16 AUGUST 1940, 85th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION 

On August 16th 1940, the Luftwaffe, using Stuka dive bombers conducted a series of raids on the South Coast, attacking RAF Tangmere at approximately 13:00.  This raid resulted in the loss of 1 Pilot, 11 ground crew and 3 civilians. 

To commemorate these events, Tangmere Military Aviation Museum is holding an event. We will be sounding the air raid sirens at 13:00 before a two-minute silence, after which we will sound the sirens again for ‘All Clear’. This will be followed by a short memorial service in our Memorial Garden.    

Timetable of Events 16 August 2025  

11:00 – 12:30 Walk from TMAM to the Control Tower, Halifax Memorial, Tangmere Cottage & St Mary’s Church, then back to TMAM.  

13:00 Air raid siren sounds indicating start of two-minute silence.  

13:01 Two minute silence in remembrance of those who died.  

13:03 Air raid siren sounds indicating end of two-minute silence.  

13:05 – 13:09 Walk to Memorial Garden.  

13:10 Memorial Service conducted by Revd Trevor Marshall.  

13:20 Laying of wreaths at Memorial Stones.  

13:30 “At the going down of the Sun and in the morning we will remember them” Read by Museum Director, Colin Smart  

13:40 Ceremony ends, disperse for refreshments.  

14:00  Talk in the Neville Duke Hall , A LONG WEEKEND IN AUGUST, RAF TANGMERE AND THE 16th – 18th AUGUST 1940