28th August 1940 We Remember

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 28th 1940 THE CASUALTIES:

0855hrs: N of Ashford. Defiant N1574. 264 Squadron Hornchurch
P/O D.Whitley killed.
Sgt. R.C.Turner killed. (Shot down by Bf109 during combat)

0855hrs: Thanet (Kent). Defiant L7026. 264 Squadron Hornchurch
P/O P.L.Kenner killed.
P/O C.E.Johnson killed. (Shot down by Bf109 during combat)

0920hrs: Faversham (Kent). Defiant L7021. 264 Squadron Hornchurch
F/L R.C.V.Ash killed. (Shot down by Bf109 and crashed in flames. Pilot baled out unhurt)

1645hrs: Dover. Spitfire R6751. 603 Squadron Hornchurch
F/L J.L.G.Cunningham listed as missing. (Failed to return to base. Possibly shot down into sea)

1645hrs: Dover. Spitfire L1046. 603 Squadron Hornchurch
P/O D.K.MacDonald listed as missing. (Failed to return to base. Possibly shot down into sea)

1700hrs: Dover. Spitfire P9511. 610 Squadron Biggin Hill
P/O K.H.Cox killed. (Shot down by Bf109 and crashed into a house in village outside Dover)

2030hrs: Tenderten (Kent). Spitfire N3105. 603 Squadron Hornchurch
P/O N.J.B.Benson killed. (Shot down by Bf109 and crashed in flames)

Luftwaffe losses:
28 destroyed, 14 probables, 10 damaged.

RAF losses: 20 aircraft.

On the ground.
RAF: 0 killed, 5 injured.
Civilian: 37 killed, 78 injured.

“There was only one way of getting to the bombers without getting mixed up with the fighter escort. “Stand by for head on attack and watch out for those little fellows above,” I called. Then I brought the squadron round steadily in a wide turn, moving it into echelon as we leveled out about two miles ahead on a collision course.
Ease the throttle to reduce the closing speed – which anyway allowed only a few seconds’ fire. Get a bead on them right away, hold it, and never mind the streams of tracer darting overhead. Just keep on pressing the button until you think your going to collide – then stick hard forward. Under the shock of ‘negative G” your stomach jumps into your mouth, dust and muck fly up from the cockpit floor into your eyes and your head cracks on the roof as you break away below.”

S/L P.W.Townsend 85 Squadron R.A.F.

“It was while we were at Dover, that we saw the approaching German bombers and just a short distance away they were met by British fighters. Mr Churchill seemed mesmerized as the air battle took place almost overhead. We saw maybe two German bombers crash into the sea and some fighters with smoke trailing from them as they spiraled away from the main dogfight.
Later that afternoon, we had to drive to Ramsgate and on the way we saw a smoldering aircraft in a field, and Churchill asked the driver to pull off the road and get as close to the wreckage as he could. There was firemen, soldiers and ARP men standing around and I walked with the Prime Minister towards the aircraft. Even though I warned Mr Churchill about the dangers of being out in the open during an air raid, he said that he must have a look, and when he saw the tangled mess he said ‘Dear God, I hope it isn’t a British plane.’ He was reassured that it was not.”

War Office spokesman. (Later thought to be Inspector W.Thompson, Churchill’s bodyguard)

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

http://www.raf.mod.uk/bob1940/august28.html