encounter when he was attacked by a Bf109 off the coast near Margate and was seen coming down with the engine of his aircraft stopped, although it appeared that he seemed to be in full control. 

Suddenly his engine came to life and he appeared to be making for a landing at Manston, but the engine cut again and he appeared to turn the aircraft in the direction of Foulness. The aircraft stalled over the coast and the Spitfire went into an uncontrollable spin. P/O Allen did not bale out, and the aircraft crashed in flames near the Olde Charles Inn at Cliftonville near Margate.

18 more Dorniers escorted by 40+ Bf109s were intercepted over the Thames Estuary by the Spitfires of 54 Squadron (Rochford) and 65 Squadron (Hornchurch). As the Dorniers turned and headed back towards home (No shipping was hit), 610 Squadron (Gravesend) was 'scrambled' to cut off their retreat.

 A hectic battle followed, the Bf109s trying desperately to cover the Dorniers, but over the Thames Estuary, the Bf109s had to keep an eye on their fuel. Three Dorniers were shot down over the Estuary, while the RAF lost just one Spitfire and fighter ace Flying Officer Johnny Allen of 54 Squadron. As the melee moved towards Dover, four Bf109s were shot down including Adolph Galland to conclude a disastrous period for the Luftwaffe.

 Four days earlier, Major Riegel Gruppe Kommandeur of I/JG 27 was killed, as was Staffelkapitaen Oblt Keidel of 8/JG 52, then Major Werner Molders was shot down, and severely wounded and was hospitalized for over a month.

German bombing attacks took place at a number of British towns on the 24th. Houses were damaged in the usually quiet suburb of Walton-on-Thames, the aircraft factories at Weybridge were attacked as was Brooklands airfield by a Ju88 pretending to come into land.

Fighter Command Victory Claims:

7 Destroyed, 14 Unconfirmed Destroyed and 9 Damaged.

Claimants details to be added later but include:54 Sqn, 64 Sqn, 65 Sqn, 74 Sqn, 92 Sqn, 603 Sqn and 610 Squadron.

Destroyed BF109E fighters claimed by: Colin Gray, G R Collett of 54 Sqn, also Dawson-Paul of 64 Sqn,

109s were also destroyed by 610 Sqn Spitfire pilot: John Ellis, E B B Smith and H H Chandler-one apiece,

92 Sqn Kingcombe, Johnny Bryson and J A Paterson shared a Destroyed JU88.

RAF Fighter Command Losses:

1230hrs: Margate. Spitfire R6812, 54 Sqn Rochford. (Aircraft destroyed)

F/O J.L."Johnny" Allen, (a 8 victory fighter ace) Killed. His engine was damaged in a combat with Me109’s over Margate and he stalled while trying to reach Manston. He was then seen making for Foreness in a controlled descent with a dead engine, which suddenly restarted, causing him to again make for Manston. 

The engine stopped again and trying to turn for Foreness a second time he stalled and spun in and was killed when his Spitfire, R6812, crashed and burned out near the Old Charles Inn at Cliftonville. Johnny Allen was 24. He is buried in Margate Cemetery, Kent.

54 Sqn Spitfire Damaged after forced landing at Mayfield, pilot Officer A Finnie unhurt. following attack on Dornier 17 bombers bombing channel convoy 8.45 am. A/C Repairable.

54 Sqn Spitfire Written off when ran out of fuel pursuing an enemy aircraft-forced landed on beach at Dunwich, North of Sizewell. Sgt. G R Collett slightly injured. Spitfire written off.

Spitfire of 54 Sqn damaged in attack by 109 of JG26 over Margate 12.45 pm, Returned to Base with cockpit shattered. Pilot Officer H K F Matthews unhurt, Spitfire repairable.

Spitfire of 54 Sqn Damaged following attack on Do 17 bomber, attacking Channel convoy, 8.50 am. Pilot unhurt and Spitfire repairable.

1410hrs: North Weald. Hurricane P3316, 151 Sqn North Weald. (Aircraft destroyed)

P/O J.R."Jack" Hamar Killed. (Stalled aircraft at 500ft and crashed nose first on aerodrome)151 Sqn Hurricane stalled doing aerobatics . This was on return from a patrol as recorded in the book by his friend and squadron leader-Teddy Donaldson. He said as they were going down to land he saw Jack begin a barrel roll at too slow and low, around Teddy`s Hurricane, he shouted "No" but was too late as Jock stalled and crashed. Both were expert aerobatics exponents, great friends and experienced fighter pilots working as a team . Read: Battle of Britain Top Gun book on Teddy Donaldson (He was the top scoring pilot in a ground marksmanship and air target marksman competition on a firing course.)

46 Sqn Hurricane crashed on railway embankment west of Peartree Station, Derby during forced landing- P/O A M Cooper-Key Killed, Hurricane written off.

64 Sqn Spitfire damaged but repairable after attack on D017 over Goodwin sands Sub Lt Paul unhurt.

66 Sqn Spitfire crashed into sea during patrol 7.20 pm. Sgt A D Smith unhurt. Aircraft lost.

74 Sqn Spitfire forced landed at base with damage after Undercarriage was left retracted Aircraft repairable, F/O Nelson unhurt.

145 Sqn Hurricane crashed on landing, repairable. Jas Storrar unhurt.

LUFTWAFFE LOSSES TO ALL CAUSES

14 written off. At least 7 of these were Messerschmitt BF109E fighters after combat with the RAF and off Margate mostly. These corresponded to claims by Colin Gray of 54 Sqn, John Ellis of 610 Sqn who shot down a Luftwaffe Gruppen Kdr. of Stab II/JG 52-Hptmn. von Houwald killed, off Margate.

In addition a BF110C exploded belonging to Erprobungs Gruppe 210 possibly to AA fire off Harwich. Crew killed.

Of the BF109E pilots-6 were killed and 1 taken prisoner. Plus the 2 crew killed of the BF110.

Other losses were a Ju88 to 92 Sqn pilots, plus another Ju88 unknown cause, an Arado Ar66 written off, A He 111 damaged by 603 Sqn, 2 more Heinkel IIIs written off a FW200 lost in the sea, plus 2 Stukas Damaged to various causes.

Len Deighton in his book 'The Battle of Britain' claims that when the British fighters were outnumbered by the Luftwaffe, they suffered the heaviest losses and that their greatest victories were when they attacked lone bombers such as Dorniers and Heinkels. Len also states that it took a German aircraft only five minutes to cross the Channel, but it took up to fifteen minutes for a British fighter to to reach an altitude to intercept it. Also Len claims that by the end of the month (July), the RAF had lost 118 aircraft and that Dowding by the 19th July claimed that the RAF losses were rising at such a rate that Fighter Command seemed destined to extinction within six weeks.

If we compare this with Richard Hough and Denis Richards book 'Battle of Britain-the jubilee year', in the chronology, it tells us that during the first month (July), Britain lost only 69 aircraft, and if we exclude the disastrous day in which the RAF lost eight Defiants, the largest number of aircraft lost in a single days fighting was only seven and that was during one of the biggest battles of the month. These figures are claimed to have come from the actual historical records. On reading the account by Richard and Denis, it appears that even though the fighters had to be 'scrambled', on most occasions the British fighters still met the enemy while still over the Channel.

It is not easy to find the accurate figures, or who to agree with when we read these magnificent books. If we take the 19th July as an example, the chronology in Richard and Denis's book tells us that eight aircraft were lost but make no mention of any other skirmish taking place on that day. But in a contribution to "The Battle of Britain - a 50th Anniversary", Mike Spick tells us that only six Defiants were lost on the 19th July, and that later in the day, eleven British fighters were lost and four damaged when 1, 32, 43, 64, 145 and 603 Squadrons were involved in action.

It seems that all of these books, and possibly other splendid books on this subject, all seem to agree on the dates and the actions that took place on these days, it is only the number of losses that seem to differ.

561 sorties were flown in defence of Britain by RAF Fighter Command, some pilots flying several sorties, which testifies to how few fighters were up against any one raid, often outnumbered, as recorded by Alan Deere in his book: Nine Lives..

See my separate posts for this date 24th July including a tribute to Johnny Allen of 54 sqn.

Paul Davies, Thanks to Battle of Britain Historical Society and the books: Men of the Battle of Britain, Nine Lives by Alan Deere, The Greatest Squadron of them all-603 Auvilairy Air Force Squadron by David Ross et al, Spitfire Ace by (65 sqn pilot) Gordon Olive DFC. Also to Battle of Britain Memorial Site, Battle of Britain Monument Site and to Battle of Britain-Then and Now. Battle Over Britain by F K Mason , the books: Hornchurch Scramble by Richard Smith, Battle Of Britain-The Jubilee Year by Hough and Richards, The Narrow Margin by D Wood and D Dempster and the late Mark Drinkall and my posts between 2018 and 2022

Images of 151 Squadron Teddy Donaldson sunbathing between scrambles with Jack Hamar nearby , Also of Jack Hamar and Johnny Allen of 54 Sqn-both killed today. Paul Davies