Head on attack on bombers

26th August 1940: Casualties mount for RAF pilots as they make desperate attacks to disrupt Luftwaffe bombing raids

Hawker Hurricanes of No. 85 Squadron in flight, October 1940.

As the Luftwaffe's intensive assault on Britain's air defences continued, the RAF had to develop tactics that avoided unnecessary air combat with enemy fighters and targeted the bombers.

Squadron Leader Peter Townsend¹ led No. 85 Squadron's Hurricanes into the attack on 26th August:

There was one…