THE HARDEST DAY--18 August 1940 (PartI)
Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2004 1:39 pmOn 18 August 1940 the Luftwaffe launched three major air assults against targets in southern England. in the course of these, and numerous smaller actions 100 German and 136 British aircraft were desroyed or damaged in the air or on the ground. On no other day during the Battle of Britain would either side suffer a greater number of aircraft out out of action.
Luftwaffe high command ordered AirFleet 2 to carry out an attack on targets 1017 & 1018 on the Luftwaffe catalogue, Biggin Hill and Kenley airfields.
Kenley was assigned to Bomber Geschwader76 based on airfields immediately to the north of Paris, which was to attack with 48 Dornniers Do17's and Junkers Ju88's. Fighter Geschwader 3, 26, 51, 52, 54 were to provide the escort and free hunting patrols for these attacks.
The Ju88's were to come in at high altitude and perform a dive bombing attack on Kenley, closely followed by a low level attack by the Do17's. the Ju's were ldelayed for about 15 minutes, this meant the Do17's were ahead, and were attacking firts, without the crews knowing.
the A pattern of Kenley's runway came within sight, and the Junkers started their attack.
[glb]PART 2 HERE[/glb]
Luftwaffe high command ordered AirFleet 2 to carry out an attack on targets 1017 & 1018 on the Luftwaffe catalogue, Biggin Hill and Kenley airfields.
Kenley was assigned to Bomber Geschwader76 based on airfields immediately to the north of Paris, which was to attack with 48 Dornniers Do17's and Junkers Ju88's. Fighter Geschwader 3, 26, 51, 52, 54 were to provide the escort and free hunting patrols for these attacks.
The Ju88's were to come in at high altitude and perform a dive bombing attack on Kenley, closely followed by a low level attack by the Do17's. the Ju's were ldelayed for about 15 minutes, this meant the Do17's were ahead, and were attacking firts, without the crews knowing.
the A pattern of Kenley's runway came within sight, and the Junkers started their attack.
[glb]PART 2 HERE[/glb]
