BELGIUM, GERMANY, FRANCE
157 aircraft of all types to an oil depot at Antwerp (the biggest raid, by 43 Wellingtons), railway yards at Brussels and in Germany, and barges in the Channel ports. 2 Whitleys lost.
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12 Blenheims on sea and coastal sweeps but all bombing sorties abandoned because of too-clear weather. No losses.
This day saw the climax of the daylight phase of the Battle of Britain. The Luftwaffe lost 56 aircraft in air battles over England and, although it was not immediately known by the British, the German high command started to abandon their plans to invade England in 1940. There was, however, no immediate slackening in Bomber Command operations.
5. Briefing, believed to be at a Whitley station, on
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. These crews were dispatched to various railway targets in Germany and are being briefed by the Station Commander (with 1914-18 medal ribbons) and the Squadron Commander. Compare this relaxed, informal scene with the sombre briefing in photograph number 35 later in the war.
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CHANNEL PORTS, GERMANY
155 aircraft on widespread operations. The biggest effort was on the Channel ports; small raids made on many places in Germany. No losses.
Bomber Command's second Victoria Cross of the war was awarded for the actions of Sergeant John Hannah, the 18-year-old wireless operator in an 83 Squadron Hampden attacking invasion barges in docks at Antwerp. The Hampden was hit by Flak and set on fire. Sergeant Hannah could have baled out but stayed and was badly burned putting the fire out. The Hampden returned to its base.
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.
An original Pathfinder squadron.
85 SQUADRON
SERVICE
Came from Air Defence of Great Britain (Fighter Command) on
