THE MORNING RAID That morning of 20th July began much like any other of the last few weeks. The early morning mist rolled out across the Thames Estuary, from Canvey Island toward Whitstable, Hern Bay and Westgate on Sea. The smoke from the smelters at Barking, the Refineries along the coast at Tilbury and Thameshaven coloured it almost purple near the water. The weather reports said that it would clear later, would probably be a fine day come late morning. 50 miles to the south, a dozen coastal vessels, escorted by a Royal Navy destroyer and a converted Sloop, designated "Whiskey" steamed northward in ballast, headed for the Medway Roads, off Sheerness. At least the rain had gone thought Old Jack Wilkinson that Sunday morning, as he rumbled his old barrow down the lane to his allotment near his village, Beckley, a few miles south of Tenterden in Kent. "Red sky at night, shephards delight" his wife had said last night. The RDF station at Fairlight was first to detect a lone reconnaisance aircraft at about 09.21hrs as it came in from the south east at about 20,000ft. It came inland as far as Maidstone, gaining height all the while, turning for home before red section of 501 squadron could get at it. By 10.45hrs, the mist had cleared across southern England and the sun shone brightly. The 11 group controllers expected that Whiskey would attract some attention. And it did. The first plot showed up at about 11.25hrs, 60 plus, forming south of Calais. 610 and 111 squadrons were bought to standby, engines running and ready for take off. From the look of it, the controllers guessed they were fighters, so they held back to wait and see what would happen next. It quickly did. Another plot showed up, north of the first, 30 plus, then another of 60 plus. 610 and 111 were already off the ground as 1, 32 and 54 squadrons were scrambled, ordered to patrol Canterbury - Hythe. The first plot was now halfway across the channel, growing to 70 plus seemingly headed toward the convoy which was now off East Road, Dungeness. On the seafront at Dymchurch, Doris Bettles was taking her Jack Russell for a walk that morning. She was not allowed onto the beach as there were invasion precautions in place, but she could clearly see the ships about 5 miles off shore as they passed the East Road Sand. Flight Lieutenant Jack Robson could see them clearly too from 10,000ft as he and 610 squadron climbed desperately for height, forewarned by control of the approach of enemy fighters. Back at Uxbridge, the plots showed that Whiskey was most definately the target, as second plot began to swing west on a dogleg toward it. The third plot seemed to be still climbing whilst the British fighters clambered for height also across Kent. It was 111 squadron who were first to encounter the enemy. Or rather, be encountered. Around 30 Bf110s fell on them from above, scattering them in all directions, and a fierce dogfight broke out. Pilot Officer Goodwin on his first combat mission suddenly found himself on the tail of one of the twin engined fighters. He later couldn't recall wether by luck or judgement, but he squeezed the fire button nevertheless and the 110 fell away with its starboard engine smoking. Others were not so lucky. Flying Officer Ridgeway's Hurricane was hit by 20mm cannon fire and turned over on its back before falling into a steep dive. Reg Olivers machine caught fire and blew up spreading debris over a wide area, part of which hit the canopy of Pilot Officer Tony Jenkins Hurricane, causing him to go into a spin. The Spitfires of 610 were a little luckier. P/O Barton spotted them first, "109's, 11 o'clock, coming down now" It was only a couple of seconds warning, but it was enough to allow them to turn into the threat and avoid the surprize slashing attack that was befalling their comrades a few miles to the south. Whilst the escorts were engaged with 111 and 610 squadron, about 30 Ju87s arrived over the convoy, shuffled into line astern then tipped over into their dive. AA fire from the destroyer and the sloop, together with the shore based 3inch batteries south of Folkstone now added to the general din, not knowing wether they were firing at friend or foe. Doris Bettles could hear the distant rattle of machine gun fire coming from high above and looked up to see an aircraft coming in low over the shore. It had two engines and was clearly on fire and in trouble. She watched as it disappeared over the railway station to crash behind the church at Burmarsh. One of the coasters was hit by a 550lb bomb which exploded against its port hull causing it to come to a standstill and begin to list heavily as it took on water. At this moment, as the Stukas were coming out of their dives and climbing away, the Hurricanes of 1 squadron got in amongst them, shooting 2 of the unfortunate aircraft down. One crashed into the sea off Folkstone while the other crashlanded beside the Hythe - Ashford road at Saltwood. Meanwhile, 610 squadron were engaged in a desperate dogfight with 2 staffels of Bf109s. Jack Robson, twisting fearfully and sweating profusely with terror suddenly got into a firing position above and behind a 109 that had turned across him. Taking a chance, he straightened out for a couple of seconds, framed the Messerschmidt in his sight and let loose a three second burst from 150 yards. The 109 reared up on its tail then immediately fell away in a spin, trailing smoke. He didn't dare follow mercifully, for a second later his victims wingman flashed overhead as he turned tightly across his path. Further north, more Bf109s arrived over Folkstone as the unfortunate Stukas were withdrawing. About 60 109s swarmed down onto 1 squadron who lost one of their number before 54 squadron arrived to help even out the odds a little. A huge dogfight involving well over 200 aircraft and stretching from Dungeness to East Wear Bay now raged. 32 squadron, falling into the fight from 10,000ft, came upon the hapless Stukas as they were forming up again after being roughed up by 1 squadron. Another was shot down, this one crashing into the sea, and a further 2 badly damaged, one of which crash landed on the beach at Abbeville. Old Jack Wilkinson heard the aircraft before he saw it, P/O Ridgeways Hurricane as it came down over Four Oaks and crashed into the field 300 yards behind his allotment. The unfortunate pilot didn't get out. Barely 15 minutes after the first clash, it was almost over. The British fighters, low on ammunition, began to withdrawl, while the Germans, content to shephard home the Stukas, gladly disengaged. It had been an expensive morning for both sides. 32 squadron had lost 1 Hurricane and its pilot and another machine damaged. 610 had lost 2 aircraft, 2 damaged, 1 pilot killed and 2 wounded. 111 squadron had lost 3 Hurricanes with 2 pilots killed, with a fourth aircraft badly damaged. 1 Squadron had lost 1 aircraft destroyed, 3 damaged and 2 pilots wounded. 54 squadron a further Spitfire destroyed in combat, another written off crashlanding and a third badly damaged. The Luftwaffe had lost 3 Stukas destroyed, one written of in crashlanding and a further 4 severely damaged, together with 7 aircrew killed. 2 Bf109s had not returned, while another crashed on landing at its airfield, killing the pilot. 4 more Bf109s were damaged, 2 badly and 2 pilots killed. Whilst 111 squadron had suffered, the Bf110s had fared worse. One collided with the wreckage of F/O Reg Olivers Hurricane and crashed into the sea. 3 more were destroyed in combat along with all their crews. 2 more were damaged, one so badly it was written off. So ended the morning raid.
