Mysticpuma
February 13, 2016 at 3:30 pm

What was the largest luftwaffe formation in one raid during the Battle of Britain?

I read:

“On Sunday, 15 September 1940, the Luftwaffe launched its largest and most concentrated attack against London in the hope of drawing out the RAF into a battle of annihilation. Around 1,500 aircraft took part in the air battles which lasted until dusk. The action was the climax of the Battle of Britain.”

During that day was there one particular action that contained the largest single formation of enemy attackers? I am interested if there is somewhere I could read about it with details of the time it occurred and the Allied response, also if there are details of the units involved from both sides?

Thanks for any help, cheers.

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By: Creaking Door - 14th February 2016 at 19:26

‘The Hardest Day’ by the same author, about the 18th August 1940, is an even better book, in my opinion, and details the day during the Battle-of-Britain when both sides suffered the highest losses. Smaller individual formations than the 15th September 1940 probably, but a similar number of aircraft involved, and a more interesting mix of tactics and aircraft (low-level and Stukas).

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By: Mysticpuma - 14th February 2016 at 14:21

Thanks for your replies they are very much appreciated…..and I’ve ordered the book too 🙂

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By: Graham Boak - 13th February 2016 at 17:35

It might be worth checking on 15th August, too.

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By: Arabella-Cox - 13th February 2016 at 17:01

By my calculations, one raid at around 2pm on 15 September totalled 414 aircraft. It would probably be wrong to suggest they were all one ‘formation’ though.

Without going through all the other individual unit figures for that day, I’m fairly sure that was the largest on 15 September 1940.

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By: Creaking Door - 13th February 2016 at 16:30

I would get hold of a copy of ‘Battle of Britain Day’ by Dr Alfred Price; it lists all the formations involved, the numbers, often down to individual aircraft, and, crucially, details every individual aircraft lost by both sides on 15th September 1940.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Battle-of-Britain-Day-15-September-1940-Green-Price-Dr-Alfred-Paperback-/391367111569?hash=item5b1f4c3391:g:IvAAAOSwhkRWc9oj

I’ll see if I can find my copy but I fear it is in a cardboard box somewhere.