Allied Losses and Incidents: All Commands

Allied Air Forces Losses and Incidents Database.

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Data derived from many sources. Incorporates 125,000 entries from Aircrew Deaths 39-47 Database. Corrections/Additions welcomed via Helpdesk

NOTE ON DATES: IMPORTANT: For consistency, the Date is given as the date the mission TOOK OFF since the precise time of a loss is not always certain. Take Off date is unambigous and fixed in the official records, but obviously in those cases where the incident occurred before midnight UK time, then the Take Off Date will be the same as the Incident Date. Of course, most Bomber Command missions flew through midnight, therefore a Luftwaffe claim against a plane - or a locally generated crash report - may record the incident as occurring on the day following our Take Off Date. Bear this in mind when cross-referencing to our Luftwaffe Victories by Name/Date Database and other Luftwaffe sources. In some cases other sources may quote the date following our date, using locally generated reports as their source. To add to the potential for confusion, remember to take into account a Luftwaffe recorded date will be in local time, 1 hour ahead of UK time. When we discover a validated Incident Date we change our record if necessary.

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Thanks to Personnel of the Polish Air Force in Great Britain for supplementary data and images (marked with a chequerboard device) related to the Polish Air Force, and many images courtesy of our respected colleagues Wojtek Matusiak and Robert Gretzyngier. Other images from our own archives.
Responding to requests that respects may be paid in this database to a loved one or friend, or someone you want to recognize, an In Memoriam plaque may now be placed next to any entry. See our Donate Page for details. Search for In Memoriam in this database to see examples of plaques which have been placed.

Polish Air Force personnel have a supplementary database containing more information and many more entries. Check the following:
Personel Polskich Sił Powietrznych posiada dodatkową bazę danych zawierającą więcej informacji i wiele innych wpisów. Sprawdź następujące elementy:
Archiwum: PSP 1939 -1947 Database 17,000+ Polish Air Force Entries
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You searched for: “stevens and SAAF”

#	Name* SORT (↑)	First Names	Rank	RAF Equivalent Rank	Service No.	Born	Nationality	Role	Awards	Air Force	Unit	DateofIncident *See Note SORT (↑)	Aircraft	Base	Mission	Incident	Fate	Commemorated	Notes	Links/Archive Reports
1	Stevens	H J	Lieutenant		178231V	Age 24				SAAF	12Sqn	1945-09-23					Killed	Italy, Udine War Cemetery, IV. C. 3.	Son Of James C. And Gwendoline S. Stevens, Of Seymour, Cape Province, South Africa. May have died on 1945-09-24
2	Stevens	Steve				1919-08-27 Amesbury Dorset England	South Africa	Pilot	DFC	SAAF	19Sqn SAAF	1945-02-24	Beaufighter	Biferno Italy	Attack minelaying ship Kuckuck in Fiume harbour, Yugoslavia		Survived war. Died 2016-06-05 aged 95. RIP brave prince.		Trained in 1940 where he became a first class pilot and trained many SAAF pilots subsequently. Became operational in Middle East Theatre in 1944 with 227 Squadron RAF which was renumbered as 19 Squadron SAAF, based at Biferno in Italy. The squadron was deployed flying Beaufighters and was involved in operations in Italy, Greece and Yugoslavia until it was disbanded on 10 July 1945 after the end of the war. The attack on the minelayer Kuckuck was considered a 'Suicide' mission because Partisans had briefed Allies that the harbour was protected by 140 anti-aircraft guns.19Sqn CO Don Tilley devised a meticulous plan and together with precision flying by the crews the ship was sunk and all 4 Beaufighters made it home. Brilliant account. Iconic photo of Stevens' rockets fired at walled town of Zuzenberk held by Germans. Attacks by 8 Beaufighters from 19Sqn SAAF led to capture of town by Partisans the same day. Stevens flew 43 operations.	See entry for Don Tilley
3	Stevens	R J	Lieutenant		47431	Age 24			MiD	SAAF	12Sqn	1944-03-29					Killed	Poland, Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery, Coll. Grave 9. A.	Son Of Mr. And Mrs. G. R. Stevens, Of Cape Town, South Africa.
4	Stevens	Frederick Louis	Lieutenant		103980	Age				SAAF	5Sqn	1942-07-24					Killed	Egypt, Alamein Memorial, Column 267.
5	Stevens		Air Mechanic		100611	Age 36				SAAF		1941-09-07					Killed	South Africa, Kimberley (West End) Cemetery, E.C. Block C. Row G. Grave 15.	Son Of Timothy A. And Maria J.B. Stevens; Husband Of Margaret C Stevens, Of Kimberley.
6	Tilley	Don Pax	Major, Lt. Col	Sqd Ldr, Wng Cmdr			South Africa	Pilot	DSO DFC & Bar	SAAF	227Sqn		Beaufighter	Biferno	Attack minelaying Ship Kuckuck Fiume, Yugoslavia	Low level rocket attack	Survived war. Died 1978		Malta veteran Ace ship buster Lt. Col. Don Tilley was a Beaufort pilot seconded to the RAF. He was one of the 'Malta Boys' who flew daring anti-shipping strikes and was responsible for the damage and sinking of several enemy ships in the effort to defeat Rommel. Later in the war he became OC of 19Sqn SAAF in Italy which flew rocket firing Beaufighters and again was responsible for the sinking of an important German war ship. Joined the SAAF in late 1940. Seconded to RAF. Training in Scotland as a torpedo attack pilot. Then 39 squadron stationed in Malta. In 1942-43, Don perfected skills as anti-shipping pilot. A very hazardous occupation owing to heavy armour of ships and the necessity for close attacks. Flying slow Bristol Beaufort he was hit on several occasions but always came home. His torpedo hit in February 1943 on a 10,000 ton Italian fuel tanker cut Rommel's Afrika Korps off from its needed oil. Promoted twice and DFC twice for his ship-busting successes. He is the record holder (shared) in the RAF for confirmed torpedo hits on enemy shipping. In mid 1944 posted to the Middle East with RAF 227Sqn, later to be renamed as 19Sqn SAAF, stationed in Italy and equipped with rocket firing Beaufighters. Became OC in early 1945. Flew mostly ground attack and ship busting sorties all across the Adriatic. Shot down but helped by Tito's partisans to safely return to the squadron. Don's most famous achievement was the brilliantly planned and executed rocket strike on the German mine layer ship, the 'Kuckuck'. Sank this ship in Fiume harbour, Yugoslavia. An immediate DSO was awarded. See account of attack at Steve Steven's entry. Don flew a total of 40 operations with Beaufighters by the end of the war.