Date: 13 July 1940
- Weather: Early morning fog in southern England clearing by mid-morning.
- Day: Shipping attacks off Dover and Portland.
- Night: Minelaying in Thames Estuary.
Enemy action by day
During the day the enemy focussed his attention primarily on shipping and many bombs were dropped on convoys but no hits are reported. Major fighter engagements were as follows:
- i. Off Portland at 1430 hours.
- ii. In the Dover area at 1730 hours.
- iii. About 15 miles off Calais at 1800 hours.
Attack on Shipping in Portland Area
At 1420 hours 20 enemy aircraft attacked shipping off Portland. No 238 Squadron (Hurricanes) and No 609 Squadron (Spitfires) intercepted and shot down 3 Me110s and one Do17 confirmed and one Me110 and one Do17 unconfirmed. Our casualties - one Hurricane.
Attack on Dover Harbour
At about 1730 hours a mixed formation of Ju87s and Me109s attacked Dover Harbour and a convoy south of Dover. 64 Squadron (Spitfires) intercepted and shot down 2 Me109s unconfirmed. One Spitfire was slightly damaged by AA fire but landed safely. AA guns claim one Ju87 which was later seen to fall into the sea. This has not been confirmed.
Engagement off Calais
At about 1800 hours, 56 Squadron (Hurricanes) intercepted a mixed force of 6 Ju87s and 12 Me113s about 15 miles off Dover. In the ensuing encounter, 3 Ju87s and 2 He113s were shot down for certain and one Ju87 probable. Our casualties - 2 Hurricanes.
South Coast
During the early morning 2 raids approached the Isle of Wight crossing the Hampshire and Dorset coasts. In spite of heavy clouds 501 Squadron (Hurricanes) shot down a Do17 west of Southampton. At 1114 hours an He111 which appeared over Spithead was shot down by 43 Squadron (Hurricanes).
East Coast
During the day 8 raids were reported off the East Coast, two of which attacked convoys. No hits have been reported.
Bombing
Bombs were dropped in the following areas:- Dundee, Warmwell, 4 miles NE Lulworth Cove.
By night
Fighters were despatched to intercept a few enemy raids but no interceptions were effected. There was little enemy activity. Minelaying is suspected in the Thames Estuary and between Middlesborough and The Wash.
Bombing
No reports of bombing have been received. An explosion occurred at 2310 hours in High Duty Alloys Factory at Slough in which one man was killed and 45 injured (23 slightly). Cause is at present unknown.
Patrols over France
Nil.
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Statistics
Casualties:
- Enemy:
- Fighters - 6 confirmed 3 unconfirmed
- Bombers - 6 confirmed, 2 unconfirmed
- Own:
- 3 Hurricanes.
Patrols:
- 143 patrols despatched involving 473 aircraft.
Balloons:
- Flying 1091. Casualties 32.
Aerodromes:
- Dyce and Catterick unserviceable during the hours of darkness.
Organisation:
- No. 152 Squadron (Spitfire) from Acklington to Warmwell
- No. 141 Squadron (Defiant) from Turnhouse to West Malling and is non-operational
- No. 79 Squadron (Hurricane) from Turnhouse to Acklington
Air Intelligence Reports
- Increasing use is being made of armour plate both in bombers and fighters. An armoured bulkhead conforming to shape of fuselage five feet behind pilot was found on a Messerschmitt 109 which crashed at Elham (Kent). The thickness of the plate is 8mm.
Home Security Reports
- Period: 11th - 13th July 1940
- General Summary
- During the extended period under review the enemy has continued widely dispersed dropping of bombs in different parts of the country. Areas in Central and North-eastern Scotland, County Durham, Devonshire and South Wales have been affected by the attacks but no very serious damage or casualties have resulted except as reported in the previous summary.
- Detailed Summary
- St Eval Aerodrome suffered minor damage from HE bombs on the 12th July.
- Bombs were dropped on the same day in a number of places in South Wales. Traffic was delayed on the main GWR line between Newport and Cardiff on account of a reported unexploded bomb which was subsequently reported to have exploded.
- Electric cables were damaged at Greatham, approximately 4 miles North-west of Billingham.
- Portland was raided by nine to twelve enemy aircraft but no damage or casualties were caused.
- At Dover, several bombs were dropped in an unsuccessful attack on shipping.
