Page 168 - KBHA BULLETIN 6

guns had proved ineffective against enemy fighters equipped with cannons and self-sealing

fuel tanks. (Figs. 3.31 – 3.33.)

The British Ministry of Information feted Nettleton and his crews at a large function

attended by representatives of all the Dominion countries and pressmen from most of the
non-Nazi occupied world. In a terse speech he said "I'm far more apprehensive of facing

this audience than of any raid." A similar function was hosted by the Union High
Commissoner Mr. S. F. Waterson at South Africa House.

A week later, on 28 April 1942, the Cape Times reported that Nettleton had been awarded
the Victoria Cross, the first to be awarded to a South African in World War 2. Numerous

DFCs, DFMs and a DSO were awarded to other of the airmen. Nettleton’s citation stated

that he had “displayed unflinching determination as well as leadership and valour of the
highest order.” The investiture took place at Buckingham Palace and was attended by his

grandmother and aunt. At the S.A.T.S. General Botha the news was greeted with acclaim
and celebrated with a sports-day for the ship’s company.

In early July he was invited to the United States as one of the “Heroes of the United

Nations”. The group consisted of highly decorated British and American servicemen and

they were welcomed at the White House by President and Mrs Roosevelt and by the
British Ambassador Lord Halifax, and feted by city crowds as they passed by in a

motorcade. In May he had become engaged to 21-year old Betty Isobel Havelock, a
WAAF Assistant Section Officer, and on his return from America they were married on 17

July at Mary Magdalene Church, Lincoln.

Early in 1943 he was promoted to Wing-Commander and given command of 44 Squadron.

On 12 July he led the squadron in a night raid on a munitions plant in Turin, northern Italy,
involving 295 Lancasters, of which 14 failed to return. On 16 July, a day before his first

wedding anniversary, he was reported missing. Later information indicated that the

returning bombers were intercepted by FW 190s off the Brest peninsula at around 06h30

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