[Peter Cook]

Thank you for the responses Roundway,

I have also doubted the evidence for the first raid on Biggin on the 31st, but the following extract from the RAF Fighter Command Battle of Britain Campaign Diary - Saturday, 31 August 1940, clearly describes two attacks, with Biggin Hill suffering 'some damage' in the first.

"At 1235 hours fifty plus aircraft approached Dover of which thirty aircraft flew inland towards Biggin Hill and Kenley at 10,000 feet. The remaining twenty turned back at Dover but reappeared at Deal as fifty aircraft and crossed the Coast in three waves followed by two smaller formations flying towards Biggin Hill and Kenley. Biggin Hill suffered some damage. At about 1320 hours fifty plus aircraft were over Hornchurch and Debden plus aircraft were over Hornchurch and Debden at 15/20,000 feet. Two further raids followed in Kent and two in the Thames Estuary. By 1350 hours the attackers began to disperse.

...At 1800 hours six raids crossed the Coast between North Foreland and Hastings. One of these attacked Hornchurch and the others Biggin Hill, Northolt, Kenley and other objectives in Kent. Another raid of fifty aircraft flew into the Estuary. Altogether some two hundred enemy aircraft wee involved. The raids drew off at 1900 hours."

Peter