Sergeant John F MacManus

Karl Mertz was born in 1915 in Düsseldorf. At a certain point he emigrated to Britain where he went to school at St. Joseph College in London.

After completing his studies, he found work in construction.

In October 1939, he appeared before an enemy alien tribunal which exempted him from internment and restrictive measures.

On 8 April 1942, Karl joined the Pioneer Corps before transferring to the Army Air Corps a year later.

He was successfully jump trained at RAF Ringway, on course 61B/62. This course ran between 26 April and 4 May 1943. The report states "This course was withdrawn for operational reason, after 5 descents".

His instructors at described Karl as : "Excellent man all round". 

He was a German Jew and as such was assigned a new military ID number and changed his name by deed poll to John Frederick MacManus.

He was assigned to 1st Platoon of 21st Independent Parachute Company, with which he served in North Africa, Italy, Arnhem, Norway, and Palestine. Karl joined the Reserves 6 November 1946.

After the war, Karl found work in the oil industry. In 1980, he retired and moved to France with his wife Marcelle. He died in 1997.

(Profile information based on documents and photographs supplied by Jory Brentjens and his excellent book “Fled to Fight”)