Friday 16 August 1940
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| The RAF Fighter Command Operations Room at Bentley Priory. |
Battle of Britain: Luftwaffe attacks on 16 August 1940 focus on RAF airports today. RAF Tangmere suffers the most damage, with over half a dozen fields getting hit as well. While the Luftwaffe is taking serious losses, the RAF losses are not insignificant. The widespread damage to airfields and radar installations today actually makes it a rather successful day for the Germans, though of course, the British press can't know any of this.
There is a large operation around noon when 100 airplanes approach the Thames estuary. At the same time, a different formation makes landfall at Kent. A third attack by KG 2 crosses the coast at Dover. The Thames and Kent formations are intercepted, but the Dover formation gets through and hits RAF West Malling and Brize Norton, causing extensive damage at the latter (46 trainers destroyed).
About an hour later, another large Luftwaffe formation approaches from Cherbourg. This is primarily composed of Junkers Ju 87 Stukas of StG 2 and some Junkers Ju 88 bombers of KG 54. The escorts are from II,/JG 2 (Bf 109Es) and III,/ZG 76 (Bf 110s). The force splits up at the coast, with one group heading toward the Ventnor radar station, a second for RAF Tangmere, and a third toward Portsmouth and Gosport. RAF Nos. 1, 43, 601 and 602 Squadrons intercept. There is mass carnage, with the Luftwaffe losing 9 Stukas
The Stukas, however, mangle Tangmere, destroying 7 Hurricanes on the ground. The Junkers Ju 88 bombers are especially effective at Tangmere, destroying 14 more planes and hitting every major building. Both sides take heavy losses during this engagement.
The raid on the Ventnor radar station also is extremely effective, knocking it out for over a month. Hermann Goering's admonition against bombing the radar stations is proving unwise, and thankfully for the German cause is being ignored.
The attacks continue throughout the afternoon. Heathrow airport receives attention, but the attacking Heinkel He 111s of KG 55 lose six of their number. Another attack by Heinkels over Sussex at 17:30 results in four more bombers going down, and the last major raid of the day a little later, over Essex, results in another Heinkel going down along with several Bf 110s.
After dark, the Luftwaffe bombs the Bristol area, including the Filton airfield, Avonmouth docks, and a searchlight battery at Bristol.
The Luftwaffe damages trawler Regardo off the Isle of Wight and freighter Loch Ryan off of Land's End in Cornwall. The Luftwaffe also strafes fishing trawlers off the west coast of Scotland.
RAF Bomber Command attacks oil installations at Leuna (Leipzig) and Bohlera, aircraft factories at Bernburg and Augsburg, and other targets in central Europe. During the night of 15/16 August, aircraft factories in Northern Italy were attacked.
Flight Lieutenant James Nicolson shoots down a Bf 109 after being badly wounded and with his plane in the process of crashing. Nicolson has a very bad time of it, shot twice by the Germans and then once more by a Home Guardsman who mistakes him for a German. He earns the Victoria Cross for this. He survives.
Adolf Galland of JG 26, the top pilot in the premier Luftwaffe fighter formation, receives the Pilot's Badge in Gold with Diamonds.
Oblt. Karl Ebbighausen, Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 26 is KIA, replaced by Hauptmann Erich Bode. Staffelkapitän of 4./JG 2 Oblt. Walter Möckel is shot down and becomes a prisoner.
American Pilot Officer W. M. "Billy" Fiske III is serving with the RAF and is mortally wounded during the Stuka raid on Tangmere. He is buried at St. Paul's Cathedral in London and is the only American in the RAF killed during the Battle of Britain.
The Luftwaffe once again takes the brunt of the damage - as long as you don't count the numerous RAF aircraft destroyed on the ground. Estimates vary widely as usual, but the Luftwaffe loses around 45 planes and the RAF around 30.
German Government: Today perfectly illustrates the confusion that permeates the German planning process. There are false estimates of British strength, plans drafted with great care for operations that cannot be made, and internal arguments.
Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (OKL) has little real information to go by other than pilot reports and confirmed kills. Today, the intelligence section of the OKL ("Section 5") estimates today that the RAF is down to 300 fighters defending England. The actual number is roughly 600, of which 200 are Spitfires.
The wrangling over Operation Sea Lion continues. Hitler orders the Army and the Navy to reach some sort of compromise. The Army wants a broad front, the Navy a narrow one. The Army began the process wishing to land 40 divisions but now concedes that it can make do with 13.
Hitler approves a plan for Operation Felix, the conquest of Gibraltar. No invasion of Gibraltar can be performed without Spanish intervention in the war, and that does not appear to be forthcoming any time soon.
Battle of the Atlantic: A wolfpack - a collection of U-boats operating as a group - is northwest of Ireland along the normal convoy route. Today, it scores several successes.
U-100 (Kapitänleutnant Joachim Schepke) torpedoes and sinks 4864-ton British freighter Empire Merchant in the Western Approaches. There are 49 survivors and seven crew perish. The Empire Merchant is an independent, zig-zagging at a fast 16 knots, and Schepke uses two torpedoes that hit the stern.
U-30 (Kapitänleutnant Fritz-Julius Lemp) torpedoes and sinks 6628-ton British freighter Clan McPhee in the Western Approaches. There are 41 survivors and 67 dead. They are picked up by Hungarian freighter Kelet.
U-48 (Korvettenkapitän Hans Rudolf Rösing) torpedoes and sinks 2325 ton collier Hedrun in the Western Approaches. There are 21 survivors, and 8 crew perish. Hedrun is traveling with Convoy OB 197.
U-46 (Kapitänleutnant Engelbert Endrass) torpedoes Dutch freighter Alcinous in the same area, but she is taken under tow and makes it to port.
U-51 (Kptlt. Dietrich Knorr) is spotted about 170 miles northwest of Tory Island by a Coastal Command Short Sunderland flying boat. A depth charge attack seriously damages it. While little is known about what happened afterward, it appears the U-51 could not submerge after this and headed back to Kiel.
British 1598-ton freighter Meath hits a mine and sinks northeast of Breakwater Rock Lighthouse. The 24 ton Manx Lad, a pilot ship, is alongside the Meath and goes down as well. Everybody survives.
The British 5309-ton freighter City of Birmingham hits a mine and sinks about 5 miles from the Humber River. Everybody survives. The cargo of copper and tin is quite valuable and worthy of salvage.
Norwegian ship Jaederen hits a mine laid by RN submarine Narwhal in the North Sea.
The British lay minefield BS.32 in the North Sea.
Royal Navy aircraft carrier Ark Royal leaves Gibraltar to conduct practice operations in the Bay of Biscay.
Convoy FN 254 departs from Southend, Convoys MT 142 and OA 200 depart from Methil, Convoy FS 254 departs from the Tyne, Convoy OB 199 departs from Liverpool, Convoy HX 66 departs from Halifax, SHX 66 departs from Sydney, Canada, Convoy BHX 66 departs from Bermuda.
Battle of the Mediterranean: British submarine HMS Osiris torpedoes and sinks 1968 ton Italian freighter Osiris in the Adriatic west of Durrës, Albania.
The Italians bomb Alexandria and sink local dockyard vessel Moorstone in shallow water where it can be salvaged. The RAF attacks Tobruk.
At Malta, there is an air raid alert at 07:41 which involves Italian aircraft offshore which do not attack. The War Office informs Governor Dobbie that Malta soon will be the base for seaborne raiders, but the size and scope of the force is not known yet. Dobbie is concerned about supplying them, as supplies already are quite tight on the island.
Battle of the Pacific: German raider Orion captures 2489 ton French freighter Notou southwest of Noumea, New Caledonia. After inspecting it and finding war material, the Orion sinks it.
British Somaliland: The British begin pulling out of the country. British troopships Chakdina, Changala, Laomedon, Akbar, and Vita begin evacuating British troops from Berbera to Aden. Some of the Royal Navy ships are damaged slightly by air attack, but all continue operating. Tug Queen sinks during the operation. The Italians approach the British rearguard but do not attack.
The Italians are proceeding with circumspection in British Somaliland because of rumors of peace talks with the English via the Vatican. The Duke of Aosta, in overall command in Abyssinia, is said to be temperate in the pace of Italian operations as a result.
The RAF attacks Italian positions at Zeila and Adadleh.
Spy Stuff: The US makes progress in deciphering the Japanese codes.
Romanian/Hungarian Relations: The territorial disputes continue, as the two sides begin discussing Hungary's claim on Transylvania.
US Government: President Roosevelt announces at a press conference that the US is considering the acquisition of British naval bases. He omits the fact that they will be exchanged for US Navy destroyers.
US Military: The US 29th Infantry Regiment begins parachute jumps with 48 men lead by Major William Lee as a possible beginning to the formation of US airborne units.
Canada: The Canadian Armoured Corps forms.
A lecturer at the University of British Columbia, Professor Henry Angus, accurately predicts a Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour.
Norway: A small force of Norwegians begins military training in Dumfries, Scotland.
Hitler meets with Vidkun Quisling, who is out of power and has been hosting a radio program.
Finland: The last neutral ship allowed to leave, the US Army Transport American Legion, departs from Petsamo for New York. It carries Crown Princess Martha and military supplies.
German Homefront: Two nights of dancing per week are allowed, relaxing a previous war-time ban.
American Homefront: Alfred Hitchcock film "Foreign Correspondent" starring Joel McCrea hits theaters.
Salvador Dali, previously based in Spain, arrives in New York for an extended stay.
August 1940
August 1, 1940: Two RN Subs Lost
August 2, 1940: Operation Hurry
August 3, 1940: Italians Attack British Somaliland
August 4, 1940: Dueling Legends in the US
August 5, 1940: First Plan for Barbarossa
August 6, 1940: Wipe Out The RAF
August 7, 1940: Burning Oil Plants
August 8, 1940: True Start of Battle of Britain
August 9, 1940: Aufbau Ost
August 10, 1940: Romania Clamps Down On Jews
August 11, 1940: Huge Aerial Losses
August 12, 1940: Attacks on Radar
August 13, 1940: Adler Tag
August 14, 1940: Sir Henry's Mission
August 15, 1940: Luftwaffe's Black Thursday
August 16, 1940: Wolfpack Time
August 17, 1940: Blockade of Britain
August 18, 1940: The Hardest Day
August 19, 1940: Enter The Zero
August 20, 1940: So Much Owed By So Many
August 21, 1940: Anglo Saxon Incident
August 22, 1940: Hellfire Corner
August 23, 1940: Seaplanes Attack
August 24, 1940: Slippery Slope
August 25, 1940: RAF Bombs Berlin
August 26, 1940: Troops Moved for Barbarossa
August 27, 1940: Air Base in Iceland
August 28, 1940: Call Me Meyer
August 29, 1940: Schepke's Big Day
August 30, 1940: RAF's Bad Day
August 31, 1940: Texel Disaster
2020
There is a large operation around noon when 100 airplanes approach the Thames estuary. At the same time, a different formation makes landfall at Kent. A third attack by KG 2 crosses the coast at Dover. The Thames and Kent formations are intercepted, but the Dover formation gets through and hits RAF West Malling and Brize Norton, causing extensive damage at the latter (46 trainers destroyed).
About an hour later, another large Luftwaffe formation approaches from Cherbourg. This is primarily composed of Junkers Ju 87 Stukas of StG 2 and some Junkers Ju 88 bombers of KG 54. The escorts are from II,/JG 2 (Bf 109Es) and III,/ZG 76 (Bf 110s). The force splits up at the coast, with one group heading toward the Ventnor radar station, a second for RAF Tangmere, and a third toward Portsmouth and Gosport. RAF Nos. 1, 43, 601 and 602 Squadrons intercept. There is mass carnage, with the Luftwaffe losing 9 Stukas
The Stukas, however, mangle Tangmere, destroying 7 Hurricanes on the ground. The Junkers Ju 88 bombers are especially effective at Tangmere, destroying 14 more planes and hitting every major building. Both sides take heavy losses during this engagement.
The raid on the Ventnor radar station also is extremely effective, knocking it out for over a month. Hermann Goering's admonition against bombing the radar stations is proving unwise, and thankfully for the German cause is being ignored.
The attacks continue throughout the afternoon. Heathrow airport receives attention, but the attacking Heinkel He 111s of KG 55 lose six of their number. Another attack by Heinkels over Sussex at 17:30 results in four more bombers going down, and the last major raid of the day a little later, over Essex, results in another Heinkel going down along with several Bf 110s.
After dark, the Luftwaffe bombs the Bristol area, including the Filton airfield, Avonmouth docks, and a searchlight battery at Bristol.
 |
| Two Hurricanes from No. 501 Squadron at Hawkinge, August 16, 1940. |
RAF Bomber Command attacks oil installations at Leuna (Leipzig) and Bohlera, aircraft factories at Bernburg and Augsburg, and other targets in central Europe. During the night of 15/16 August, aircraft factories in Northern Italy were attacked.
Flight Lieutenant James Nicolson shoots down a Bf 109 after being badly wounded and with his plane in the process of crashing. Nicolson has a very bad time of it, shot twice by the Germans and then once more by a Home Guardsman who mistakes him for a German. He earns the Victoria Cross for this. He survives.
Adolf Galland of JG 26, the top pilot in the premier Luftwaffe fighter formation, receives the Pilot's Badge in Gold with Diamonds.
Oblt. Karl Ebbighausen, Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 26 is KIA, replaced by Hauptmann Erich Bode. Staffelkapitän of 4./JG 2 Oblt. Walter Möckel is shot down and becomes a prisoner.
American Pilot Officer W. M. "Billy" Fiske III is serving with the RAF and is mortally wounded during the Stuka raid on Tangmere. He is buried at St. Paul's Cathedral in London and is the only American in the RAF killed during the Battle of Britain.
The Luftwaffe once again takes the brunt of the damage - as long as you don't count the numerous RAF aircraft destroyed on the ground. Estimates vary widely as usual, but the Luftwaffe loses around 45 planes and the RAF around 30.
 |
| Flight Lieutenant James Nicolson, V.C. |
Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (OKL) has little real information to go by other than pilot reports and confirmed kills. Today, the intelligence section of the OKL ("Section 5") estimates today that the RAF is down to 300 fighters defending England. The actual number is roughly 600, of which 200 are Spitfires.
The wrangling over Operation Sea Lion continues. Hitler orders the Army and the Navy to reach some sort of compromise. The Army wants a broad front, the Navy a narrow one. The Army began the process wishing to land 40 divisions but now concedes that it can make do with 13.
Hitler approves a plan for Operation Felix, the conquest of Gibraltar. No invasion of Gibraltar can be performed without Spanish intervention in the war, and that does not appear to be forthcoming any time soon.
Battle of the Atlantic: A wolfpack - a collection of U-boats operating as a group - is northwest of Ireland along the normal convoy route. Today, it scores several successes.
U-100 (Kapitänleutnant Joachim Schepke) torpedoes and sinks 4864-ton British freighter Empire Merchant in the Western Approaches. There are 49 survivors and seven crew perish. The Empire Merchant is an independent, zig-zagging at a fast 16 knots, and Schepke uses two torpedoes that hit the stern.
U-30 (Kapitänleutnant Fritz-Julius Lemp) torpedoes and sinks 6628-ton British freighter Clan McPhee in the Western Approaches. There are 41 survivors and 67 dead. They are picked up by Hungarian freighter Kelet.
U-48 (Korvettenkapitän Hans Rudolf Rösing) torpedoes and sinks 2325 ton collier Hedrun in the Western Approaches. There are 21 survivors, and 8 crew perish. Hedrun is traveling with Convoy OB 197.
U-46 (Kapitänleutnant Engelbert Endrass) torpedoes Dutch freighter Alcinous in the same area, but she is taken under tow and makes it to port.
U-51 (Kptlt. Dietrich Knorr) is spotted about 170 miles northwest of Tory Island by a Coastal Command Short Sunderland flying boat. A depth charge attack seriously damages it. While little is known about what happened afterward, it appears the U-51 could not submerge after this and headed back to Kiel.
British 1598-ton freighter Meath hits a mine and sinks northeast of Breakwater Rock Lighthouse. The 24 ton Manx Lad, a pilot ship, is alongside the Meath and goes down as well. Everybody survives.
The British 5309-ton freighter City of Birmingham hits a mine and sinks about 5 miles from the Humber River. Everybody survives. The cargo of copper and tin is quite valuable and worthy of salvage.
Norwegian ship Jaederen hits a mine laid by RN submarine Narwhal in the North Sea.
The British lay minefield BS.32 in the North Sea.
Royal Navy aircraft carrier Ark Royal leaves Gibraltar to conduct practice operations in the Bay of Biscay.
Convoy FN 254 departs from Southend, Convoys MT 142 and OA 200 depart from Methil, Convoy FS 254 departs from the Tyne, Convoy OB 199 departs from Liverpool, Convoy HX 66 departs from Halifax, SHX 66 departs from Sydney, Canada, Convoy BHX 66 departs from Bermuda.
Battle of the Mediterranean: British submarine HMS Osiris torpedoes and sinks 1968 ton Italian freighter Osiris in the Adriatic west of Durrës, Albania.
The Italians bomb Alexandria and sink local dockyard vessel Moorstone in shallow water where it can be salvaged. The RAF attacks Tobruk.
At Malta, there is an air raid alert at 07:41 which involves Italian aircraft offshore which do not attack. The War Office informs Governor Dobbie that Malta soon will be the base for seaborne raiders, but the size and scope of the force is not known yet. Dobbie is concerned about supplying them, as supplies already are quite tight on the island.
Battle of the Pacific: German raider Orion captures 2489 ton French freighter Notou southwest of Noumea, New Caledonia. After inspecting it and finding war material, the Orion sinks it.
British Somaliland: The British begin pulling out of the country. British troopships Chakdina, Changala, Laomedon, Akbar, and Vita begin evacuating British troops from Berbera to Aden. Some of the Royal Navy ships are damaged slightly by air attack, but all continue operating. Tug Queen sinks during the operation. The Italians approach the British rearguard but do not attack.
The Italians are proceeding with circumspection in British Somaliland because of rumors of peace talks with the English via the Vatican. The Duke of Aosta, in overall command in Abyssinia, is said to be temperate in the pace of Italian operations as a result.
The RAF attacks Italian positions at Zeila and Adadleh.
Spy Stuff: The US makes progress in deciphering the Japanese codes.
Romanian/Hungarian Relations: The territorial disputes continue, as the two sides begin discussing Hungary's claim on Transylvania.
US Government: President Roosevelt announces at a press conference that the US is considering the acquisition of British naval bases. He omits the fact that they will be exchanged for US Navy destroyers.
US Military: The US 29th Infantry Regiment begins parachute jumps with 48 men lead by Major William Lee as a possible beginning to the formation of US airborne units.
Canada: The Canadian Armoured Corps forms.
A lecturer at the University of British Columbia, Professor Henry Angus, accurately predicts a Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour.
Norway: A small force of Norwegians begins military training in Dumfries, Scotland.
Hitler meets with Vidkun Quisling, who is out of power and has been hosting a radio program.
Finland: The last neutral ship allowed to leave, the US Army Transport American Legion, departs from Petsamo for New York. It carries Crown Princess Martha and military supplies.
German Homefront: Two nights of dancing per week are allowed, relaxing a previous war-time ban.
American Homefront: Alfred Hitchcock film "Foreign Correspondent" starring Joel McCrea hits theaters.
Salvador Dali, previously based in Spain, arrives in New York for an extended stay.
 |
| The Antarctic Snow Cruiser near the Bay of Whales on 16 August 1940. |
August 1940
August 1, 1940: Two RN Subs Lost
August 2, 1940: Operation Hurry
August 3, 1940: Italians Attack British Somaliland
August 4, 1940: Dueling Legends in the US
August 5, 1940: First Plan for Barbarossa
August 6, 1940: Wipe Out The RAF
August 7, 1940: Burning Oil Plants
August 8, 1940: True Start of Battle of Britain
August 9, 1940: Aufbau Ost
August 10, 1940: Romania Clamps Down On Jews
August 11, 1940: Huge Aerial Losses
August 12, 1940: Attacks on Radar
August 13, 1940: Adler Tag
August 14, 1940: Sir Henry's Mission
August 15, 1940: Luftwaffe's Black Thursday
August 16, 1940: Wolfpack Time
August 17, 1940: Blockade of Britain
August 18, 1940: The Hardest Day
August 19, 1940: Enter The Zero
August 20, 1940: So Much Owed By So Many
August 21, 1940: Anglo Saxon Incident
August 22, 1940: Hellfire Corner
August 23, 1940: Seaplanes Attack
August 24, 1940: Slippery Slope
August 25, 1940: RAF Bombs Berlin
August 26, 1940: Troops Moved for Barbarossa
August 27, 1940: Air Base in Iceland
August 28, 1940: Call Me Meyer
August 29, 1940: Schepke's Big Day
August 30, 1940: RAF's Bad Day
August 31, 1940: Texel Disaster
2020
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