28/08/2026
✈️ EAGLE DAY AT EASTCHURCH – 13TH AUGUST 1940
Following our recent post about the Gordon Bennett Aviation Race, Rosemary from the museum got back in touch with another fascinating piece of our Island’s aviation history.
On 13th August 1940, RAF Eastchurch came under attack from the German Luftwaffe, resulting in the tragic loss of 14 service personnel.
The Germans called the day Adlertag – “Eagle Day”. Over a ten-hour period, attacks took place across Essex, Kent, Sussex and Hampshire, with the Luftwaffe flying 1,485 sorties and Fighter Command responding with 727.
At Eastchurch, the attack began shortly after 7am, with more than 100 high-explosive and incendiary bombs dropped on the airfield. Hangars were hit, aircraft and am******on destroyed, the airmen’s quarters badly damaged and casualties taken to the County Council Hospital at Minster.
The painting pictured, ‘Adler Tag’ by artist Paul Durtnall, depicts the raid on RAF Eastchurch.
The other photos are ones we took on a visit to the museum and for us they really bring the history home. To stand there and see the damage still visible in the brickwork all these years later is quite something!
We drive around Sheppey every day, often completely unaware of the history sitting right under our noses.
Eastchurch has an extraordinary place in British aviation history, and Eagle Day is another reminder that events of national importance happened right here on our Island.
A big thank you to Rosemary & Maritn for getting back in touch and sharing the information with us after the Gordon Bennett post. We absolutely love discovering more about the history of the place we call home. ❤️
Sometimes history isn’t behind glass – it’s still there in the walls.
Visit Eastchurch Aviation Museum to learn more about aviation history right here on Sheppey ✈
