Date: 21st September 1940
- Weather: Mainly fine.
- Day: Some fighter sweeps in east Kent.
- Night: London and Merseyside attacked.
Enemy action by day
Enemy reconnaissances were active along the East, South and South West Coasts during the day and attacked some isolated objectives.
In the evening a strong formation, consisting mainly of fighters, made a sweep over Kent and the Estuary, some penetrating to the eastern boundary of Central London. During the day our fighters destroyed 2 enemy aircraft (plus 1 probable plus 6 damaged). Our casualties were nil.
Major Attack
Between 1750 and 1800 hours seven formations crossed the coast between Dungeness and North Foreland, flying North West. These were followed by others until about 200 enemy aircraft in all were over the country. Twenty Squadrons were sent up, while others patrolled Hornchurch, North Weald, and Guildford. Combats do not appear to have been numerous and only one enemy aircraft is reported damaged.
North and East
Reconnaissance aircraft were reported off North East Scotland in the Castletown area, 20 miles South of Scapa, and East of Flamborough Head. In the afternoon the Royal Air Force Station at Waltham was attacked and suffered minor damage.
South East
At 0823 hours enemy aircraft attacked Weybridge and one of these is believed damaged. Later targets near Ramsgate and Rye were unsuccessfully attacked. Reconnaissance aircraft flew over the Hastings, Dungeness, Redhill and Tonbridge areas during the day. Attempts to intercept did not succeed.
South and West
Hostile aircraft reconnoitred Thorney Island, Tangmere, Kenley, Middle Wallop, Spithead and districts in South Wales. Of these two were destroyed, one near Tangmere and one in South Wales (plus one probable and four damaged).
By night
London Central received a RED warning at 2009 hours. A steady stream of enemy aircraft came from Holland and Le Havre. Those from Holland crossed the coast between Thames Orfordness and went to London from the North; those from Le Havre crossed the coast near Shoreham and went to London and then returned to the South. Later hostile raids continued to come from the direction of the Belgian Coast and later still from the direction of Le Havre and Dieppe entering between Beachy Head and Dungeness and covering South London, Biggin Hill and Kenley districts.
On the whole, it would seem that the enemy activity was not quite so intense as of late.
Just after dust East Anglia received a good deal of attention and some of the raiders flew down to the London area. Many enemy aircraft flew over the Bristol Channel and up over Wales to Liverpool which was given more notice than for some time past.
Minelaying was suspected in the Estuary also off the North-East coast of Yorkshire, in the Tyne area, possibly off the Firth of Forth and off the entrance to Stranraer. Raiders also visited the Lancashire Coast, North of the Tyne and the Midlands near Derby and Sheffield, and two raids were plotted off the Scottish Coast South of Aberdeen.
Four or five raids flew over two convoys North of the Tyne and it is reported that two aerial torpedoes were dropped.
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Statistics
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours, 21st September 1940
- Blenheim - 56
- Spitfire - 215
- Hurricane - 394
- Defiant - 27
- Gladiator - 8
- Total – 700
Casualties:
Enemy Losses By Fighters Destroyed Probable Damaged 1 Me109 1 Ju88 3 Ju88 1 Do215 1 Do215 1 Do215 1 Do17 2 1 6 - Own:
- Nil.
Patrols:
- Own
- During the night of 20th/21st September - 40 patrols involving 46 sorties.
- During the day of 21st September - 118 patrols involving 563 sorties.
- Enemy
- It is estimated that about 170 enemy aircraft operated over or near our coasts during the night 20th/21st September and 250 during the day of 21st September.
Balloons:
- No report.
Attacks on Aerodromes:
- Middle Wallop - not hit.
Organisation:
- One Flight of No 264 Squadron (Defiants) has moved to Luton.
Home Security Reports
- General Summary
- Date: 21th September 1940
- During the day Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Essex and the East End of London were indiscriminately bombed, but very little damage was done and few casualties reported.
- After dark London was again attacked and bombing seems to have been chiefly directed against the East End and the Dock areas where very serious fires have resulted.
- Liverpool and adjoining areas were also the scenes of bombing resulting in several fires.
- Detailed Summary
- RAF Stations
- Middle Wallop: HE bombs were dropped at 1429 and 1450 hours, but no damage was done to aircraft or aerodrome.
- Hunsdon: At 2310 hours HE were dropped but no damage has been reported.
- Hornchurch: An unexploded mine was reported on the land field of the aerodrome near the Southend Road, which has been closed to traffic.
- It is reported that an unexploded bomb was discovered in the Fairey Aviation Factory Aerodrome at Heath Row.
- London Area
- Grand Union Canal was bombed at 1030 hours on the 21st September and the explosion cracked the wall of Limehouse Cut and also damaged part of a warehouse. Navigation is therefore closed from the Thames to Britannia Bridge.
- Bethnel Green: Major damage is reported at Allen & Hanbury's. It is not possible to estimate when production will recommence as machinery is useless. It is hoped to re-open surgical instruments and appliances department on Monday.
- Poplar was bombed at 0016 hours on the 22nd September and it is reported that an 80 pump fire is in progress at Howard's Timber Yard.
- Lambeth: A serious fire occurred at 0040 hours on 22nd September at the South Metropolitan Gas Co, where it is reported that there are more than fifty casualties.
- West Ham: Fire was caused by a bombing attack at 0125 hours on 22nd September at J Rank's flour mills and also at the Corporation Electricity Supply.
- Shoreditch: It is reported that HE were dropped at 0207 hours on the 22nd September and one railway arch was completely demolished and a direct hit on the track attained. Forty yards of bank by Kingsland Road Bridge is reported to have fallen into the canal.
- Elsewhere
- Weybridge: The Hawker Aircraft Factory was bombed and machine-gunned at 0833 hours. The boiler house was hit and unexploded bombs are believed to be in the dope shop and main shop. The effect on production is small and only slight casualties are reported to have been caused.
- Hookwood (Near Horley): At 1140 hours an enemy aircraft dive-bombed the military camp. The store was set on fire. Fifteen casualties have so far been reported.
- Brentford: An unexploded bomb has been discovered on a shelter with a capacity for 350 people, 180 yards East of Simmons Aerocessories.
- Malden: Unexploded bombs are reported between Malden and Raynes Park Station, and consequently traffic has been suspended. HE have also been dropped on the Southern Railway West of Kingston-by-Pass.