Raids on targets in Kent and London were the basis of the Luftwaffe’s operations.

Reilley was downed by the German ace Major Werner Moelders, one of the Luftwaffe pilots who had gained combat experience in the Spanish Civil War. Moelders would be killed in a landing crash while flying as a passenger in 1941.

As the nature of the German threat changed, further detailed instructions were issued by Keith Park as to how No 11 Group should react.

In the middle of the afternoon a Spitfire was shot down over Westerham and crashed at Crockham Hill. Pilot Officer Hugh Reilley of No 66 Squadron, a Canadian, was killed. He died five days after his friend Pilot Officer Herbert Case of No 72 Squadron.

Shortly before their deaths the pair had spent leave together at the Case family home in Somerset.