Leslie Thomas Manser
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| Leslie Thomas Manser | |
|---|---|
| 11 May 1922 – 31 May 1942) | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Rank | Flying Officer |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Leslie Thomas Manser VC (11 May 1922 -31 May 1942) was a 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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He was 20 years old, and a Flying Officer in No. 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 30 May 1942 over Germany, Flying Officer Manser was captain and first pilot of an Avro Manchester bomber which took part in the first 1,000 bomber raid of the war; the raid being against the city of Cologne. He bombed the target successfully but the aircraft was hit repeatedly, the rear gunner was wounded, the front cabin filled with smoke and the port engine was overheating. Flying Officer Manser was determined to save his aircraft and crew from falling into enemy hands and it was not until he knew that a crash was inevitable that he gave the order to bale out. As the crew parachuted down, they saw the bomber, still carrying their captain, crash in flames.
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Brother-in-law of Captain John Neil Randle, VC.
On part of the old RAF Skellingthorpe airfield where Manser flew his last sortie from a new Primary School was built. It was opened in 1981 and named The Leslie Manser Primary School after Flying Officer Leslie Manser.[1]
On the 31st of June 2004, a Memorial to F/Off. Leslie Manser VC., RAFVR. 50 Squadron - Royal Air Force was unveiled in natural domain the "Zig", Stamprooierbroek near Molenbeersel, Kinrooi in the north-east of Belgium.
[edit] References
- British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Ken Holmes, Dl Coombs
