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(Wednesday, July 10, 1940, 2:00 p.m. BST; during the Battle of Britain, part of the Western Front of World War II) — The Battle of Britain, a military campaign in which the Royal Air Force (RAF) defended the United Kingdom (UK) against large-scale attacks by Nazi Germany’s air force, the Luftwaffe, began today as the Luftwaffe attacked coastal targets and shipping convoys in the English Channel.

On this first day, 24 German bombers and 50 or more fighters attacked a large convoy (codenamed “Bread”) in the Straits of Dover, escorted by 6 RAF Hurricanes.

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4 RAF squadrons in Southeast England were scrambled and a 30 minute dogfight ensued (RAF loses 3 fighters and Flying Officer Tom Higgs of 111 Squadron is killed; Germans lost 4 planes including 2 Dornier bombers). 1 ship in the convoy is sunk.

Meantime, 70 German bombers attacked docks at Swansea, South Wales and Falmouth, Cornwall, where British tanker Tascalusa was sunk.