John Dering Nettleton | |
---|---|
Born | Nongoma, Natal Province, South Africa | 28 June 1917
Died | 13 July 1943 near Brest, France | (aged 26)
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service | Royal Air Force |
Years of service | 1938–1943 |
Rank | Squadron leader |
Unit | |
Battles / wars | Second World War |
Awards | Victoria Cross Mentioned in Despatches (2) |
John Dering Nettleton, VC (28 June 1917 – 13 July 1943) was a South African officer in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He is most famous for leading the Augsburg raid, a daylight attack against the MAN U-boat engine plant in Augsburg on 17 April 1942. For his role in this mission he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.