At Eastchurch five Coastal Command Blenheims of 32 Sqn, 266 Sqn's ammunition and one of their Spitfires - on loan to CC - were destroyed. There is as direct hit on the Operations Room. 12 people are killed and 40 injured. There are 50 bomb craters on the field.
As the raiders made for home 111 and 151 Sqns attacked them, downing five and damaging several more. Involved in this action was Flt/Lt R.L. Smith of 151 Sqn in the first experimental Hurricane armed with 20mm cannon (L1750) who claimed one kill and one damaged.
| DATE | (C) | 13th August |
|---|---|---|
| FLIGHT & SQN & SECTION | (D) | ??? 151 - Blue One |
| No of E/A and Type | (E & F) | Fifty Plus - Dorner 215s & 17s |
| Time of attack | (G) | 06.45 |
| Place " " | (H) | 15 miles ENE of Manston |
| Height of Enemy | (J) | 8,000 ft approx |
| Enemy Casualties (and classification) | (K) | One Dornier 215 (caught fire) confirmed by Sgt Clarke |
| Our Casualties (A/C) | (L) | Nil |
| (Pilots) | (M) | |
| Fire from fighters estimated | (P) | 2 Cannons only Range opened 300yds Length of Burst 4secs Range Closed 100yds No. of rounds Unknown |
| General Report | (R) | |
|
I was leading three sections of 151 Squadron (Blue, Yellow, Green) - the C.O & Reds having been separated coming through the clouds from Rochford due to the turning to get into the patrol, which was was ordered for 12 miles South of Manston. The clouds were from 3000 to 5000 ft, with continuous layers everywhere, with a small gap R.L.Smith F/Lt. |
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Taken from AIR 50/63/98 which is a low quality scan of a handwritten report that in places is hard to decipher.
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