AIRMAN GIVEN V.C.

Southland Times, Issue 24885, 27 October 1942, Page 3

AIRMAN GIVEN V.C.

Bravery After Cologne Raid (8.0.W.) RUGBY, October 23. The Victoria Cross has been awarded posthumously to Flying Officer S. T. Manser, R.A.F.V.R., for “determination and valour of the highest order” during the mass raid on Cologne on the night of May 30. Flying Officer Manser was captain and first pilot of a Manchester bomber which, when approaching its objective, was caught by the searchlights and subjected to intense antiaircraft fire.

Flying Officer Manser held on his dangerous course, bombed the target successfully from 7000 feet and then set a course for his base. The plane had been damaged and was still under heavy fire. He took violent evasive action, descending to under 1000 feet, but without avail because the searchlights and anti-aircraft fire followed him. The aircraft was repeatedly hit, the rear-gunner wounded, the front cabin filled with smoke and the port engine overheating badly. The pilot and crew could all have escaped safely by parachute, but Flying Officer Manser persisted in his attempt to save the aircraft and the crew. The port engine burst into flames and it was 10 minutes before the fire was mastered. The engine, however, went out of action for good. One wing was burned and the speed became dangerously low and the plane lost height. Flying Officer Manser set a new course for the nearest base and, when a crash was inevitable, ordered the crew to bale out. A sergeant handed him a parachute, but he waved it away, telling the 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 the gallant captain plunge to earth and burst into flames.