Most historians consider the Battle of Britain to have begun on this day. The Luftwaffe had been ordered to cut off all shipping in the Channel while plans were drawn up to invade England proper. When a British convoy was sighted on the 10th of July, the Germans launched twenty Dornier 17s of KG 2, escorted by twenty Bf 109s of JG 51, led by Condor Legion veteran Hptmn. Hannes Trautloft, and thirty Bf 110s of ZG 26. The British answered the challenge by committing two Hurricane and two Spitfire squadrons to intercept. A large battle ensued with losses to both sides.
