John Dering Nettleton
Squadron Leader, 44 Squadron. Royal Air Force
- Register No.
- 922 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Squadron Leader all Squadron Leaders →
- Unit
- 44 Squadron. Royal Air Force (register: No. 44 Squadron RAF) all No. 44 Squadron RAF VCs →
- Date of action
- 17 April 1942 on this day → all of 1942 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- the 28th April 1942 on this day → all of 1942 →
- Born
- 28th June 1917 at Nongoma, Natal, South Africa
- Died
- in action, during a bombing flight to Turin in February
Digest of citation
Squadron Leader Nettleton was leading one of the two formations of six Lancaster bombers that had been detailed to attacking diesel engine factory at Augsburg, Germany, on 17th April 1942. On crossing into enemy territory they were attacked by 25-30 German fighters. After the attack only two aircraft remained, the others having been shot down. The two aircraft continued on their course to the target at a height of around 50 ft above the ground. At Augsburg, they were greeted by intense anti-aircraft fire from almost point-blank range. They managed to drop their bombs on the target, but the second aircraft was hit and after bursting into flames, crash-landed. Squadron Leader Nettleton's aircraft was the only one of its formation to return safely
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
NETTLETON, John Dering. (reg No. 922).
Squadron Leader. 44 Squadron. Royal Air Force.
London Gazetted on the 28th April 1942.
Born on 28th June 1917 at Nongoma, Natal, South Africa.
Killed in action, during a bombing flight to Turin in February 1944. No known grave, but has an inscription on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.
Digest of Citation reads: Squadron Leader Nettleton was leading one of the two formations of six Lancaster bombers that had been detailed to attacking diesel engine factory at Augsburg, Germany, on 17th April 1942. On crossing into enemy territory they were attacked by 25-30 German fighters. After the attack only two aircraft remained, the others having been shot down. The two aircraft continued on their course to the target at a height of around 50 ft above the ground. At Augsburg, they were greeted by intense anti-aircraft fire from almost point-blank range. They managed to drop their bombs on the target, but the second aircraft was hit and after bursting into flames, crash-landed. Squadron Leader Nettleton's aircraft was the only one of its formation to return safely.
Additional information:. He was promoted to Wing Commander and carried out several more operations with great courage.
Additional information
He was promoted to Wing Commander and carried out several more operations with great courage.
1944.
No known grave, but has an inscription on the Runnymede Memorial,
Surrey.
Places connected with Nettleton
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