Combat report of No. 238 Squadron for 17 July 1940

Combat reports were official documents detailing operational encounters with enemy aircraft. They convey both the mental strain of operations and the sense of excitement when victory claims were made.

On 17 July 1940, No. 238 Squadron’s Blue Section intercepted a raid over Portland. The section went in line astern, but immediately lost sight of their opponents, as they flew into the sun. This report, sent several hours later, provides a detailed description of the enemy aircraft, which it believed were three Junkers Ju 88s.