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From Berlin... Goring takes two significant decisions. He decides that because the RAF has been so reduced in strength it is wasting effort to continue to attack any radar stations. This seems to contradict his other decision that the escorting fighters must fly a considerable portion of their strength very close to the bomber formations because of bomber casualties and poor morale among their crews. This drastically reduces the fighter's effectiveness and increases the number needed to escort each raid. It is strongly resented by the fighter pilots.
Over Britain... The Germans fly almost 1800 sorties, the greatest number they will achieve during the battle, and the RAF almost 1000. The attacks of Kesselring and Sperrle from northern France are joined according to plan by Stumpff's forces from Norway and Denmark which send attacks against targets in northeast England. The distances to be flown here prevent any Me109s from giving cover, and the Me110s which are sent to fill the escort's role have to be fitted with extra fuel tanks in lieu of the rear gunners, further reducing their already limited combat capability. The Luftwaffe believes that because of the earlier attacks Dowding will have been forced to station all his few remaining fighters in the south and will have nothing left to meet this assault. In fact the Germans suffer heavily, losing 23 aircraft from a force of about 150, shooting no enemy aircraft down and doing little damage with their bombs. In the south the day's events are much less one-sided. In several engagements the RAF comes off worse but not all. By the end of the day the overall score shows the RAF as having lost 34 planes, all fighters, and the Germans 75 altogether. Several RAF airfields have been damaged but not yet seriously enough to prevent rapid repairs.
The front page of the Gazette the day after the attack on August 15. Actually 75 German planes had been shot down which shows how confused and ferocious the action was. Nevertheless 75 planes lost on one day was a significant defeat for the Luftwaffe.
In East Africa... The British forces begin to pull out of their positions around Tug Argan in British Somaliland after a notable defense.
Over Britain... The Germans fly almost 1800 sorties, the greatest number they will achieve during the battle, and the RAF almost 1000. The attacks of Kesselring and Sperrle from northern France are joined according to plan by Stumpff's forces from Norway and Denmark which send attacks against targets in northeast England. The distances to be flown here prevent any Me109s from giving cover, and the Me110s which are sent to fill the escort's role have to be fitted with extra fuel tanks in lieu of the rear gunners, further reducing their already limited combat capability. The Luftwaffe believes that because of the earlier attacks Dowding will have been forced to station all his few remaining fighters in the south and will have nothing left to meet this assault. In fact the Germans suffer heavily, losing 23 aircraft from a force of about 150, shooting no enemy aircraft down and doing little damage with their bombs. In the south the day's events are much less one-sided. In several engagements the RAF comes off worse but not all. By the end of the day the overall score shows the RAF as having lost 34 planes, all fighters, and the Germans 75 altogether. Several RAF airfields have been damaged but not yet seriously enough to prevent rapid repairs.
The front page of the Gazette the day after the attack on August 15. Actually 75 German planes had been shot down which shows how confused and ferocious the action was. Nevertheless 75 planes lost on one day was a significant defeat for the Luftwaffe.
In East Africa... The British forces begin to pull out of their positions around Tug Argan in British Somaliland after a notable defense.