Overview
The 11th of July unfolded as a day of relentless pressure in the widening Kanalkampf, the Luftwaffe’s escalating effort to dominate the Channel and grind down Fighter Command. It began “with a low, menacing growl that resonated across the English Channel,” a prelude to scattered dawn raids that probed British defences from Yarmouth to Flamborough Head. Inland attacks struck Derbyshire and Bridlington, while early interceptions by Nos. 66 and 242 Squadrons brought sharp skirmishes and the first losses of the day.
By mid‑morning, the air war intensified. The first major Stuka assault—Ju 87s of StG 2 with Bf 109 escort—fell upon a convoy in Lyme Bay. Hurricanes of No. 501 Squadron were mauled before reaching the bombers, and No. 609 Squadron’s desperate intervention could not prevent the sinking of HMS Warrior II. Yet the convoy survived, a small strategic success bought at heavy cost.
The fiercest action came late morning over Portland. A large Stuka force, escorted by Bf 110s of ZG 76, collided with Hurricanes from Nos. 601, 238, 87, 213, and 501 Squadrons. The Bf 110s were exposed as fatally vulnerable in close combat; four were destroyed, including the aircraft of Hans‑Joachim Göring. Portland itself suffered damage, but the Luftwaffe paid dearly.
Further raids through the afternoon and evening—reconnaissance penetrations, the shooting down of a He 59, and a major He 111 attack on Portsmouth—pushed the day toward its grim conclusion. One He 111 became the first Luftwaffe aircraft to crash on the British mainland during the official Battle of Britain dates. Nightfall brought fresh bombing across Wales and the West Country, underscoring the conflict’s growing reach.
Across Britain and Europe, political, industrial, and naval developments echoed the day’s fighting, each movement tightening the coil of a struggle that was rapidly approaching its decisive phase.
Information
Aircrew at RAF 43 Squadron - Flight Lieutenants Peter Townsend and Caesar Hull at Wick, Scotland April 1940. On July 11th 1940, Townsend - now a Squadron Leader at 85 Squadron - was shot down in his Hurricane during an attack on a Dornier 17. He baled out and survived to fight again.
75 Years ago today - Thursday July 11th 1940 - The Historic Flying Clothing Company