John Dering Nettleton

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Squadron Leader John Dering Nettleton VC (June 28, 1917- July 13, 1943) was a Rhodesian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

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Born on June 28, 1917 in Nongoma, Natal, South Africa, Nettleton was 24 years old, and a squadron leader in the No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron, Royal Air Force during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On April 17, 1942 Squadron Leader Nettleton was the leader of one formation of sixAvro Lancaster bombers on a daylight attack on a diesel engine factory at Augsburg, near Munich Germany. No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron was based at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire at this time and had taken delivery of Lancasters at Xmas 1941. A second flight of six Lancasters from No 97 Squadron based at RAF Woodhall Spa, close to Waddington, did not link up with the six from 44 squadron although they had ample time to do so before the aircraft left England by Selsey Bill, West Sussex.

Just after crossing the English Channel, german fighters, returning after a planned diversionary raid which had been organised to assist the bombers, attacked the 44 squadron aircraft after they passed near Dieppe and four Lancasters were shot down. Nettleton continued towards the target ( near Munich ) and his two remaining aircraft attacked the factory, bombing it amidst heavy anti aircraft fire.

Nettleton survived the incident, his Lancaster limping back to base.

Nettleton died on July 13, 1943, when he was shot down over the Bay of Biscay. His body was never recovered.

Nettleton's medal is not publicly held.

Following the war the government of Southern Rhodesia named a new school after Nettleton - Nettleton Junior School in the suburb of Braeside in Salisbury (now Harare). Despite the significance of Nettleton's acknowledged bravery in defending democracy and fighting Fascism, the government of Zimbabwe subsequently changed the name of this school, amongst many others, after Rhodesia became Zimbabwe. The school is now named after Tsitsi Munyati, a former Zimbabwean minister of education.