Nine Dornier Do17 bombers of the 9th Staffel took off from Cormeilles-En-Vexin, North of Paris, shortly before Midday on 18th August, 1940. RAF Kenley was their target. A summary of the crews and their fates.
Rolf Von Pebal's personal account and photographs of the raid, taken from the Dornier Do.17 flown by Feldwebel Reichel, 9th Staffel/KG76.
This is a brief outline of the planes that took part in the attack on and defence of the airfields defending London and south-east England on Sunday 18 August 1940, specifically RAF Kenley.
I spent most of the years between 1945 and 2012 living at 170 Whyteleafe Hill opposite "the aerodrome" as everyone called it.
Attack Alarm is an espionage novel written by author Hammond Innes, who was stationed at Kenley as an anti-aircraft gunner during the Battle of Britain. Not a great deal is known about Innes’s service in the Royal Artillery between 1940-1946, but his book written and published during the war offers an invaluable and detailed account based on his time at Kenley, most notably the devastating attack on 18 August 1940, Kenley’s Hardest Day.
Aircraftman Roberts brought down a Dornier Do.17 using Kenley's Parachute and Cable system - the first time the weapon was used successfully.
Author and historian, Melynda Jarratt has been researching the history of Canadian War Brides since 1987. She wrote a book on the subject and dedicated it in part to her friend Doris Lloyd, who served at Kenley during the Battle of Britain. Here is her story....
On 18th August, 1940, RAF Kenley was singled out for a complicated pincer attack, by Bomber Geshwader 76, which, if it had been successful, would have put the airfield out of action.
In the early 1950's, Caterham lad, Cedric Wort must have felt that he was on familiar ground when he heard the news that he was going to be posted to Kenley, as part of his National Service with the RAF.
I was at school when war against Germany was declared by Neville Chamberlain in September 1939. It followed that I was on holiday during that summer of 1940 when the destiny of Britain, and of the free world, was being decided in the blue sky over southern England.
I’d like to tell the story of my great grandfather William Battle, who is on my mothers side of the ...
An August 18th 1940 Kenley raid story. In 1940 my mother was living with her parents in Oak Road, Caterham. ...
On 15th September 1939, Marjorie was one of the first women in her area to sign up. She joined the WAAF and was posted to Kenley Aerodrome.
As part of the Kenley Revival Oral History Project, we have interviewed speial people with memories of Kenley during World ...
Ted Ballam's childhood memories of RAF Kenley
How does a system, originally designed as a maritime rescue apparatus, end up on Fighter Command airfields in 1940?
On the 80th anniversary of 'The Hardest Day,' The Royal Air Force Association, together with members of the local community, gathered at St. Luke's churchyard, Whyteleafe, to remember the RAF personnel killed at RAF Kenley on 18th August, 1940.
The Luftwaffe's attack on RAF Kenley, on 18th August, 1940, was a risky venture, depending on pin-point accuracy and timing. Here is how Fighter Command countered the raids.
Jim Crofts, who was stationed in Kenley as a Clerk in 1940, remembers one particular day during his service.
It is tempting to think that we have nothing more to learn about 'The Hardest Day,' but somehow, one of Kenley's heroes has been overlooked, a Warrant Officer who was honoured for bomb disposal work which was pivotal in keeping Kenley operational during this vital stage of the Battle of Britain.
