The Augsburg Raid, also referred to as Operation Margin, was a bombing raid made by the RAF on the MAN U-boat engine plant in Augsburg undertaken during the daylight hours of 17 April 1942. The mission was assigned to No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron and No. 97 Squadron, both of which were equipped with the new Avro Lancaster. The speed of the Lancaster and its large bombload capacity gave reason for optimism that the raid might succeed. It was the first of the attacks upon German industry in Augsburg.
Nettleton over England on his final practice run for the Augsburg raid
A Lancaster over Waddington airfield at the end of a practice mission
97 Squadron Lancasters over the English countryside on their way to a mock target in Scotland
Nettleton and crew sit for a portrait after surviving the Augsburg raid. Nettleton is seated, second from left.
Number 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron was an aviation unit of the Royal Air Force. It was active between 1917 and 1982. For most of its history it served as a heavy bomber squadron.
No. 44 Sqn Avro Lancaster B.I in flight, 29 September 1942
Sole surviving crew of 44 Squadron following the Augsburg raid. John Nettleton is sitting second from the left.
Avro Vulcan B.2 XM647 of No. 44 Squadron at RAF Greenham Common, 1980.
A memorial plaque in All Saints Church, Great Steeping, to the members of 44 Squadron who flew from RAF Spilsby