The bombers returned to Thameshaven and to many other targets. No 303, one of the two Polish Hurricane squadrons in the Battle of Britain, found itself in a desperate fight over Kent and suffered casualties. They included Squadron Leader Krasnodebski, who baled out badly burned, Squadron Leader “Boozy” Kellett, who forced-landed at Biggin Hill wounded in one leg, and the Canadian, Flight Lieutenant Johnny Kent (“Kentowski” to his Polish comrades), who forced-landed, wounded, at Northolt where the squadron was based.

Francis Mason in his book, Battle over Britain, suggested that the Germans had learned to identify No 303 Squadron and its call sign in the air from the Polish accents and were broadcasting false messages, such as: “All Apany aircraft to pancake” “Apany” being the 303 call sign and “pancake” RAF jargon for an order to land.

One of the high scoring Spitfire pilots of the Battle of Britain, Pilot Officer “Ben” Bennions of No 41 Squadron, added to his tally in the early evening when a Bf 109 he was attacking exploded over the mouth of the River Medway. Unteroffizier Hempel was killed. This was one of two 109s destroyed today by the former aircraft apprentice.