Alfred Lammer
|
Alfred Lammer DFC and Bar |
|
|---|---|
| Birth name | Alfred Ritter von Lammer |
| Born |
28 November 1909 Linz, Austria |
| Died | 4 October 2000 (aged 90) Southwark, London |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1940–1945 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Service number | 81940 |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | DFC and Bar |
| Other work | Photographer |
Squadron Leader Alfred Lammer DFC and Bar (28 November 1909 – 4 October 2000) was an Austrian-born pilot who flew with the Royal Air Force in World War II. He flew with RAF Fighter Command between 10 July and 31 October 1940, thereby qualifying for the Battle of Britain clasp to the 1939–45 campaign star. On the official Royal Air Force list of Battle of Britain combatants he is recorded as being stateless.
In later life he became a renowned photographer and teacher.
Born Alfred Ritter von Lammer in Linz, Austria, he was the son of a retired railway official and mother who ran both a travel shop and bank. Living near the Zell am See, Salzburg he became adept at rock climbing and skiing.
He attended universities in Munich and Innsbruck, and in 1933 joined the anti-Nazi Heimatschutz and Schutzcorps. Leaving Austria for London in 1934 he worked (using his mother's contacts) for the Austrian Travel Bureau.
When Nazi Germany instigated high taxes in tourists entering Germany from Austria his mother's firm collapsed. He took up photography, an interest that became a career later in his life.
With the declaration of war in September 1939, Lammer found himself to be stateless and classified as a "friendly enemy alien". He did not become a British citizen until 22 May 1941.
He applied to join the RAF, and passing the medical was granted an emergency commission in March 1940, for training as an Air Gunner. After initial training in Loughborough, Lammer went on a gunnery course at 9 BGS, Penrhos in April 1940. He joined No. 254 Squadron at Bircham Newton on 4 May and was then attached to 206 Squadron (Coastal Command), flying in Hudsons on convoy escort duty. In early July 1940 Lammer was posted to 5 OTU, Aston Down, and converted to Defiants before joining 141 Squadron at Prestwick.
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