Battle of Britain (August 1940)

German Luftwaffe Junker Ju-87 Pilot

18^th August 1940

Finally, Adlerangriff has arrived! In July, the Luftwaffe monitoring service and the German Post Office established listening units along the Channel Coast, and so have come to realize that the mysterious, 350 feet tall, masts along the English coast are the source of the radio activity along the area.

Our Commander has notified us, that these radio-telephone ground stations control the RAF bombers and so they can only fly within a certain perimeter of their respective stations. This is good news, as it means that the attacks we could expect to encounter would be limited to local fighters. General Martini, Chief of Luftwaffe Signals, has ordered attacks on those Funkstationen mit Sonderanlagen (Radio Stations with special installations), and the eve of Adlertag has been dedicated to the bombing of these radio stations. The success of this operation will act as further confirmation of General Martini’s prediction.

The newly formed Erpobungsgruppe 210, flight evaluation group, has been tasked to pinpoint bombing attack on the four radio stations. This new group is highly skilled and although I’ve heard that their original task was to evaluate the Messerschmitt Me 210A-O under battle conditions, they have been tasked to head this important operation. Their aircraft, the Bf110s showcased their fighter-bomber capabilities by attacking all four radio station targets. I simply cannot imagine being in their position! Having their task changed at the last minute, thankfully they seem to be well prepared enough!

Despite our efforts, reports that the British radio stations have not ceased their signals and none of the masts have been destroyed are causing us much worry. There is confusion among us, as there seems to be no clear target that must be destroyed at all costs. Initially it was the RAF fighter command, but the way to do so was also unconfirmed if it should be done by bombing, or by bringing its fighters to battle in the air. We do not have a comprehensive understanding of the RAF’s defensive system, and I fear that this may cost us victory in this Operation.

On the 15^th, 2 Staffeln of von Brauchitsch’s Ju-87s were assigned to dive-bomb the RAF airfield at Hawkinge and more were to attack Lympne. However, in the South but the Ju-87s are too vulnerable and despite the protection provided by the Bf 109s there have been serious casualties to our squadron.

The attacks on radio stations have been futile and I hope that Goring has a better strategy up his sleeve. Right now, the British seem to be too strong and their intelligence network too superior.