Manston attacked on ‘The Hardest Day’, 18th August 1940
“The Hardest Day”
It would be described later as “The Hardest Day” but although Manston escaped most of what the Luftwaffe would today throw at the RAF, it still was the subject of an attack by Messerschmitt Bf 109s. Maybe the Luftwaffe believed that their attacks in previous days by their bombers had left little behind suitable for a bombing attack and indeed other airfields such as Kenley were subject to severe attacks. The air battles that day were amongst the largest aerial engagements in history at that time and both sides suffered very heavy losses.
The Luftwaffe had been ordered to destroy Fighter Command before the planned invasion of Britain could take place. Manston was hit by the first wave of this assault on 12th August 1940 https://www.manstonhistory.org.uk/manston-takes-the-full-force-of-luftwaffe-attack-against-airfields-12th-august-1940/
On 17th August, German intelligence suggested that the RAF was down to just 300 serviceable fighters, formed from reports of German pilots’ claims and estimates of British production capabilities. In reality there were 855 aircraft serviceable, 289 at storage units and 84 at training units. The Luftwaffe expected a weakened opposition when in fact fighter numbers were twice as many in number as at the beginning of July 1940.
The largest attacks were against the main fighter sector bases from which operations were controlled, but German intelligence only identified them as the largest ones known to be operating fighters. The targets were the airfields at Kenley, Biggin Hill, Gosport, Ford, Thorney Island, Hornchurch and North Weald and the radar station at Poling.
Fighters from Manston were involved in defending against the attackers’ 850 sorties, involving 2200 Luftwaffe aircrew.
In the early morning, German incursions began by sea and air for weather reconnaissance.
Multiple Patrols by No.54 Squadron and the first casualties of the day
At 0825 hrs, Squadron Leader ‘Prof’ Leathart led 12 aircraft of No.54 Squadron from Hornchurch to their forward base at Manston, arriving at 0845 hrs. They would take off for their first patrol from Manston at 0930 hrs, landing back at 0945 hrs.
A great day! In 4 sorties, the Squadron bore the brunt of the Station’s thrust against the enemy.
No.54 Squadron ORB (Form 540 - Summary) - Hornchurch - ExtractAt 1054 hrs, the dozen No.54 Squadron Spitfires were scrambled ‘to investigate unidentified aircraft flying at 25,000 feet north-east of aerodrome. Five of the pilots climbed to 25,000 feet and saw machine 8,000 feet above them. They engaged this machine, identified as an Me 110’ (ORB) which was from 7(F)/LG2 on a reconnaissance sortie over the Thames Estuary.
Flight Lieutenant George Gribble and Pilot Officer Colin Gray would be the first to attack, Gray temporarily setting both engines ablaze and Gribble ‘holing the fuselage’.
Next, Flight Sergeant Phillip Tew attacked, with the Bf 110’s engine again catching fire whilst the aircraft dived steeply for France. Pilot Officer William Hopkin was fourth into the attack, knocking pieces of the stricken enemy aircraft and finally Sergeant John Norwell opened fire at sea-level, pulling out of his dive ‘only a very few feet above the water’. The Bf 110 was last seen ‘fully ablaze’ but was not seen to crash into the water. It was shared between the pilots who engaged and accredited as destroyed.
09.28 & 10.54: A 20 minute “warning up” over Manston was followed by the leisurely shooting down of an Me 110 which descended from 31,000 feet to sea level rather more rapidly than it could have originally intended. P/O Gray, F/Lt Gribble, F/Sgt. Tew, P/O Hopkin and Sgt. Norwell participated in this air to air firing practice.
No.54 Squadron ORB (Form 540 - Summary) - Hornchurch - ExtractThe Bf 110 was crewed by Oblt. Arnold Werdin, aged 26 and Oberfw. Johann Knopf, also 26. Werdin would not be officially listed as missing in action until 1st August 1944, but Oberfw. Johann Knopf was killed and his body washed ashore on the 24th August 1940, 4 km east of Grand Fort Philipp, France. He is buried in Bourdon German War Cemetery, Bourdon, Departement de la Somme, Picardie, France.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/210623425/johann-knopf
They were the first victims of what the late British historian Dr Alfred Price famously called ‘The Hardest Day’.
No.54 Squadron would land from the patrol between 1135 and 1150hrs, taking off again at 1240hrs.
12.40: By this time the first big attack of the day had developed. At least 600 enemy aircraft – and probably a good many more - were plotted all over Kent. The Squadron was unable to approach the main formation but dealt satisfactorily with a large number of stragglers. The following enemy casualties were claimed:-
S/Leader Leathart – 1 He 113 (probable) 1 Me 109 (damaged)
F/Officer McMullen – 1 He 113 (damaged) 1 Do 17 (?215) (damaged). This pilot also split up a formation of 12 He 113.s
P/Officer Matthews – 1 Me 109 (probable).
F/Lt. Gribble – 1 Me 109 (destroyed).
P/O Gray – 1 Do 215 (damaged).
F/Sgt. Tew – 1 Me 109 (destroyed). Tew had the good fortune to secure this enemy casualty without firing a shot. Enemy aircraft was pursuing him and Tew pulled out at a low altitude and the 109 failed to follow and crashed straight into the ground.
P/Officer Campbell – 1 Me 109 (destroyed) 1 Do 17 (damaged). These achievements were gained without loss – either of pilots or aircraft.
No.54 Squadron ORB (Form 540 - Summary) - Hornchurch - ExtractFour No.54 Squadron aircraft would land back at Hornchurch, P/O. Edsall in L1042 at 1325 hrs, P/O Matthews in X4108 and P/O Campbell in R7017 at 1340 hrs and finally F/O McMullen in R6973 at 1355 hrs. F/Lt Gribble in R6899 who had landed back at Manston at 1310 hrs would also return to Hornchurch half an hour later, landing at 1400 hrs. P/O Hopkin who landed at Manston at 1330 hrs would also return to Hornchurch at 1400 hrs, landing 20 minutes later.
It is unclear from the Squadron records on the detail, but at 1700 hrs eleven aircraft from No.54 Squadron are listed as taking off on either one or two separate patrols, seemingly without P/O Howes. It is not clear if they took off from both Hornchurch and Manston, nor where they landed back at between 1745 and 1810 hrs.
16.40: The second wave of bombers and their escort – this time about 300 strong – came North and South of the Thames. It looked as it a pincer movement was being evolved with Hornchurch as the objective! Once again the Squadron dealt faithfully with the enemy – being able to include some damage on the main formation which might have made things very unpleasant for the Station. Enemy casualties were claimed by:-
F/Lt. Gribble 1 Me 110 and 2 He 111 (all damaged)
F/O McMullen 1 Me 110 (probable)
P/O Hopkin 1 Do 17 (destroyed)
P/O Gray Completed his “Field day” with 1 Me 110 (destroyed) and 2 Me 110.s (probable)
P/O Edsall Opened his score for the Squadron with 1 Me 110 (destroyed)
P/O Matthews 1 Me 110 (probable)
Sgt. Robins 1 Me 110 (destroyed)
Sgt. Norwell 2 Me 110.s (damaged)
Again all these for no Squadron loss – pilots or aircraft.
The day’s total:- 8 destroyed; 6 probable; 11 damaged – was a fine performance and earned for the Squadron the following signal from Air Ministry:- (A716 19/8).
“Following from C.A.S. Well done 54 Squadron. In all your hard fighting this is the right spirit for dealing with the enemy.”
No.54 Squadron ORB (Form 540 - Summary) - Hornchurch - ExtractThe Attack on Manston
At 1530 hrs, Hauptmann Wolfgang Ewald, a German Luftwaffe ace, led what is reported to have been between twelve and sixteen aircraft of his 2./JG 52 (52nd Fighter Wing), armed with Messerschmitt Bf 109s in a strafing attack on Manston. Ewald’s attention had been caught by a group of Spitfires bunched together on the ground refuelling and being serviced between sorties, where craters caused by previous attacks on the airfield forced the aircraft to be closer than normal. These were Spitfires of No.266 Squadron.
Note that other records suggest the raid was at 1415hrs, so there may be a difference in reports between British Summer Time and the time zone of the Luftwaffe records.
After two passes, the attackers claimed the destruction of at least ten fighters with three Blenheim’s thrown in for good measure. In fact, just two of No.266 Squadron’s Spitfires X4061 and X4066 were totally written off, with another six being severely damaged including X4063, but repairable. Sgt Griffiths’ Hurricane (although this isn’t mentioned in the official Station records) was also destroyed. Spitfire N3127 and K9850 of 266 Squadron were also hit. Sgt Griffiths would appear to be Sgt Glyn Griffiths, but this is yet to be confirmed.
Groundcrew in the open, mainly part of the Servicing Flight were cut to pieces, with one killed, and 15 injured.
Aircraftman 1st Class Sydney Thomas Philbrick, aged 23 was killed and is buried in Brighton City Cemetery.
Among those injured were: Aircraftman T C Croxton, Aircraftman E B Davies, Aircraftman H H Valentine, Sergeant W Jones (266 Sqn), Sergeant D E Kingaby (266 Sqn).
Very warm – visibility excellent. Squadron aircraft left for advanced base. At 13.15 hours whilst en route to MANSTON squadron diverted to intercept enemy aircraft in the DOVER Area, after an engagement with the enemy returned to base (MANSTON) for re-fuelling. Before the completion of serviceing aircraft were attacked on the ground by GERMAN fighters with cannon and machine gun fire and the following damage sustained. Two SPITFIRE Aircraft destroyed by fire, Five badly damaged by cannon and machine gun fire repairable at Maintenance Unit. Sergt. Pilot D.E. KINGABY (No.745707) slightly wounded in finger. Sergt. Pilot W.JONES (No.512149) treated for shock. Squadron Leader D.G.H. SPENCER (No.34114) posted to Command vice Squadron Leader R.L. WILKINSON (No.26192), (Deceased). Squadron Leader D.G.H. SPENCER Has been attached to the Squadron since 25th July, 1940, from KIRTON-IN-LINDSEY. Two SPITFIRE delivered from No.24 Maintenance Unit. Five SPITFIRE Aircraft from No.6 Maintenance Unit.
No.266 Squadron ORB (Form 540 - Summary) - HornchurchA fine Day: raid warnings in the morning when nothing came over MANSTON, and another in the afternoon, when 16 H.E.113’s came over and shot the aerodrome up, using cannon and machine gun fire. No damage was done to personnel or machines of this Squadron. The weather was unsuitable for flying during the night, and none was done.
No.600 Squadron ORB (Form 540 - Summary) - ManstonA rare Military Medal awarded on British soil
Private Joseph Lister (3601757), aged 23, a Border Regiment Territorial was manning a Bren gun on a tripod mounting on the South side of the runway. Before the war, he was a colliery lamp room worker.
As the Luftwaffe aircraft attacked the airfield, he stood up and fired burst after burst at them. One of the attacking aircraft turned round and fired at him, hitting him in the left shoulder, the left arm, ear, left thigh and the right knee – a total of eight injuries. Another bullet exploded two rounds of his ammunition pouch. After collapsing beside his weapon, he was rushed to hospital where Doctors had to amputate his right leg above the knee.
While being treated for the serious wounds he received in the defence of Manston, the hospital in which Joseph Lister was being treated was attacked by enemy planes and part of the hospital demolished. He was later transferred to another hospital in Wales where he was fitted with an artificial leg.
Private Joseph Lister was Awarded the Military Medal for his brave action and invalided out of the Army.
The Fictitious Heinkel He 113
The Station ORB and that of No.54 Squadron recorded that the attacking aircraft included Heinkel He 113, a fictitious aircraft that was publicised by the Nazi Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels.
"Another attack made on the aerodrome by twelve H.E.113’s with cannon and machine gun fire. Two Spitfires were destroyed on the ground.
1 airman killed and 15 injured, mostly on the Servicing Flight."
Manston Station ORB
Results of the Day
The RAF and Fleet Air Arm lost altogether 68 aircraft with 31 in air combat. 69 German aircraft were destroyed or damaged beyond repair. Both side suffered more losses on this date that on any other day during the Battle of Britain, but although the outcome of the battle didn’t strategically favour either side, neither side would have been able to sustain such continued losses.
German personnel losses stood at 94 killed, 40 captured and 25 returned with wounds. For the RAF, 10 fighter pilots were killed on the day, another died of wounds. 19 pilots were wounded, 11 serious enough that they did not take part in the rest of the battle.
References:
Jagdgeschwader 52: The Experten, By John Weal, Osprey Publishing
Manston Station ORB.
No.54 Squadron ORB
The Winning of a Military Medal on British soil https://2ndww.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-winning-of-military-medal-on.html
Dilip Sarkar MBE – The Hardest Day (https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/blog/author-guest-post-dilip-sarkar-mbe-14/)
First published in 2016.
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