7 Sept. 1940: The Luftwaffe launches the first major raid of "The Blitz"--a series of raids on London starting in daylight but quickly switching to nighttime because of high losses, like the 41 bombers downed on 7 Sept. The attacks continued for 57 consecutive days.

ILLUSTRATIONS: (1) Hurricanes bring down a Do-17Z over the Thames River in London on 7 Sept. 1940. (2) Bombers' Moon: Do-17Zs over London during The Blitz. (3) 610 Sqdn. Spitfires attack KG53 He-111H-16s over London on 7 Sept. 1940. (4) An He-111 gunner defends against attacking Spitfires. (5) An 85 Sqdn. Hurricane dives into a KG55 He-111 formation over London. (6) JG26 Bf-109Es come to the aid of Ju-88s high above London. (7) Wing Cdr. Douglas Bader leads his 12 Group Hurricanes into a swarm of attacking German bombers and fighters headed for London, 15 Sept 1940. (8) Plt. Off. Basil Stapleton tangles with an Me-109E in his Spitfire I over the Thames.