Lt. Helmut Lepper JG5

[jtully]

SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS IN WORLD WAR 2 AND MISSING WITH
NO KNOWN GRAVE.
404189 Flying Officer TULLY, John Leahy
Source:
NAA: A705, 163/59/64
Aircraft Type: Spitfire
Serial number: AA 800
Radio call sign:
Unit: 1 Photo Reconnaissance RAF
Summary:
Spitfire AA 800 of No 1 Photo Reconnaissance Sqn RAF took off from RAF Station
Wick, Scotland, at 1347 hours on 30 July 1942, to carry out an operational photo recce
over the Bergen area, Norway. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it
did not return to base.
The aircraft was plotted on the outward journey until 1437 hours when AA 800 was at
24000 feet, 170 miles and on a bearing 070deg from Wick. At this time AA 800 passed
out of range. Five hours later at 1937 hours, an unidentified aircraft was plotted flying at
1000 feet 11 miles east of Whalsay Island (Shetlands), and at 1949 hours this same
aircraft was identified as hostile and 20 miles E of Lerwick. Spitfires were scrambled to
intercept but could find no trace of the enemy aircraft.
At the same time as the AA 800 limit of endurance was 1950 hours, an Air Sea rescue
search for AA 800 was carried out in the same area but no trace of wreckage or dinghy
was found.
Crew:
RAAF 404189 FO Tully, J L (Pilot)
In 1949, it was recorded that FO Tully had lost his life at sea.