Date: 29th October 1940
- Weather: Channel overcast. Haze in northern France and Dover Straits.
- Day: London and Southampton raided.
- Night: Heavy raids on London and the Midlands.
Enemy action by day
Enemy activity consisted of five main attacks in the South East, two attacks in the Portsmouth area and an attack at dusk on aerodromes in East Anglia, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. Hostile patrols were maintained in the Straits and Channel, and a number of reconnaissances of shipping were made.
During the day our fighters destroyed 27 enemy (plus 8 probable and 10 damaged). Our casualties were 7 aircraft, of which 5 pilots are safe.
South East
First Attack
At 1025 hours 15+ enemy aircraft crossed the Coast at Folkestone and split North of Maidstone, one part penetrating to West and North West London, the other flying to Central London. These aircraft returned over Kenley and recrossed the coast at Beachy Head and Deal.
Second Attack
At 1045 hours 9+ enemy aircraft crossed at Deal and swept over Manston, flying out along the Estuary.
Third Attack
At 1220 hours 2 raids of 30+ and 20+ crossed the Coast at Dungeness and Dover respectively. The former raid flew over Biggin Hill area to West London and then turned East, returning home via Rochester area. The other raid split near Canterbury, one part flying over the Isle of Sheppey to Hornchurch and the other part to Rochester, returning over Maidstone.
Fourth Attack
At 1255 hours, 12+ crossed near Dungeness and flew to Maidstone, where they turned and recrossed the Coast at Dungeness. While this raid was in progress 15+ flew over Dover and penetrated to Central London, returning over Dover at 1340 hours.
Fifth Attack
At 1255 hours, 12+ crossed near Dungeness and flew to Maidstone, where they turned and recrossed the Coast at Dungeness. While this raid was in progress 15+ flew over Dover and penetrated to Central London, returning over Dover at 1340 hours.
Portsmouth Area
First Attack
At 1430 hours, 50+ enemy aircraft approached the Isle of Wight, where they split, one part approaching Portsmouth, while the other part flew to Thorney Island area. All raids were returning to Le Havre at 1500 hours.
Second Attack
At 1700 hours, 30+ enemy aircraft off Selsey Bill turned to attack Portsmouth but were dispersed without penetrating inland.
Attack on Aerodromes in East Anglia, Lincolnshire & Yorkshire.
At 1740 hours, a number of raids showing strengths of 1+ to 3+ crossed the East Coast at various points, and approached aerodromes in East Anglia, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. About nine raids crossed between Orfordness and Southwold, and about twelve between the Wash and the Tees. Most of these raids were returning home by 1850 hours.
Patrols and Reconnaissances of Shipping
At 0830 hours, 2 enemy aircraft flew over a convoy near Selsey Bill, but turned away before fighters from Tangmere could intercept.
Small patrols were maintained in the Straits and Channel between 0900 and 1300 hours, but strengths of up to 30+ were plotted between 1700 and 1800 hours.
A convoy off Dover was visited by enemy aircraft at 0945 and 1025 hours.
Between 1515 and 1540 hours, 2 convoys in the Thames Estuary were shadowed, and one of them asked for help at 1640 hours.
At 1735 hours, a convoy off Lowestoft is reported to have been attacked.
Night Operations - 29th/30th October 1940
Enemy activity was on a reduced scale, but a larger proportion of raids visited the Midlands, where the Birmingham/Coventry area was the main target. London received less raids than usual but activity was widespread over the Home Counties. The majority of raids appeared to originate from the French Coast.
1900 Hours to 2100 Hours
Many raids in South East England turned back before reaching the Inner Artillery Zone. Raids from Seine and Cherbourg areas penetrated to the Midlands and concentrated on Birmingham and Coventry areas; a few were plotted over Liverpool. Four raids crossed the Country from Flamborough Head to Barrow area. Minelaying was suspected in the Thames Estuary.
2100 Hours to 0100 Hours 30/10/40
Raids from Cherbourg and Channel Islands continued the attack on Birmingham and Coventry. Plots also appeared over Oxford and Reading areas. Activity in the South East continued to be widespread over the Home Counties. Minelaying was suspected between the Forth and Hartlepool.
0100 Hours to 0600 Hours
Isolated raids continued to visit the London and Coventry areas, but at 0450 hours London was given the "All Clear" and the only raid over the Country was returning home from the Midlands.
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Statistics
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours, 29th October 1940
- Blenheim - 40
- Spitfire - 211
- Hurricane - 403
- Defiant - 13
- Gladiator - 8
- Total - 675
Casualties:
Enemy Losses By Fighters – By Day Destroyed Probable Damaged 22 Me109 6 Me109 8 Me109 3 Me110 1 Me110 1 Me110 2 Do17 1 He111 1 Ju88 27 8 10 - Own:
- 7 aircraft with two pilots killed. Of these, 2 aircraft were destroyed and one pilot killed by bombs when taking off from North Weald aerodrome.
Patrols:
- Own
- During the night of 28th / 29th October - 20 patrols involving 20 sorties.
- During the day of 29th October - 148 patrols involving 649 sorties.
- Enemy
- It is estimated that about 460 enemy aircraft operated over or near our coasts during the day of 29th October.
Balloons:
- No report.
Serviceability of Aerodromes:
- Skitten is unserviceable.
- North Weald unserviceable by night 29th/30th October; serviceable by day with caution.
- Lossiemouth serviceable only with extreme caution when landing on North East corner.
Organisation:
- No 66 Squadron from Gravesend to West Malling.
Home Security Reports
- General Summary
- Date: 29th October 1940
- During the day between 400 and 500 enemy aircraft took part in six attacks on this country. Two raids were directed against Portsmouth area, the remainder having London as their objective.
- Some of the attackers succeeded in reaching the London area, but the resultant damage and casualties appear to have been slight.
- Night activity commenced at about 1850 hours and was widespread over London and the Home Counties. The Midlands, East Anglia and Yorkshire were the other principal areas visited.
- Detailed Summary
- RAF Stations 27th October 1940
- North Coates: At 1750 hours the Aerodrome received a machine-gunning attack by three low flying enemy aircraft, but no serious damage is reported.
- Norwich: The Maintenance Unit was bombed at 1755 hours and one hangar was partly destroyed, the Stores also being damaged.
- West Raynham: An attack was made at 1815 hours by six aircraft believed to be Junkers 88, and bombs were dropped ranging from 50 kilos to 250 kilos. Eight aircraft were damaged, but are capable of being repaired, and a hangar was also damaged. Other buildings received damage and the Aerodrome was rendered unserviceable.
- RAF Stations 29th October 1940
- Heston: at 0300 hours bombs were dropped causing extensive damage to works and buildings, also gas an water mains and telephone communications.
- Wattisham: Approximately 12 bombs were dropped at 1800 hours, causing damage to one aircraft, motor transport and equipment section, the hospital and other buildings.
- Leeming: At 1805 hours a large number of apparently light calibre HE bombs were dropped on and around the Aerodrome. No damage is reported.
- Newmarket: HE bombs were dropped and a machine-gunning attack took place at 1800 hours on the Aerodrome and also the town. The only casualties and damage so far reported appears to have taken place in the town.
- Honington: It is reported by the Police that the Aerodrome was bombed at about 1830 hours.
- North Weald: The aerodrome was dive-bombed by Me109s at 1645 hours, but the damage appears to be not extensive, although one bomb fell on one of the runways running East and West. Aerodrome unserviceable by night.
- Matlask: An attack took place by three enemy bombers at 1810 hours, when the Aerodrome was bombed and machine-gunned from 50 feet. Hits were superficially damaged and the casualties amounted to 5 Civilians and 1 Soldier.
- West Raynham: At 1810 hours the Aerodrome was again attacked by four enemy aircraft, and as far as can be ascertained no damage was caused, but the Aerodrome is still unserviceable.
- Linton on Ouse: One enemy aircraft, believed to be a Ju88 made an attack on the Aerodrome at 1805 hours, but the damage is reported as being practically nil.
- Naval Stations 28th October 1940
- Aberdeen: It is reported from the Naval Base, and their opinion is shared by Dyce, the two objects which exploded were acoustic mines which exploded at 40-50 feet above the water, causing a terrific flash of light and blast.
- Naval Stations 29th October 1940
- Coventry: At 2003 hours a large number of incendiary bombs, some of which caused a fire at Royal Naval Ordnance Store, were dropped.
- Army Stations 28th October 1940
- Beacon Hill Camp: At 1123 hours one high explosive bomb was dropped.
- Army Stations 29th October 1940
- Deal: At 1640 hours three HE bombs were dropped in the barracks, the casualties being 1 Officer and 7 other ranks killed, 6 Officers and 6 other ranks wounded.
- Major Damage 29th October 1940
- Coventry
- Fires are reported at several industrial works including Messrs Humber Ltd and also the Isolation Hospital.
- Portsmouth
- An attack took place at 1750 hours, causing 39 casualties, including 3 killed. Four shops were demolished and 50 houses badly damaged, also one high explosive bomb fell on the railway, demolishing ten wagons. Two new wings of the works of Messrs Evans & Sons were seriously damaged.
- Dover
- Bombs were dropped at 1635 hours when two shops were demolished and 31 houses damaged, and the railway track between Dover and Canterbury.
- London
- A severe fire was caused at the works of Messrs Wrays Optical Works Ltd by incendiary bombs which were dropped at 1940 hours. The centre part of the factory was completely gutted, the whole of the factory heating system is damaged, the boilers probably being destroyed, and the store containing all raw materials for glass work was burnt out. Production will be seriously curtailed.
- Other Incidents
- A new type of bomb made of brass 2¾ inches long and 2 inches in diameter was dropped by aircraft on night of 28th October.