Date: 23rd September 1940 
- Weather: Fine.
- Day: Fighter sweeps towards London.
- Night: Attacks on London and Merseyside.
Enemy action by day
A major attack by some 200 enemy aircraft developed over East Kent, the Estuary and South Essex at 0930 hours. It was broken up by Fighters and the London area was not penetrated.
At about 1730 hours a second attack of lesser importance and covering a more restricted area, involving about 100 enemy aircraft, took place in East Kent.
Reconnaissance activity was on a minor scale and was confined to the East Anglian Coast and Southwards to Cornwall.
During the day's operations 11 enemy aircraft were destroyed (plus 6 probable and 6 damaged). In addition AA guns at Dover claim 1 probable and 1 damaged. Our losses amounted to 11 aircraft and 3 pilots killed or missing.
East Coast
Between 1030 and 1300 hours reconnaissance flights were made off the East Anglian Coast.
South East Coast
Between 0600 and 0900 hours three reconnaissances were made in the North Foreland - Dungeness area.
At 0926 hours a formation numbering 100 enemy aircraft crossed the coast at Dover. This was joined at 0941 by 3 other raids totalling 80 enemy aircraft.
At 0935 hours a section of 9 aircraft detached itself from the main body and flew West along the South Coast to Hastings.
The remainder spread out from Dover towards Maidstone and over the Estuary into Essex.
At about 1015 hours a formation of 12 enemy aircraft came out from Dunkirk heading for the North Foreland but turned South West joining other enemy aircraft leaving Rye. None of the above raids entered the London area. Twenty-four Fighter Squadrons were detailed to the attack and casualties were inflicted.
At 1330 hours an Anson spotting for big guns firing from Dover and escorted by two Spitfires, was attacked by 9 Me109s. The Anson was compelled to land, but the fighters shot down one Me109 and damaged another.
At 1730 hours 40 enemy aircraft flew to the North Foreland, turned into the Estuary, crossed inland at Sheppey and flew South to Rye. At about the same time 55 aircraft crossed the coast between Folkestone and Dover.
The attack lasted for only a short time and was confined to the area East of a line Sheppey - Rye.
Twelve Fighter Squadrons were detailed to the attack, but no casualties on either side were reported.
At 1930 hours two raids by single aircraft flew to Northolt from Beachy Head, recrossing the coast at Shoreham.
South Coast
Between 0900 and 1030 hours four tracks were plotted in the Devon - Cornwall area flying North.
At 1300 hours reconnaissances were made in the Isle of Wight area Eastwards, including a single aircraft reported to have been active in the Beachy Head area.
At 1605 hours a reconnaissance by one aircraft was made over Portsmouth.
Channel and Straits
In the early morning and again between 1300 and 1700 hours considerable activity took place off the French Coast and as far North as the Dutch Islands.
By night
At 1945 the usual stream of enemy aircraft started from East of Baie De la Seine area, crossing coast at Beachy Head. At the same time a number of enemy tracks also appeared from the direction of Antwerp, crossing coast at Harwich and spreading out inland towards Bury St Edmunds where they turned South West towards London area.
From 2100 - 2300 hours intense hostile activity continued from the French, Belgian and Dutch Coasts. During this period, 10 raids originated from Cherbourg, 22 from Le Havre and 10 from Dieppe, all crossing the coast between Beachy Head and Selsey Bill, and converging on West and Central London via Kenley and Biggin Hill.
From the Belgian coast about 10 raids and from Antwerp area 12 raids originated, mostly entering North of Harwich and spreading over most of East Anglia, penetrating to Digby, Duxford, East and North London.
After 2300 hours there was a lull in raids originating from Belgium but others began to come across from Holland, the tracks being intermingled with our returning bombers. One raid is reported to have attacked Newmarket. Activity from the French Coast also decreased in intensity, but a constant stream was maintained from this direction.
About 2030 hours there were about 6 raids in the Liverpool area.
Subsequently isolated raids visited this area and also the Midlands, including one or two as far as Preston.
Only minor activity occurred in South Wales and the West Country.
Minelaying from Humber to Firth of Forth is suspected.
By 0345 hours only one raid remained in the London area, and a few between London and the South Coast.
Elsewhere activity had almost ceased.
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Statistics
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours, 23rd September 1940
- Blenheim - 60
- Spitfire - 237
- Hurricane - 401
- Defiant - 18
- Gladiator - 7
- Total – 723
Casualties:
Enemy Losses By Fighters Destroyed Probable Damaged 10 Me109 6 Me109 5 Me109 1 Me110 1 Potez 11 6 6 By Anti-Aircraft 1 Me109 Nil 1 Nil
In addition an He111 is reported down near Chobham during the night: crew baled out. - Own:
- 11 aircraft with 3 pilots missing.
Patrols:
- Own
- During the night of 22nd/23rd September - 46 patrols involving 50 sorties.
- During the day of 23rd September - 116 patrols involving 710 sorties.
- Enemy
- It is estimated that about 200 enemy aircraft operated over or near our coasts during the night 22nd/23rd September and 300 during the day of 23rd September.
Balloons:
- No report.
Attacks on Aerodromes:
- No report.
Organisation:
- No 312 (Czech) Squadron (Hurricanes) becomes operational at Duxford.
Home Security Reports
- General Summary
- Date: 23rd September 1940
- Enemy activity during the day was confined chiefly to the South East Coast. Attempts were made to reach the Capital but enemy aircraft were driven off without dropping any bombs.
- After dark widespread attacks and indiscriminate bombing were again resumed, with London as the chief objective. However, it also appears that Surrey received rather more attention than is usual.
- Detailed Summary
- RAF Stations
- The following were attacked but little or no damage has been reported: Feltwell, Oulton, Methwold, Redhill and Northolt.
- It is also believed that Hornchurch was bombed, but communications have temporarily broken down and no details can be obtained.
- London Area
- Wandsworth: At 2107 hours the Stevenage Wharf was hit and it is reported that petrol is leaking into the river from tanks of the National Benzol Co. During a later attack HE were dropped on Wandsworth Common Station, resulting in a complete blockage of the London - Brighton line.
- Walthamstow: The Mills Equipment Co was hit again at 2230 hours. A fire completely gutted the ARP Transport Store and Garage, at Lowhall Farm, but all the vehicles were saved.
- Note: before this attack on Mills Equipment Co it is reported that "Nos 3 and 4 Factories cannot continue production. However, Nos 1 and 2 factories hope to recommence production in a few days."
- Poplar: At 2325 hours Clarnico's Factory was set on fire and it is reported that approximately 100 people are believed trapped in a shelter under the Factory.
- West Ham: At 0007 hours on the 24th, serious fires were caused at LNER running shed, and at various factories (including Dextrine Ltd.) and at Upton Lane School.
- Stepney: It was reported that at 0300 hours on the 24th a direct hit was registered on the Mile End Road Underground Station.
- Further bombings are reported at Chelsea, Islington, Hackney, Stratford, Camberwell, Hornsey, Ilford, Hendon, Finchley, Willesden and Surbiton.
- Elsewhere
- Eastbourne: Twenty eight HE were dropped at 1150 hours and 24 casualties have so far been reported. Damage to gas and water mains are believed to be extensive.
- Hastings, Bexhill and Seaford were also attacked, but casualties were few and damage confined to property.
- Salfords (Near Redhill): At 2209 hours an oil bomb caused a fire at the Monotype Factory, considerably damaging records but production will not be affected.
- Hertford: It is reported that a mine exploded at 2119 hours demolishing three houses and causing approximately 30 casualties.