During the night, one Ju88 was destroyed by a Defiant of No 141 Squadron. AA guns claim to have destroyed 5 enemy aircraft but only two of these have so far been confirmed. The Country was not free of raids at the close of this report. Five aircraft of which four pilots are safe. During the day of 17th September - 121 patrols involving 544 sorties.
Biggin Hill is serviceable with caution.
Bombs were also dropped during the night in most of the Southern Counties of England, in Glasgow, South Wales and in Liverpool where some damage and casualties were caused. Several large bombs, or mines, about 8 ft. long and 2 ft. in diameter, have been dropped by parachute n various districts in London, Kent and Essex during the night. Most of these are unexploded and the Admiralty, which is investigating, advises that no metal be brought near, and all vibration avoided in their vicinity. The explosion of one of these appears to produce very severe blast and one report states that plate glass was broken over a mile away. At 1505 hours a single enemy aircraft attacked Roote's Factory, but without success.