Manning was involved in a dogfight with German planes on Easter morning, April 1, 1945, over the Danube river in Austria.

The Tuskegee Airmen were escorting B-24 bombers on a bombing mission to the town of St. Polten, Austria.

On the return trip to their base at Ramitelli Air Field in Italy, the group spotted enemy planes near Wels, Austria.

On April 3, 1945, a mob of civilians, agitated by SS troops and abetted by Luftwaffe officers, broke into the jailhouse and tied Manning's hands behind his back.

Suspects were identified, including two German officers believed to be part of the Werwolf guerrilla group.

[4] In 2013, the Austrian historians Nicole-Melanie Goll and Georg Hoffmann carried out a research project together with Jerry Whiting to examine the fates of downed Allied airmen, including Manning.

[1][11][12] As a result of their findings, the Austrian Army raised a commemoration plaque at the place where Manning was murdered.