POSTHUMOUS V.G.

Evening Star, Issue 24334, 24 October 1942, Page 6

POSTHUMOUS V.G.

AIRMAN'S GREAT VALOUR BATTLE T« SAVE BOMBER (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 11a.m.) RUGBY. Oct. 23. The Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously to Flying-oflicor S. T. Manser. R.A.F.Y.R., for “ determination and valour of the highest order ” during the mass raid on Cologne on the night of May 30 last. Manser was the captain and first pilot of a Manchester bomber which, when approaching the objective, was caught by searchlights and subjected, ; to intense A.A. fire. Mauser held on a dangerous course and bombed t>a target successfully from 7,000 ft. Then he set a course for Ills base. 'The iplano had been damaged, and was still under heavy fire. Manser took violent evasive action, descending to under I,oooft. but without avail, because the searchlights and flak followed him. The aircraft was repeatedly hit, the rear gunner was wounded, and the front cabin filled with smoke, the port engine over-heating badly. The pilot and crew could all have escaped safely by parachute, but Mauser persisted in his attempt to save the aircraft and crew. The port engine burst into flames, and it was 10 minutes before the fire was mastered, but the engine wont out of action for good. One wing was burnt, and their speed became dangerously low, the plane losing height. Manser set a new course for the nearest base, and when a crash was inevitable ordered the crow to bale out. A sergeant handed him a parachute, but he waved it away; telling tbte sergeant to jump at once, as he could only hold the aircraft steady a few seconds more. While the crew were descending safely they saw the Manchester, still carrying its gallant captain, plunge to earth and burst into flames.