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Mansfield, Nelson Reuben

Date of death:
January 14th, 1944
Buried on:
Commonwealth War Cemetery Bergen op Zoom
Plot: 29. Row: B. Grave: 2.
Service number:
43707
Nationality:
New Zealander (1907-1947, Dominion UK)

Biography

Lancaster ND35, piloted by Nelson Mansfield took at 16:45 hour’s part of a force of 498 aircraft detailed to bomb aircraft component and other armament manufacturing facilities in and around the city of Brunswick.
In the region of Bremen, the bombers were met by many German night fighters infiltrating the stream. In all, 38 aircraft were lost during the raid which turned out to be very unsuccessful in terms of damage to the target and the loss of so many aircrews.

Nelson Mansfield was 31 years old.

Promotions:
June 8th, 1940: Pilot Officer
April 6th, 1941: Flying Officer
June 8th, 1942: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Squadron Leader
Unit:
No. 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force (No. 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force)
Awarded on:
October 22nd, 1943
Citation:
"This officer has undertaken a large number of sorties during which many well defended and far distant targets have been attacked with success. His efforts have been featured by outstanding determination, while on more than one occasion his great skill has been responsible for the safe return of his aircraft in the face of difficulties.
Squadron Leader Mansfield has at all times displayed great devotion to duty."
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Squadron Leader
Awarded on:
June 2nd, 1943
Mentioned in Dispatches

Sources

  • Photo: Hans Molier, The Netherlands
  • - The London Gazette Issue 34881 published on the 25 June 1940
    - The London Gazette Issue 35222 published on the 18 July 1941
    - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36033 published on the 28 May 1943
    - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35634 published on the 14 July 1942
    - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36219 published on the 19 October 1943
    - Auckland Museum - Cenotaph
    - Aircrew Remembrance Society