As August approached, the actions over the Channel increased in frequency and intensity. JG 26 returned to the Channel front, having been withdrawn for rest after the battle for France, to reinforce JG 51. In one of its first combats, the leader of III/JG 26, the recently-promoted Major Adolf Galland, led a force of new Bf 109E-4s into battle against Spitfires of No. 54 Squadron just as they were diving on Dornier bombers. A fierce melee resulted in both sides losing two fighters. Galland was one of the victors, scoring his 18th kill. His victim was P.O. Johnny Allen who had 8 kills to his credit when he was shot down and perished.
