William L. Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
William L. Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
Thank you for posting these.
Its amazing that these are stories of what seems for the younger generation (myself included) a different world...yet in reality it isn’t, the threats, the evil is of the same magnitude, yet it is only our response that has become massively weaker and inept.
Date: 31 July 1940
Enemy action by day
Enemy activity was on a reduced scale; this may have been partly due to the lack of cloud cover when operations were attempted on the South Coast, but it was also noteworthy that enemy aircraft not infrequently turned away as soon as our fighters were sent to intercept. Successful interceptions, however, were made, resulting in one Ju88 and one Do215 being regarded as probable casualties off Dungeness and the Isle of Wight respectively, and one Me109 being shot down near Dover.
South and South West
Reconnaissances of shipping took place off the Cornish coast eastwards to the Straits. A "special" convoy was particularly investigated, and, as an addition to the escort, two extra sections were detailed to reinforce, resulting in the Do215 being shot down (unconfirmed) by No 1 Squadron (Hurricanes). Later, a raid of fifteen aircraft approached Dover and in the subsequent combat No 74 Squadron shot down one Me109, but we lost two Spitfires. No 64 Squadron, also detailed to intercept, did not make contact.
South East
At 0635 hours a raid appeared off Berck and made for Dungeness, it was intercepted by No 111 Squadron (Hurricanes). At 1700 hours the Dover Balloon Barrage was attacked. Various other raids originating in the Calais-Gris Nez areas approached, but as in previous days, turned away on seeing our fighters. At no time did these aircraft come nearer than 5 to 10 miles off the English coast.
East
At about 0615 hours a raid approached a convoy off Harwich without attacking it but bombs are reported to have been dropped near four ships off Lowestoft and near a naval unit in Yarmouth Roads. Three sections despatched at various times failed to make contact.
North and North-East
Activity in this area was confined to three meteorological flights off the North Scottish coast.
France
Numerous tracks were plotted off Cherbourg, Calais and Boulogne, but only a small proportion ventured far from the French Coast.
By night
Enemy activity has been on a heavy scale and raids occurred in most parts of the country south and east of a line Liverpool to Newcastle.
Minelaying appeared to be the object from Berwick to the Thames Estuary and about fifty aircraft appear to have been involved. Very few raids appeared to cross inland in these areas. One enemy aircraft is reported shot down into the sea at about 0015 hours by No 29 Squadron (Blenheims), between North Coates and Spurn Head.
Many raids proceeded from the Channel Islands and Cherbourg, crossing the coast and proceeding north and west to the South Wales area. Bombs are reported at Monk Nash, south-east of Swansea. An unplotted raid appeared from the west over Milford Haven.
A procession of raids, which appeared to emanate from Le Havre area, crossed the coast between Beachy Head and Shoreham, and proceeded to the Thames area. There are reports of bombing at north-east of Hornchurch near Shoeburyness, Southminster, near Southend, near Brentwood, Rochester, Croydon, Rochford, near Gravesend, near Ipswich, near Wattisham and near Martlesham.
One hostile raid first appeared south of Liverpool as a sound plot and passed south via Bristol Channel over the coast in the Portland area. Another hostile raid was first plotted flying west of Liverpool Bay. Only a few plots were obtained of this raid.
Addendum
It has since been reported by Headquarters Balloon Command that one aircraft attacked with machine-gun fire, balloons in south-east London between 2200 and 2212 hours on 30 July, 1940. Balloons were flying at operational height in 10/10th clod. One balloon was brought down by enemy action. No personnel casualties reported.
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Statistics
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours, 31 July 1940
Casualties:
Patrols:
Balloons:
Aerodromes:
Organisation:
Air Intelligence Reports
Home Security Reports
$108,000 headed for the Federal Reserve taken. That is a huge robbery. I wonder if they were ever caught.