Tilley, Alfred John
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Alfred John |
Surname | Tilley |
Gender | M |
Age | 26 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 18-12-1939 |
Next of Kin | Son of Frederick and Lilian Tilley. Husband of Olive Tilley, of New Cross, London. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington IA |
Serial Number | N2935 |
Markings | LF-H |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Sage War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 7. B. 9. |
Epitaph | HE LIVES FOR EVER IN THE HEARTS OF US WHO LOVED HIM |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 254 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 513966 |
Service | Royal Air Force |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 37 |
Trade | Observer |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Miscellaneous Information
Shot down, crashing in the sea off Schillig Point |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 18-12-1939 |
End Date | 18-12-1939 |
Takeoff Station | Feltwell |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Daylight attack on shipping off Wilhelmshaven by 24 Wellingtons |
Reason for Loss | Picked up early by an experimental German Freya radar on the island of Wangerooge and, in clear conditions, were scattered by accurate flak and then attacked by fighters. Twelve of the 22 aircraft which had reached the target area were shot down for 2 German fighters. This operation, together with an earlier and similarly disasterous operation on 14th December, had a profound effect on British bomber policy and did much to dispel the myth that bombers in a tight formation would always be safe from attacking fighters. |