Weather conditions initially restricted the Luftwaffe’s ability to attack but there were sorties by single aircraft, particularly against ships in the Channel and the Thames estuary.

Another 109 fell to the guns of No 603 Squadron’s Flying Officer “Sheep” Gilroy. Unteroffizier Gonschorrek took to his parachute and was captured, slightly wounded. His aircraft crashed near to London Road, Maidstone.

More significant operations were launched in the afternoon when waves of aircraft headed for London. Bombs were dropped in many areas at night.

One of the more familiar photographs of the Blitz was taken at about this time. It showed a postman, wearing a tin hat and carrying a gas mask, attempting to deliver mail to a bombed house in London. More damaged houses and shops can be seen in the background.

A Bf 109 was shot down by RAF fighters and crashed near Hythe, Kent. In 1973 the site was excavated and the remains recovered of Leutnant Werner Knittel, who had been a Gruppe Adjutant, aged 39. He was laid to rest at the Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery in Staffordshire.