Despite the great scientific minds that existed in Germany in that day none of them had a firm grasp on the military applicability of radar.
Plus a special guest map from Michael Korda’s, “With Wings Like Eagles,” showing the air defenses of England and Wales, August 1940.
With the virtue of hindsight, we know that the air kill claims were way off, but it’s fascinating to see how such a titanic historical struggle was covered in the press. I certainly appreciate it.
Looks like Schmelling is joining the paratroops. We will have to wait until May of next year to see if that is just propaganda or if he’ll actually go into combat.
Date: 14 August 1940
Enemy action by day
In the early hours activity was limited to small patrols off Gris Nez, and one or two reconnaissance flights off the coast. At about midday, large raids approached the Kent coast and attacked Manston, Dover, Folkestone and Deal areas. These raids were intercepted and casualties inflicted. There was again a lull until 1600 hours, when a large number of small raids crossed the coast in the region of Weymouth and Lyme Bay and proceeded to the South Wales, Gloucester and Middle Wallop areas.
North and East Coasts
Only two raids were plotted in this area during the day, one of which crossed inland in the vicinity of Whitby, but flew out to sea again and faded shortly afterwards. Two sections of fighters failed to intercept.
South East Coast
At 1200 hours, five raids totalling some 300 aircraft approached the Kentish Coast between North Foreland and Dover, and it was reported that Dover and Folkestone were dive-bombed, and an attack was made on Manston Aerodrome. Eight balloons were shot down at Dover, and a Lightship was sunk off Folkestone. Our fighters intercepted these raids and inflicted casualties. The Bofors Guns at Manston shot down two Me110. After these raids had retired a considerable number of plots were detected in the Channel, which appeared to be enemy aircraft engaged on salvage operations. It was reported that an enemy surface craft and two hospital planes escorted by fighters were seen in a position off the North Goodwins Light Vessel. Of other raids plotted in this area, one appeared to make a reconnaissance of Manston and another bombed the RAF Station at Pevensey. Other raids penetrated to Kenley and Maidstone areas. One of these raids was intercepted on its way back off Dungeness, but without conclusive results.
South and West
In the morning, reconnaissances were made of Portland and Weymouth and several between Cherbourg and The Lizard. From 1600 hours, a large number of small raids of one to three aircraft came from the Cherbourg area and crossed the coast to South Wales, Gloucester and Middle Wallop areas.
By night
There was very slight enemy activity, but a He111, which appeared in North Wales, was subsequently shot down near Sealand by anti-aircraft fire. There were a few raids in Aberdeenshire and over convoys off Kinnaird's Head.
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Statistics
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours, 14 August 1940
Casualties:
| Enemy Losses | ||
|---|---|---|
| By Fighters | ||
| Destroyed | Probable | Damaged |
| 7 Me109 | 5 Me109 | 2 Me109 |
| 1 Me110 | 2 Ju87 | 2 Ju87 |
| 1 He113 | 1 He111 | 3 He111 |
| 6 Ju87 | 1 Do215 | |
| 5 Ju88 | 1 Do17 | |
| 1 Do17 | ||
| 1 He111 | ||
| 1 unknown | ||
| 23 | 8 | 9 |
| By Anti-Aircraft | ||
| Destroyed | Probable | Damaged |
| 2 Ju87 | ||
| 1 Do17 | ||
| 2 Me110 | ||
| 1 He111 | ||
| 1 unknown | ||
| 7 |
Patrols:
Balloons:
Aerodromes:
Organisation:
Air Intelligence Reports
Home Security Reports
The defenders are definitely going to use gas if there is an invasion. Back on June 15th, Sir John Dill made the argument that poison gas should be used on German forces that succeeded in getting ashore that could not immediately be turned back. Though there were some objections, on June 30th Churchill received the agreement of the Cabinet on the use of gas for that purpose.