The events of 28 July 1940 unfolded at the height of the Kanalkampf, the opening and often overlooked phase of the Battle of Britain.
For nearly a month, the Luftwaffe had been testing Britain’s defences through relentless attacks on Channel convoys, probing raids along the south coast and increasingly ambitious strikes inland.
This period was not yet the full‑scale assault on Fighter Command’s airfields, but a grinding war of attrition designed to wear down the RAF, stretch its resources and expose its vulnerabilities.
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Against this backdrop, 28 July stands out as a day that encapsulated the chaotic rhythm of the campaign: scattered early‑morning clashes, major set‑piece battles over Dover, and widespread night bombing reaching deep into Britain.
It was a day in which individual encounters—such as the wounding of Werner Mölders and the actions of squadrons like 74, 111 and 257—intertwined with the broader strategic struggle for control of the skies.
Kanalkampf
The Kanalkampf, or “Channel Battle”, was the opening phase of the Battle of Britain, unfolding between early July and early August 1940.
Although later overshadowed by the more dramatic assaults on airfields and cities, this period was crucial in shaping the tempo, tactics and expectations of the air war that followed.
It marked the moment when the Luftwaffe shifted from operations over France to sustained offensive action against Britain, testing RAF Fighter Command’s readiness and probing for weaknesses.
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The fighting centred on the English Channel and its approaches. German strategy aimed to disrupt British coastal convoys - vital for moving supplies along the south coast - while drawing RAF fighters into combat.
Convoys such as “Bread”, “Pilot” and “Peewit” became focal points for repeated attacks by Bf 109s, Bf 110s and Ju 87 Stukas, supported by bombers operating from newly captured airfields in northern France.
These engagements were often intense but highly fluid, with small formations clashing at low altitude over the sea, where downed pilots faced the added danger of drowning.
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For the RAF, the Kanalkampf was both a test and a strain.
Fighter Command had to defend convoys while conserving strength for the larger battles it knew were coming.
Squadrons were scrambled repeatedly, sometimes several times a day, and the fighting exposed weaknesses in communication, radar coverage and pilot fatigue.
Losses mounted on both sides, though the Luftwaffe often underestimated the resilience of the British system.
The Kanalkampf also shaped public perception. Reports of ships sunk, aircraft downed and raids along the coast signalled that the war had reached Britain’s doorstep.
Yet the RAF’s ability to contest the Channel, despite pressure, demonstrated that Fighter Command remained intact and effective.
By early August, the Luftwaffe concluded that attacking convoys alone would not achieve air superiority.
The focus then shifted inland, beginning the next, more destructive phase of the Battle of Britain.
The Kanalkampf had served its purpose: it was the opening test of endurance in a campaign that would decide the fate of Britain.
Early Morning: The First Blows
The first incident came almost with the sunrise. At just after 05:00, a Ju 88 of 3./KG 51, bound for an ambitious raid on the industrial hub of Crewe, lost its way in heavy cloud.
Fuel dwindling, the pilot had no choice but to force-land near Bexhill on the Sussex coast.
The bomber’s crew stumbled out, dazed but alive, only to be taken prisoner by local authorities.
It was a grim omen: the Luftwaffe’s opening move of the day was not a strike, but a failure.
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Sgt. Ronald V Forward. On 28th July Forward's Hurricane, P3622, was seriously damaged in combat with Me109's over the Channel off Dover and he made a crash-landing at Hawkinge, slightly injured, writing the aircraft off.
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