Date: 22nd August 1940
- Weather: Cloudy and squally.
- Day: Shipping reconnaissance and attacks on two Channel convoys.
- Night: Increased activity particularly in the Midlands, north and west. Some minelaying.
Enemy action by day
Enemy activity consisted chiefly of a number of shipping reconnaissances off the South and East Coasts and two major attacks, one on a convoy in the Straits of Dover, the other in the Manston/Dover area. Interceptions were effected by fighters and enemy aircraft were destroyed.
North Coast
One reconnaissance flight was plotted towards Arbroath.
East Coast
One raid of three aircraft was plotted from St Abb's Head and was reported over a convoy in that area. Another raid was plotted over Orfordness; this aircraft was chased out to sea by our fighters but escaped after jettisoning its bombs.
At 1830 hours, a raid of 30+ crossed the coast near Deal and bombing is reported. Between 1900 and 1945 hours, a number of aircraft approached the coast in waves and bombs were reported at Dover, Deal and Manston. Six squadrons were sent to oppose these raids but a few interceptions were effected.
South East Coast
The were a number of reconnaissance flights to convoys off the Estuary and in the Straits and one enemy aircraft is reported to have been 'spotting' for guns shelling a convoy off Deal. Shortly after the shelling ceased a raid of 30+, which massed in the Gris Nez area, attacked the convoy between 1240 and 1315 hours. Two and a half squadrons of fighters were sent up to protect the convoy. Thereafter, several hostile formations were plotted in the Straits, but these turned back without engagement.
South and West Coast
Some eleven raids were plotted on reconnaissance flights along the South Coast; of these, one penetrated to Bristol, another crossed inland to the Thames Estuary and East Coast and a third was shot down over Somerset.
Between 2100 and 0100 hours, enemy aircraft visited Aberdeen, Pontefract district, Hampshire, Bristol, South Wales and a convoy of Kinnaird's Head. Minelaying is suspected in the Thames Estuary and to a lesser degree up to Flamborough Head and off the Firth of Forth.
By night
Enemy activity has been on a considerably larger scale and more widespread than for some time past, and continued throughout the hours of darkness. Raids have consisted almost entirely of single aircraft.
Raids were also plotted in the Bradford, Hull and Middlesborough areas.
Later, one raid of three aircraft flew over North Wales toward Liverpool and Manchester. Manston was again attacked.
London Central twice received the 'purple' warning and the 'red' warning at 0325 hours when 4 or more enemy aircraft were reported in the area. Later, Harrow was attacked.
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Statistics
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours, 22nd August 1940
- Blenheim - 58
- Spitire - 219
- Hurricane - 412
- Defiant - 26
- Gladiator - 6
- Total – 721
Casualties:
Enemy Lossees By Fighters Destroyed Probable Damaged 2 Me109 3 Me109 3 Ju88 1 Do215 1 Me110 6 4 0 By Anti-Aircraft Destroyed Probable Damaged Nil - Own:
- Five aircraft (2 pilots lost).
Patrols:
- Own
- 141 patrols involving 536 aircraft.
- Enemy
- Estimated approximately 190 aircraft of which 140 during the day (sunrise to sunset) and by night 230.
Balloons:
- Flying 1433, Casualties 99 (88 repairable, 8 written off and 3 by enemy action).
Aerodromes:
- Manston unserviceable until dawn, 23 August.
- Eastchurch totally unserviceable.
- Abbotsinch and Hartlepool.
Organisation:
- No changes.
Air Intelligence Reports
- No reports.
Home Security Reports
- Date: 21st/22nd/23rd August 1940
- General Summary
- A number of enemy aircraft appeared during the day, principally over the southern half of the country. Bombs were dropped in the Aldeburgh district in Suffolk and in the Scilly Isles, causing little damage. During the night of 22nd/23rd reports have been received of enemy activity against RAF stations and in the London area.
- Detailed Summary
- 21st August
- Catfoss RAF Station. It has now been reported that damage was done to runway and landing ground. It is also reported that one of the unexploded bombs is suspected to be a 2,000lb bomb.
- At the Royal Naval Station at Eastchurch it is reported that eight craters, approximately 10 feet in diameter, were made at the south end of the landing ground.
- 22nd August
- Manston RAF Station was heavily bombed at 1910 hours on the 22nd and at 0125 hours on the 23rd. Approximately thirty bombs were dropped during the first raid resulting in the destruction of two hangars and two Blenheim aircraft. Some buildings were damaged and the aerodrome made unserviceable.
- Filton RAF Station was bombed at 2358 hours and the Bristol Aero Factory was hit, but the ensuing fire was extinguished.
- Guildford. At midnight, a train between Wanborough station and Tongham (Guildford rural area) was attacked with HE and IB and set on fire. One casualty so far reported.
- Barnstaple. At Umberleigh, a train was machine-gunned at 1615 hours.
- Brighton. HE were dropped in the Kemp Town area, 100 yards from a gun battery, which, however, was not put out of action.
- Peterhead, near Aberdeen, was bombed at 2200 hours. Damage was caused to one house, water and gas mains. A signal cabin and engine were damaged, resulting in blockage of line.
- 23rd August
- It was reported that HE were dropped at approximately 0310 hours on Harrow, Edmonton and Willesdon districts.
- Casualties on Ground by Enemy Action:
- To RAF Personnel - 0 killed, 3 injured.
- To others - 3 killed, 36 injured
- Enemy Attacks by Shell Fire
- Reports have been received that approximately thirty shells of unknown calibre have fallen in the Dover area between the hours of 2100 and 2210 on the 22nd. Considerable damage was caused to houses and a church. Gas and water mains were seriously affected. At 1255 hours, St Margaret's Bay, near Folkestone was also reported to have been shelled causing slight damage.