Today is the day that is widely accepted (atleast by the Brits) as the beginning of the:
"The Battle Of Brtian"
July 10th 1940,
Today was marked by Luftwaffe attacks on convoys in the Channel.
From BattleofBritian.net:
The bulk of attacks were in the south where the Luftwaffe went on probing attacks on British shipping in the English channel and in the outer Thames Estuary. Smaller raids, and a number of german reconnaissance aircraft were spotted along the east coast while other nuisance radis took place in the north. During this phase, London remained unscathed, in fact many Londoner's went about their business as usual as if there was no war at all, the only reminder that their country was at war was the AA gun emplacements, the barrage ballons, an occasional searchlight and of course purchasing restrictions and the supply of anderson shelters to the majority of backyards and gardens.
Most of these attacks in the channel were on the merchant convoys conveying much needed coal, raw materials, machinery and foodstuffs to Britain. By sinking these merchant ships Germany would deny the British people on the various commodities required just for their sheer existance. But at the same time, by attacking these channel convoys, it was hoped that it would draw out the British fighters from their bases, This way the luftwaffe could analyze the strength of the RAF, determine the speed and efficiency that the RAF could deploy its squadrons, in other words. Germany was testing the efficiency and strength on the Royal Air Force and it was hoped that the Luftwaffe would destroy the RAF in the air.
Battle Diary
by Richard Townshend Bickers
Wednesday, July 10: Rain over most of Britain. Showers south-east England and Channel.
Day: RAF No.11 Group began detaching whole squadrons instead of flights to forward airfields at first light. Enemy dawn weather reconnnaissance and, tactical reconnaisance during morning. A few inconclusive interceptions. Enemy activity heavier than usual. By 1330 hrs some 20 Do 17s, 20 Bf 109s and 30 Bf 110s forming up in Calais area seen on radar. These attacked convoy escorted by six Hurricanes off Dover. Four more squadrons sent reinforcing hurricanes. One ship sunk, three Hurricanes and 4 Bf 109s shot down. Near Newhaven, train attacked, driver killed. Seventy bomber raid on Falmouth and Swansea killed 30, damaged ships, railways, power station and ordnance factory. RAF station Martlesham Heath in Suffolk slightly damaged.
Night: Scotland, south-east and east coast raided.
Aircraft losses: RAF 6, Luftwaffe 13.
Another perspective of the days events:
Day: First large scale engagements. Heavy afternoon battle over the large convoy (Bread) off Dover by more than 20 Do17`s from KG 2 with heavy fighter escort of Bf 109's from JG 51 and Bf 110's of ZG 26 were engaged by Spitfires and Hurricane's from Biggin Hill, Croydon and Manston. Over 100 aircraft engaged. 1 small ship was sunk. There were serious raids on Falmouth and Swansea by Ju 88's from Luftflotte 3. There were lighter attacks elsewhere along south and East Coast.
The first Czech Squadron was formed on this day (No 310 Squadron).
Night: Raids on Thames Valley, Home Counties, East Coast and Western Scotland.
Losses: Luftwaffe 13: Fighter Command 3.
Weather: It was overcast with thunder and rain generally, clearing later with showers in the South East.
R.A.F. Losses for Wednesday the 10th of July 1940
Squadron Aircraft Serial Number Pilot
No 56 Squadron Hurricane I ? E.J.Gracie
No 111 Squadron Hurricane I P3671 T.P.K.Higgs
No 253 Squadron Hurricane I P3359 I.C.C.Clenshaw
And another:
Weather Forecast
Overcast with rain over most of Britain. Southeast England and Channel, showery.
Combat Report
The main attacks concentrated on shipping. At 1100hrs a convoy was attacked off North Foreland by 1 Dornier (Do17) and escorted by Me109s. Spitfires of No: 74 Squadron, scrambled from Manston, engaged the enemy aircraft. At the same time Spitfires of No: 610 Squadron were scrambled from Biggin Hill to intercept Me109's over Dover. At 1330hrs about 120 enemy aircraft had formed in the Calais area to attack the convoy between Dover and Dungeness. Hurricanes from No: 34, 56 & 111 Squadrons along with Spitfires of No: 74 & 64 Squadrons were scrambled.
Later in the day enemy raids took place along the West, South and East coasts with the largest being nearly 70 bombers attacking Falmouth & Swansea. During the night, further raids were plotted with bombs dropped on Guisborough, Canewdon, Hertford, Isle of Grain, Isle of Mull (West Coast of Scotland), Colchester, Welwyn and Ely.
Statistics
R.A.F. Losses: 8 aircraft damaged or destroyed and 2 pilots killed.
Luftwaffe Losses: 20 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 23 pilots & aircrew killed or missing and 10 wounded.
NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.
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Even though the 10th of July is generally thought of as the beginning of the Battle of Britian. German aggression slowly built up to this point in the weeks previous.
By Richard Townshend Bickers
The air battle did not suddenly burst upon Britain on July 10, 1940, without any preliminaries. The Luftwaffe was not entirely inactive during this lull. it had made it's first large scale radis on the night of June 18th, when 100 bombers attacked targets between Yorkshire and Kent. A South African Flight Lieutenant, A.G. malan of No. 74 Squadron, considered by his fellows to be the outstanding personality in the Battle, an exceptional pilot and a gifted leader, was flying a Spitfire that night and shot down two bombers that were caught by searchlights. The next night, 100 bombers raided targets in southern, eastern and and northern England, and south Wales, On Seven more nights that month mainland Britian felt the impact of German bombs on the eastern counties, the Midlands, thesouth-west and west of England, south Wales and Scotland. On two successive nights, June 25 and 26, the defending pilots, groping their way about in the dar, flying seroplanes designed for day fighting, and relying on their eyesight and searchlights to pick up a target, shot down three raiders, On June 28 the Channel islands were bombed.
The Luftwaffe made it's first daylight raid on July 1st, on Hull, in Yorkshire and Wick, in Scotland; and repeated this performance on the next two days. On July 3rd the RAF brought down six bobmbers. On July 4th Portland was the Target, again in daylight. Some small ships were sunk or damaged, buildings battered and civilians killed. On July 5,6,7,8 and 9 many parts of Britain sufffered day and night raids during which slight damage was done to ports and factories and more people were blown apart. Aircraft on both sides were destroyed; not always a mere few--- on july 8th RAF shot down 8 for the loss of three.
Now the most intesive aggression against Britian was about to be unleashed. Its objectives were:
1. The blocked of the British Isles in co-operation with the German Navy: attacks on ports and shipping, and the mining of harbour entrances and sea lanes.
2. The achievement of air supremacy as a preliminary to the invasion.
3. Annihilation of Britian by total air warfare.
It is salutary at this point to consider what would have been the consequences if this final objective had been attained. Among all the admiration and respect that has been expressed by fromer enemy airmen for each other, the much vaunted chivalry shared by the opposing air forces, and the general forgivness and friendliness that have burgeoned in the half century that has passed since the Battle, it should never be forgotten that victory for Germany in the Battle of Britian would have meant victory in the war.
RAF fighter Command, Anti-Arcraft Command, the Observer Corps (later Royal), the Fire Service, the Civil Defence, were all fighting for the lives of their compatriots, men, women, and children, and the freedom of future generations: generations of Britons who would never have been born if the Luftwaffe had had it ways.
July 10th marks the beginning........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kkv1-jYWXI
Shay
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Semper Fortis
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