Keith Park, Air Officer Commanding 11 Group, ignored powerful fighter patrols intended to clear the sky before the bombers. Galland's ran into 64 Squadron and depleted their fuel and ammunition and were not in a position to assist the Dornier Do 17s of "Kampfgeschwader" 2 (KG 2—2nd Bomber Wing). Without fighter escorts the bombers were forced to abandon the mission. KG 3, escorted by other fighter units damaged the airfields at Rochester and RAF Hornchurch; JG 26 made 13 claims but 8 remained unconfirmed. Twenty four hours later, Ebbighausen was killed in action with 266 Squadron, though the RAF Squadron was destroyed (losing six)<!Is this the squadron destroyed or a flight?--> when an unidentified Bf 109 unit intervened. JG 26 served in the 18 August battles now known as The Hardest Day, claiming nine for the loss of two pilots.