1940 St Katharine Docks, and the Tower of London raid (Hitler's World)

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Overview
Luftwaffe leadership appeared to be backing two overall strategies. Its round the clock bombing of London was an immediate attempt to force the British government to capitulate, but it was also striking at Britain's vital sea communications to achieve a victory through siege. Although weather was poor that week, heavy raids took place that afternoon on the London suburbs and the airfield at Farnborough. Late in the evening of 7 September, Albert Kesselring’s Luftflotte 2  launched a tactical bombing raid on  St Katharine Docks, and the Tower of London. A total of 34 bombers and 67 fighters including Messerschmitt Bf 109s and Messerschmitt Bf 110s took part in the attack. Another 247 bombers from Hugo Sperrle's Luftflotte 3 (Air Fleet 3) attacked that night. Hermann Göring had been interested in a more tactical approve to the London Blitz for quite a while and Albert Kesselring’s plan was exactly what he was looking for. Initially, the change in strategy caught the RAF off-guard and caused extensive damage and civilian casualties. Some 107,400 long tons (109,100 t) of shipping was damaged in the Thames Estuary and 1,600 civilians were casualties. The city's defences were rapidly reorganised by General Sir Frederick Pile, the Commander-in-Chief of Anti-Aircraft Command. The Boulton Paul Defiant night fighter was also put in to full production by early 1941.

Also see
Hitlers World