Battle of Britain - Day 22

Day 22 – July 31st 1940

July 31, 2010 in 74 Squadron, July 1940

Weather: fair everywhere.
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours:

Blenheim – 63
Spitfire – 239
Hurricane – 348
Defiant – 25
Total – 675

Scattered raiders flew over the south coast. Then, late in the afternoon 15 Me109s approached Dover. Several squadrons intercepted and a considerable fight followed. The RAF flew 395 sorties and 11 Group shot down 5 German aircraft for a loss of 3 RAF fighters.

Thus, ended July. The Luftwaffe in the month had sunk 18 coastal vessels and also sunk 4 destroyers. They had destroyed 77 RAF planes for the loss of 216 German aircraft.

74 Squadron Operational Record Book, 31 July
Total casualties to date (enemy) 30 confirmed, 19 unconfirmed. Our casualties – 7 pilots missing – 2 known to be POWs in Germany, 1 Sgt pilot in military hospital, Dover, slightly wounded.
Reported Casualties (RAF Campaign Diary):

Enemy: Fighters – 1 confirmed; Bombers – 2 unconfirmed.
Own: 2 Spitfires (both 74 Squadron)