August 1st 1940
Luftwaffe target: Convoy off Eastbourne
RAF target: Cherbourg airfield
Enemy activity was on a reduced scale and mostly consisted of reconnaissances and raids by single aircraft or small formations. Shipping was attacked and one land target was bombed. Our fighters shot down four enemy aircraft (one confirmed and three unconfirmed).
Several raids of three plus aircraft flew towards Dungeness; one of these raids was intercepted at 1450 hours by No 145 Squadron (Hurricanes) and one Hs126 and one Ju88 (both unconfirmed) were shot down. We lost one Hurricane.
Off the East Coast four enemy reconnaissances for shipping were reported during the morning and three calls for help were received from convoys. Unfavourable weather prevented interceptions.
In the afternoon following several reconnaissances, a convoy was attacked off Yarmouth and our fighters contacted the enemy successfully. No 242 Squadron (Hurricanes) shot down one Ju88 (confirmed) and one He111 (unconfirmed).
At 1512 hours bombs were dropped on Norwich by one aircraft. From the reports available there is little doubt that this was a hostile Blenheim. Some damage was done in a railway goods yard and two timber yards were set on fire.
German bombers dropped "Last Appeal to Reason" leaflets over many parts of southern England and South Wales. Some authors have made mention of the fact that most of the leaflets fell in the open pasturelands of Hampshire and Somerset, amongst grazing cattle and sheep. We know that English beef and lamb is amongst the finest, but it is going a bit far to expect them to be educated as well.
Directive Number 17 issued by Adolf Hitler:
Quote:
ADOLF HITLER'S DIRECTIVE No.17 Directive dated August 1st 1940
From his headquarters Hitler issues Directive No. 17 for the conduct of air and sea warfare against England: In order to establish the necessary conditions for the final conquest of England I intend to intensify air and sea warfare against the English homeland. I therefore order as follows:
1. The German Air Force is to overpower the English Air Force with all the forces at its command, in the shortest time possible. The attacks are to be directed primarily against flying units, their ground installations, and their supply organizations, but also against the aircraft industry, including that manufacturing anti-aircraft equipment.
2. After achieving temporary or local air superiority the air war is to be continued against ports, in particular against stores of food, and also against stores of provisions in the interior of the country.
Attacks on the south coast ports will be made on the smallest possible scale, in view of our own forthcoming operations.
3. On the other hand, air attacks on enemy warships and merchant ships may be reduced except where some particularly favourable target happens to present itself, where such attacks would lend additional effectiveness to those mentioned in Paragraph 2, or where such attacks are necessary for the training of air crews for further operations.
4. The intensified air warfare will be carried out in such a way that the Air Force can at any time be called upon to give adequate support to naval operations against suitable targets. It must also be ready to take part in full force in Operation Seelowe.
5. I reserve to myself the right to decide on terror attacks as measures of reprisal.
6. The intensification of the air war may begin on or after 5 August. The exact time is to be decided by the Air Force after completion of preparations and in the light of the weather.
The Navy is authorized to begin the proposed intensified naval war at the same time.
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CASUALTIES:
- Enemy: Fighters - None; Bombers - 1 confirmed, 2 unconfirmed; Reconnaissance -1 unconfirmed.
- Own: 1 Hurricane (No 145 Squadron)
- Corrections to 1 August report:
- The Do215 is now reported to have been a Do17.
- Enemy casualty by No 29 Squadron at 0015 hours has since proved to be a Fairey Battle of No 1 Group.