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Wing Commander JOHN DERING NETTLETON

Service Number: 41452
Regiment & Unit/Ship

Royal Air Force

44 Sqdn.

Date of Death

Died 13 July 1943

Age 26 years old

Buried or commemorated at

RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

Panel 118.

United Kingdom

Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Headstone Placeholder
  • Country of Service United Kingdom
  • Awards Victoria Cross, Twice Mentioned in Despatches
  • Additional Info Son of John Hennah Nettleton and Ethel Nettleton; husband of Betty Isobel Nettleton, of Paignton, Devon.
  • Additional Citation note

    The London Gazette for 24th April, 1942, contains the following particulars: Squadron-Leader Nettleton was the leader of a bomber formation detailed to attack, in daylight on 17th April, 1942, the Diesel engine factory at Augsburg in Germany, a target of high military importance. To reach it and return meant a flight of one thousand miles over hostile territory. German fighters attacked, and only the leading bomber and one other remained to fly to the still distant target. Squadron-Leader Nettleton, with great spirit and almost defenceless, brought these two remaining aircraft, mostly at only fifty metres above the ground, to Augsburg, where they encountered intense anti-aircraft fire. Through fire from point-blank range, bombs were dropped on the target. The second aircraft was hit, burst into flames, and crash-landed. The leading aircraft, though riddled with holes, flew safely back to base, the only one of six to return. Squadron-Leader Nettleton, who has successfully undertaken many other hazardous operations, displayed unflinching determination as well as leadership and valour of the highest order.

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