This day during The Battle of Britain, Day 12.
By R.T. Bickers
Sunday, July 21:
Fine at first, becoming cloudy, then fine in the evening.
Day: Raids on convoys in the Channel during one of which three squadrons drove off 20 Ju 87s and Bf 109s.
Night: Merryside bombed.
Aircraft losses: RAF 6, Luftwaffe 7.
Hitler summoned his Commanders-in-Chief to consider plans for invasion. the Army would not garruntee success unless the Navy transported 40 divisions across the Channel. the Navy accepted responsibility for only 10.
Generalfeldmarschal Halder, Chief of the Army General Staff, condemned this as suicidal. Goering declared that, given five days of good weather, he could such damage to the RAF that 10 divisions would suffice. On this assumption, the meeting settled details about logistics; and the administration of subjugated Britain, down to the value of curreny. And it was now that the decision was taken to remove forcibly all British males between 17 and 45 to exile. But Hitler still seemed to have doubts. "The invasion of England is a audacious venture. Although crossing will be short, we are not contending with a river, but the open sea controlled by a well prepared enemy." he warned.
Goering sent a newly-promoted Field Marshals Kesserling and Sperrle, commanding Air Fleets II and III and ordered them to make plans. They in turn similarily charged th commanders of their Air Corps. There was a general agreement that first must come the demolition of the RAF.
Another account from Battle-of-Britain.com
21st July
Weather Forecast
Fine during early morning. Cloudy late morning & afternoon, but clearing later with the chance of thunderstorms.
Combat Report
The Sunday was quiet with only a few reconnaissance raids reported early on. About 1030hrs, Hurricanes of No: 238 Squadron intercepted and shot down a Me110 near Goodwood. The same Red Section of Hurricanes also shot down a Do17 over Dorset at about 1430hrs. At the same time, Hurricanes of No: 43 Squadron, along with another section of No: 238 Squadron, were in action against a large raid on a convoy south of the Isle of Wight by Do17's with Me109 & Me110 escorts.
Later in the afternoon, the weather closed in as storms developed across the south of England. Enemy activity subsided until during the night when raids dropping mines were reported in the Plymouth area and the Thames Estuary. Bombs were dropped near Derby, Tyneside and Driffield.
Statistics
R.A.F. Losses: 4 aircraft damaged or destroyed with 1 pilot killed.
Luftwaffe Losses: 14 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 18 pilots & aircrew killed or missing and 6 wounded.
NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and other accidents.
He 111 Bomber production film
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85paLAFx8tQ
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEIKdc3W5_o
From R.T. Bicker's BOB
British Ack-Ack Battery at night which was generally ineffectual.
Presumably Hitler's biggest mistake of the war in not taking out the Chain Home radar sites,
Heinkel He 111P-6
A Bf 110C-4 reconnaissance-fighter formerly of 4.(F)/14 that was forced down at Goodwood on July 21, 1940, and subsequentlt repaired with parts salvaged from another crashed example.
Shay
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Semper Fortis
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