The Battle of Britain Five Months That Changed History, May—October 1940 by James Holland (z-lib.org).epub

The next day, Thursday, 25 July, was fine for a change, warm with light
haze in the Channel; the rain of the previous day had gone – which was bad
news for the coastal convoy now forming up at Southend. Cloud at least
offered them some protection. The large ocean-going vessels might have
gone from the Channel, but there were still twenty-one colliers and
trampers in CW8 (Channel Westbound 8), and although the smallest ship
was just 351 tons, even the SS Jolly Nights would feel conspicuously large
when enemy bombers began diving down upon them.
Inevitably, the convoy had been sighted before it had even left the
Thames estuary, the news soon reaching VIII Fliegerkorps, and then the
headquarters of Sturzkampfgeschwader 1. By half-past one French time, the
whole of St.G 1 was airborne, including I/Stuka 1 based at Dinard, across
the mouth of the harbour from St Malo in Brittany. Commanding the 1st
Gruppe was 29-year-old Paul-Werner Hozzel, like Dolfo Galland also
newly promoted to major. Stuka 1 had already gained something of a
legendary status within the Luftwaffe. It had been the spearhead in Poland,
then Norway, and although it had only reached France at the end of June, it
was now leading the way with the Luftwaffe’s attempt to secure air
supremacy across the English Channel. Not only were its crews amongst
the most experienced in operating with Ju 87s, but they were also amongst
the most decorated – Paul had been one of four pilots from Stuka 1 to win
the Knight’s Cross back in May.
Despite being born and raised in Hamburg and having a shipbroker for a
father, Paul’s ambition had always been to join the army. As a concession to
his parents he had even completed his shipbroking training when, in 1931,
still aged twenty, he had applied and been accepted as an officer candidate
in the artillery. He had only just passed his officers’ examinations in
January 1934 when he and his sixty fellow officer candidates were given
the chance to join the clandestine air force. It had been a hard decision for
Paul. He felt loyalty to the regiment and he was not sure he wanted to give
up being a soldier. On the other hand, the increased pay plus the adventure
of flying were highly tempting. In the end, it was the pay, above all, that
lured him towards the Luftwaffe; a 75 per cent pay rise was not to be
sniffed at.
He soon discovered he had a natural aptitude for flying and having
completed his training was posted for fighter training. However, failure to