Date: 30th October 1940
- Weather: Low cloud and continuous drizzle in all regions.
- Day: Nuisance raids on a reduced scale.
- Night: Activity reduced.
Enemy action by day
The enemy made two fighter sweeps over South East England, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. A few single reconnaissance aircraft were reported in other parts of the Country.
Our fighters destroyed 9 enemy aircraft (plus 8 probable and 7 damaged), and our losses were 5 aircraft and 4 pilots killed or missing.
First Attack - 1130-1245 Hours
It is estimated that about 150 aircraft operated in three waves. In the first wave about 60 aircraft came in over North Foreland to Shoeburyness, where they turned South and flew out over Kent. This was followed by a second wave of about 40 aircraft which turned south over North Foreland and passed out over Hawkinge. A third wave crossed the Coast at Hastings but turned back at Ashford. Some bombs were dropped in Kent by these raids. Ten bombs were dropped in Kent by these raids. Ten Squadrons of 11 Group were sent up, of which 6 sighted the enemy; three Squadrons intercepted and destroyed 3 enemy aircraft (plus one probable and 6 damaged).
Second Attack - 1540-1650 Hours
This attack was divided into two phases. In the first about 80 enemy aircraft approached Maidstone of which 40 continued North West to South East London, where a few bombs were dropped; these latter aircraft were then intercepted and split up by two of our Squadrons. In the second phase five small formations totalling about 50 aircraft crossed the Coast between Dover and Beachy Head, and one formation of 12 reached Harwich. Several of these formations were intercepted and quickly retired. In all, ten Squadrons were detailed to meet these raids and 5 enemy aircraft were destroyed (plus 7 probable and one damaged). 12 Group were grounded on account of bad weather conditions.
Reconnaissances
During the morning the usual reconnaissances were reported in the Straits and Channel. In the afternoon single aircraft were plotted off Exeter, Portland and in the Firth of Forth. Attempts to intercept these aircraft were not successful. One He111, which dropped bombs near Skegness, was destroyed.
Night Operations - 30th/31st October 1940
During the early evening London and the South East Counties were the recipients of a major attack, with minor raids in the Midlands; whilst in marked contrast, the remainder of the night passed comparatively quietly, activity at times sinking to zero. The "All Clear" was sounded in Central London at 0337 hours.
1830 Hours to 2100 Hours
Enemy activity began with the converging on London district of approximately 60 raids from the usual sources. Only a remarkably small proportion penetrated to Central London area, however, and the major activity was over South Eastern Counties.
Approximately 4 raids made landfall in Portsmouth district and proceeded to Nottingham/Sheffield areas, returning via London.
Minelaying is suspected off North Foreland, the Estuary and Harwich; 12 raids in all.
By 2100 hours, hostile activity was decreasing rapidly.
2100 Hours to 0100 Hours 31/10/40
During this period Midlands area continued to receive some attention.
About 20 sporadic raids from the Somme/Dieppe area visited the environs of the Capital and the South East Counties, only odd ones penetrating to Central London. A few of these raids continued North to the Duxford/Debden areas. All returned on approximately reciprocal courses.
A few minelaying raids flew into the Estuary, ex Belgian and Dutch Coasts.
0100 Hours to 0600 Hours
Activity declined to practically nothing by 0100 hours, and by 0400 hours the Country was clear of raids.
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Statistics
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours, 30th October 1940
- Blenheim - 39
- Spitfire - 213
- Hurricane - 391
- Defiant - 11
- Gladiator - 8
- Total - 662
Casualties:
Enemy Losses By Fighter – By Day Destroyed Probable Damaged 8 Me109 8 Me109 7 Me109 1 He111 9 9 7 - Own:
- 5 aircraft with 4 pilots killed or missing.
Patrols:
- Own
- During the night of 29th / 30th October - 44 patrols involving 45 sorties.
- During the day of 30th October - 91 patrols involving 533 sorties.
- Enemy
- It is estimated that about 300 enemy aircraft operated over or near our coasts during the day of 30th October.
Balloons:
- No report.
Serviceability of Aerodromes:
- No report.
Organisation:
- No report.
Air Intelligence:
- Further reports have been received of complaints about the ineffectiveness of the German AA defences. A joke current in Berlin is:- "A prisoner condemned to death was asked to choose the method of his execution. He requested that is should be by an AA gunner." (Source: Home Office)
Home Security Reports
- General Summary
- Date: 30th October 1940
- Enemy raids during the day have been on a small scale and little serious damage has been reported. A few bombs were dropped on the outskirts of South East London, but Kent and Sussex have been the chief victims of the enemy, especially the former county. The Farington Steelworks in Lancashire also received a visit, whilst the Armstrong-Siddeley and Humber Works in Coventry were both machine-gunned.
- During the evening the enemy concentrated on London, but a few minor raids are reported from the Midlands. There was, however, very little activity and London received the "All Clear" signal at 0337 hours.
- Detailed Summary
- RAF Stations 29th October 1940
- Feltwell (Norfolk): Aerodrome was subject to attacks by the enemy in three waves, at 1801, 1812 and 1818 hours. One hangar of No 75 Squadron was hit and one aircraft set on fire, but this was quickly extinguished. Some damage was done to the structure and several craters were created, and it is understood that one enemy aircraft was shot down.
- Bagington (Warwickshire): Was attacked at 1955 hours. Parachute flares were seen which were followed by showers of IB which were quickly dealt with. About eight HE bombs were dropped at random outside the aerodrome limits and no material damage was done.
- Wattisham (Suffolk): During the day a number of new type small bombs were found in fields near the aerodrome.
- Abridge (Essex): An HE was dropped three quarters of a mile North of the aerodrome. This time is not known.
- RAF Stations 30th October 1940
- North Weald (Essex): An oil bomb was dropped at 1940 hours near the aerodrome, but no damage has been reported.
- Army Stations 30th October 1940
- Islington: At 2037 hours 5 HE dropped on the Kings Royal Rifle Drill Hall but the extent of the damage is not yet known.
- Major Damage 29th October 1940
- Battersea
- At 1930 hours an AA shell burst at the Projectile and Engineering Co and damage was done to the roof, electric cables and air compressor, but production is not in any way affected.
- Major Damage 30th October 1940
- Leyland (Lancs)
- At 1352 hours 2 UXBs fell in Farington Steelworks near Leyland, which has caused the building to be temporarily evacuated.
- Stepney
- An HE destroyed a new five-storey block of flats at 1955 hours. Fortunately most of the tenants were in public shelters and consequently casualties were small.
- Other Incidents 29th October 1940
- Gatwick
- A number of bombs fell on the railway track between the Racecourse and the Airport Station at 1929 hours. Traffic was temporarily suspended whilst an examination of the damage sustained was carried out, details of which are not yet available.
- Speke
- As the result of an IB some fires were caused at 2100 hours at the railway sidings at Speke Station, but the amount of the damage caused is not yet known.
- Other Incidents 30th October 1940
- Hythe, Margate and Coventry have all been machine-gunned by enemy aircraft, and at the last mentioned town the Armstrong-Siddeley and Humber works were the chief victims of the attack.
- Reports have been received concerning small objects about the size of a Mills bomb, possibly with wire attached, being dropped by enemy aircraft. The public are warned not to handle such objects which may be dangerous, but such matters should be reported immediately to the Police or Wardens.