side, on a track some 30 degrees to their west. Bradfield was confident he was on the correct course. He had a good visual, and his position had been confirmed with a strong signal from Gee. The Lancasters to their west were too near the coast. Bradfield's aircraft signalled, but they received no response. At about 6:30 am the group of Lancasters with Nettleton were intercepted by German day fighters that had been scrambled from their base south of Brest. Among the Lancaster losses from the mission, three aircraft were known to have been shot down over the Bay of Biscay, while six more were lost without a trace. Nettleton and his crew were among the losses. Their bodies were never recovered. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Legacy Following the war the government of Southern Rhodesia named a new school after Squadron Leader Nettleton: Nettleton Junior School, Braeside, Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia (present-day Harare, Zimbabwe). On 2 March 1994, a Junior Rank accommodation block was formally opened at RAF Shawbury under the name of Nettleton. A commemorative plaque is located inside detailing Nettleton's life and service. References Citations Bibliography External links Portrait and short biography of Squadron Leader John Dering Nettleton, VC, alliedairforcesmonument.org; accessed 7 December 2014. The Augsberg Raid – Official RAF history, raf.mod.uk; accessed 7 December 2014. 1917 births 1943 deaths Royal Air Force squadron leaders South African World War II recipients of the Victoria Cross Royal Air Force recipients of the Victoria Cross Aviators killed by being shot down Royal Air Force personnel killed in World War II White South African people People from Natal South African emigrants to the United Kingdom