4th September 1940 We Remember

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 4th 1940 THE CASUALTIES:

0915hrs: Channel 5m E of Folkestone. Hurricane R4172. 111 Squadron Croydon
F/L D.C.Bruce listed as missing. (Crashed into Channel after combat with Bf109)

0915hrs: Channel 5m E of Folkestone. Hurricane Z2309. 111 Squadron Croydon
P/O J.Macinski listed as missing. (Shot down by Bf109 and pilot baled out but body was never found)
[ The above is as recorded, but aircraft excavated at West Stourmouth is believed to be Hurricane Z2309 ]

1000hrs: Ashford. Spitfire N3048. 66 Squadron Kenley
Sgt A.D.Smith died of injuries 6.9.40 (Baled out with serious injuries after combat with enemy aircraft)

1000hrs: Banstead. Hurricane V6638. 253 Squadron Kenley
F/O A.A.G.Trueman killed. (Shot down over during combat action over Kenley aerodrome)

1315hrs: Hawkwell. Hurricane P3052. 46 Squadron Stapleford
F/O R.P.Plummer died of injuries 14.9.40 (Shot down in flames by Bf110. Pilot baled out with serious burns)

1330hrs: Maidstone. Spitfire X4278. 222 Squadron Hornchurch
P/O J.W.Cutts killed. (Shot down by Bf109. and aircraft crashed at Sutton Farm)
Originally listed as missing but body fragments discovered on excavation of crash site. Now listed as KIA

1335hrs: Yalding. Spitfire K9962. 222 Squadron Hornchurch
Sgt J.W.Ramshaw killed. (Crashed after combat with Bf109s. Was dead on arrival at West Kent Hospital)

1340hrs: Biggin Hill. Hurricane P3676. 79 Squadron Biggin Hill
Sgt J.Wright died of injuries 5.9.40. (Shot down by Bf110 over base. Pilot crash landed aircraft at Surbiton)

2130hrs: Kirton-in-Lindsay. Defiant N1628. 264 Squadron Kirton-in-Lindsay
F/O D.K.C.O’Malley killed
Sgt L.A.W.Rasmussen killed. (Aircraft crashed during night landing practice)

Unknown time: RAF Digby. Hurricane V7406. 151 Squadron Digby
P/O R.Ambrose killed. (Crashed into a crane during take off on ferry flight. A/C burnt out)

Unknown time: 25m S of Bognor. Spitfire R6909. 151 Squadron Warmwell
Sgt J.K.Barker killed. (Possibly shot down by Do17 over Channel. Body washed up on French coast)

Luftwaffe losses:
52 destroyed, 19 probables, 22 damaged.

RAF: 17 aircraft destroyed.

On the ground.
RAF. Nil.
Civilian. 67 killed, 330+ injured.

For more information on the actions of the day click the link below.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/bob1940/september4.html