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Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile.

William L. Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich

Thus begins the number of enemy planes shot down daily claims.

Sorry, I never got past “BRITISH BEAT OFF...”.

Hitler planning invasions of Britain and Russia at the same time. Madness.

I find these articles interesting. When I was a little boy I remember so well sitting before a radio listen to the war news of WW2, use to scare the dickens out of me, blankets over the windows, no lights allowed anywhere in the house. I was just a wee little boy but remember it so well.

Thanks!

Battle of Britain Campaign Diary

Date: 21 July 1940

Weather: Fine and fair early, clouding over during the morning. Fair in the evening.
Day: Raids on convoys in Channel and Straits of Dover.
Night: Targets chiefly at Merseyside.
Enemy action by day
The main activity of the day was centred in the Channel and the Straits of Dover, convoys being the objectives. A few isolated raids penetrated inland.
South and South West
In the morning, the enemy carried out shipping reconnaissance in the Channel and shortly afterwards made two unsuccessful attacks on convoy "Peewit". At 1458 hours another large raid approached this convoy but retired when three squadrons were despatched to intercept. On Spitfire is reported lost whilst on convoy patrol at about 0930 hours.
At 1520 hours, 9+ aircraft were approaching Portland; this formation turned 90° and attacked "Peewit". In the engagement one Me109 was shot down certain and one Hurricane of the escorting flight is missing. Meanwhile, one flight of Hurricanes sent to Portland to intercept, chased and shot down 10 miles from the French coast 1 Me110 confirmed, and 1 Me110 unconfirmed.
Several other large formations approached convoys but retired after our fighters had been sent up.
Of the raids which penetrated inland, on Me110, which shot down a Hector near Old Sarum, was shot down by Hurricanes near Goodwood. Hurricanes also shot down a Do17 near Blandford.
North and East Coasts
There was little enemy activity off the North and East coasts. The enemy carried out reconnaissance work off Wick and East Anglia.
France
Numerous patrols were maintained over the Calais - Dunkerque area, particularly over Calais.
By night
Enemy operations appear to have been on a smaller scale than usual, but cover a large area. Minelaying was suspected in Plymouth area, Thames Estuary and immediately north of it and in the Tyne area.
Attacks on the West Country seem to have started mostly from Cherbourg district. Some 6 or 8 raids crossed the coast between 2330 and 0300 hours at various places. Two raids went as far as Barrow-in-Furness and returned via Liverpool and over Yorkshire. Other isolated raids went over Leeds, Church Fenton, Tyneside, over Norfolk and Wiltshire. Bombs are reported to have been dropped in Tyneside, near Derby, Driffield and Hornsea, but no serious damage has been so far reported. It is reported at 0520 hours that an unsuccessful attempt was made on a convoy off the Lincolnshire coast.
________________________________________
Statistics
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours, 21 July 1940
Blenheim - 65
Spitfire - 236
Hurricane - 309
Defiant - 21
Total – 620
Casualties:
Enemy:
Fighters - 3 confirmed, 1 unconfirmed; Bombers - 1 confirmed.
Anti-Aircraft at Plymouth claims one aircraft (type unknown) unconfirmed.
Own:
1 Hurricane confirmed (No. 43 Squadron), 1 Spitfire confirmed (No. 54 Squadron).
Additional Information From information since received, enemy casualties reported yesterday are now:
15 confirmed and 8 unconfirmed [fighters and bombers]. In addition, 1 He111, 1 Do17 and one Ju88 were shot down by anti-aircraft fire.
Patrols:
190 patrols despatched involving 596 aircraft.
Balloons:
Flying 1142. Casualties 60.
Aerodromes:
All serviceable
Organisation:
No. 152 Squadron (Spitfire) has moved from Warmwell to Middle Wallop.
No. 64 Squadron (Spitfire) "Blue" Section now operational, "Red" Section non-operational.
No. 229 Squadron (Hurricane) has not yet moved to Turnhouse.
No. 263 Squadron (Hurricane) 4 aircraft only operational.
No. 605 Squadron (Hurricane) 3 aircraft only operational.
No. 253 Squadron (Hurricane) moved to Turnhouse.
No. 3 Squadron (Hurricane) 8 aircraft moved to Sumburgh.
Air Intelligence Reports
Nil
Home Security Reports
17-20th July 1940.
General Summary
During the 19th July, enemy aircraft activity was again confined to almost entirely to coastal areas. With the exception of an attack on Glasgow, there is little to report.
Detailed Summary
It is now learned that six bombs were dropped on July 17th at Nutfield Aerodrome (near Godstone, Surrey) at 1155 hours. No damage was caused.
At about 1040 hours on the 19th July, 8 HE were dropped in the Govan and Scotstoun areas of Glasgow. Tenements were seriously damaged and an occupied communal shelter was blown up. Windows of the Royal Ordnance Factory, Cardonald, were broken by splinters and blast, but the factory was not otherwise damaged.
At about 0603 hours on the 19th July, bombs were dropped on the Norfolk and Norwich Aerodrome at Norwich. A hangar, used for the storage of AFS appliances, was hit and the clubhouse was burnt out.
During the July 19th, bombs were also dropped on Milton Aerodrome (near Pembroke) at 1245 hours and on Manston Aerodrome at 2320 hours. No damage has been reported.
At 1720 hours on the 19th July, a boy's school was demolished when bombs were dropped on Polruan, near Fowey.
At 0120 hours on July 20th bombs were dropped at Abbotsinch Aerodrome (Renfrew).
At 0220 hours on the 20th July, bombs were dropped on Stirling. Two houses were demolished and minor damage caused to adjacent buildings.
Battle of Britain