Warbird Information Exchange

This day during The Battle of Britain, Day 16.


By R.T. Bickers

Thursday, July 25: Mist in Straits of Dover, elsewhere fine.


Day: The Germans now had some radar on the Channel coast. this morning it picked up 21 merchant ships with two armed trawlers as escort, off Southend. The mist cleared as they entered the straits. Sixty Ju 87s escorted by Bf 109s led by Galland, attacked. They sank five and damaged five. Two destroyers that went out from Dover were also bombed and both hit. Two New Zealanders, Flight Lieutenant Alan Deere and Pilot Officer Colin Gray (Who ended the war as New Zealand's most highly decorated pilot and top scorer with 27 1/2 kills) were among five Spitfire pilots scrambled to intercept. A squadron of Hurricanes arrived later. Galland reported, "In the space of about 15 minutes I saw four fighters hit the sea and one pilot parachuting." Other Channel shipping was attacked during the day.

Night: Reconnaissance west of England and Channel, mines layed Thames and Firth of Fourth.

Aircraft losses: RAF 7, Luftwaffe 16.



Another account from Battle-of-Britain.com

25th July

Weather Forecast
Mist in the Straits of Dover. Settled and fine over British Isles.



Combat Report
Luftwaffe attacks along the South & East coasts increased with small raids during the morning on shipping near Portland and Portsmouth where Spitfires of No: 152 Squadron intercepted Ju87's & Do17's and were themselves attacked by Me109's. It wasn't until just after Noon that the first big raid approached Dover with Me109's flying low to avoid radar. Large dogfights broke out involving the raiders and Spitfires of No: 65 Squadron were the first into combat with Hurricanes of No: 32 & 615 Squadrons arriving as another large wave of over 40 Me109's attacked. Soon after another raid, by more than 60 Ju87's, approached and Spitfires of No: 54 Squadron were scrambled from Hornchurch to intercept.

At about 1430hrs Ju88's, escorted by over 50 Me109's, were spotted by Spitfires of No: 64 Squadron from Kenley and attacked whilst Hurricanes of No: 111 Squadron scrambled to assist. Also Ju88's had approached the Isle of Wight and Poole to attack shipping. Later in the afternoon another large raid attacked ships off Folkestone & Dover and Hurricanes of No: 56 Squadron attacked the Ju87's whilst Spitfires of No: 54 & 64 Squadrons engaged the Me109 escorts.

1830hrs saw another raid approach the southeast coast and was met by Spitfires of No: 610 Squadron scrambled from Biggin Hill. Smaller raids were made along this coastline up until about 2000hrs.

It became apparent that heavier escorts of Me109's and more bombing raids were to encourage Fighter Command to commit more fighters, hence the decision to limit the use of Spitfires & Hurricanes to preserve the already depleting resources.

No bombing was reported during the night but mines were dropped off the Scottish, Northeast and East Anglia coastlines.


Statistics

R.A.F. Losses: 11 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 5 pilots killed or missing and 1 wounded.

Luftwaffe losses: 21 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 22 pilots & aircrew killed or missing and 5 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and other accidents.



Battlefield Detectives The Battle of Britain 1 thru 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POUok3PaU5M&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtKcyHLbtG4&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UNE6y-SW80&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atCcMM5i1eQ&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WVyu_afg04&mode=related&search=



From R.T. Bicker's BOB

German groundcrew toil with the inertia starter of the Junker Ju 87.


"We will fight them on the beaches"; German style, as sappers and anti-tank troops of the Wehrmacht practice for the invasion, code-named Operation SeaLion, in the summer of 1940.


The first mark of Rolls Royce Merlin used ro power the Spitfire was the Mk II which had a maximum output of 1,030 brake hp at 16,250 ft, at 3000 rpm and 6 1/4 lbs. of boost. originally with a wooden propeller, the Merlin could also turn a tree-blade metal propeller.


In the luftwaffe, command was often more to do with prowess than rank. Adolf Galland, seen here with Herman Goering, became Kommodore of JG 26 while still a major, although promotion followed.


A donier Do 17Z refuels before a sortie over England. Some non-standard guns have appeared in an attempt to give all-round defensive cover against the eager British fighters.


With a groundcrewman guiding his feet, a Spitfire pilot enter his cockpit. A fighter pilot always mounts his machine from the left, like a cavalryman his horse.




Shay
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Semper Fortis