GALLANT FEATS RECALLED

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25878, 10 August 1949, Page 3

GALLANT FEATS RECALLED

Hie following are extracts from the official citations accompanying yesterday’s military awards:— Captain P. V. H. Maxwell, D.S.O. “Captain Maxwell was the officer commanding the right-hand company of the 20th Battalion in its attack on El Ruweisat Ridge on July 14 and 15, 1942. In the final assault on the objective shortly after daylight on the second day, stubborn resistance was encountered from the Germans, who were dug in with many machine-guns and mortars. The final assault was made with two platoons from each of the forward companies. It was carried out with the bayonet under heavy small .'arms fire at close range, both companies suffering heavy casualties. “The position was critical and Captain Maxwell, leading his own company, was the only one of the forward troops who was not wounded. He rallied the fit men of both companies and carried the objectives. With the arrival of the reserve platoons of each company, Captain Maxwell cleverly consolidated his men on the objective and drove off determined enemy counter attacks. He then prepared a good perimeter defence, taking over the north-west, north and north-east sections of the battalion area. “Under continually heavy artillery, mortar and machine-gun fire from tanks and concealed machine-guns, Captain Maxwell organised the defence of that area all day. He behaved with coolness and great personal bravery, cleverly bringing the men into a smaller perimeter as casualties occurred, thus keeping the front intact and unbroken. When the positions were finally over-run by the enemy and Captain Maxwell’s area attacked on three sides, he continually rallied his men to fight off the enemy who were on all sides. The last fighting in that area was with the men under Captain Maxwell’s personal command It was not till all the objective was over-run that he finally gave up. The

enemy casualties were particularly heavy in that area. Captain Maxwell was himself then taken prisoner.”

Lieutenant-Colonel A. M. Everist, D.S.O. “Major Everist’s squadron of tanks was ordered to capture the village of Perano on November 18, 1943. Major Everist had to do most of his reconnaissance on foot under heavy and accurate shell fire and over difficult ground. Later, after dark, when again carrying out a reconnaissance on foot, Major Everist encountered a camouflaged Spandau gun protected by a machine-gun post. The machine-gun post opened fire, wounding the officer who was accompanying him. Major Everist held his ground and shot the commander of the Spandau gun with his pistol. The enemy then hastily withdrew. “The success of this operation and the capture of Perano, which was a necessary preliminary to the Divisional attack across the Sangro, was largely due to Major Everist’s skilful leadership and personal gallantry.” Major M. Handyside, D.S.O. “During the attack on Monte Lignano on the night of July 15, 1944, Major Handy side’s company was the forward company in the advance. By his own reconnaissance during daylight he gained valuable information, and by skilful handling during the attack he was able to overcome determined enemy resistance. The following day, while his company was under heavy shell fire, he inspired his men at a difficult time by his courage and coolness. “In the attack on the hills overlooking Florence on the night of August 1, 1944, Major Handyside’s company was again one of the leading companies. In spite of determined resistance he personally led an attack into the main enemy position and silenced the opposition, ’ taking 30 prisoners. “During a daylight advance north

of Rimini on September 24, his company was held up by small arms fire. Major Handyside made his own reconnaissance and was able to give information which was of great value to the success of the attack that night.”

The Rev. L. F. F. Gunn, M.B.E. “Showing courage and outstanding devotion to duty when attached to the 20th Armoured Regiment, Padre Gunn often Went forward under fire, and on one occasion through an enemy minefield, to recover the wounded.” The Very Rev. A. K. Warren, M.C. “From the commencement of the campaign from the River Senio on the night of April 9, 1945, until he was wounded by enemy shell-fire at Padua on April 29, 1945, Padre Warren set a continuously fine example of cheerfulness under fire and devotion to duty. During the morning of April 17, at the River Gaiana, forward squadrons of his battalion had suffered severe casualties, and no evacuation had been possible. Padre Warren organised a column of regimental aid post carriers and moyed forward under fire to the forward defence localities, where he visited bn foot personnel in the forward posts, and set about organising the immediate evacuation of the wounded.

“His cheerful demeanour and personal disregard for his own safety had an immediate effect on the morale of the battle-weary troops. His initiative and prompt action on this, as on many subsequent occasions, were instrumental in saving the lives of numerous casualties, and his coolness and personal self-denial during periods of action became a byword with those among whom he served.” Major J. Tinniswood, M.C.

“Major Tinpiswood’s gallant leadership of a company of the Royal Hampshire Regiment in a successful coun-ter-attack resulted in the recapture of an important position at the Salerno bridgehead.” Sergeant E. Batchelor, D.C.M. and Bar “On July 21, 1944, at San Donato, while in command of the forward platoon of his company, Sergeant Batchelor, on his own initiative, took a small covering patrol and cleared all the houses on the feature of the enemy. This action not only enabled the advance of the company to continue, but also resulted in the capture of nine prisoners, five of which were taken single-handed by Sergeant Batchelor. “A short time later, in the face of heavy* machine-gun and artillery fire, he led his platoon in a successful attack against strong opposition from an enemy strong point which dominated Strada ridge and held up the advance. “At Saint Andrea, Sergeant Batchelor led a small patrol to investigate a house which it was .suspected the enemy occupied. With total disregard for personal safety, he left his party outside, entered the house alone, and captured two enemy snipers. “Throughout the whole of the action Sergeant Batchelor showed extraordinary powers of leadership and initiative and set a magnficent example by his personal courage and supreme devotion to duty under severe conditl<*‘On the night of December 14, 1944, Sergeant Batchelor was platoon sergeant in one of the forward companies in the attack on Celle. When his platoon commander was wounded at the outset of the battle this n.c.o. immediately took command and led ms men spiritedly into the attack. In a long advance over broken country and without contact on either flank he showed great skill and personal bravery in the liquidation of three enemy strong-points, killing eight and wounding 11 of the enemy, and capturing 20 prisoners. . , x . “On the following night when ordered to proceed across country to his company headquarters, Sergeant Batchelor mistakenly passed deep into enemy territory, and on entering Casa Salde was confronted not by his company commander, but by some 30 Germans. Although he had only three men with him, he rapidly appreciated the surprise his entry had caused the enemy and with the greatest initiative immediately engaged them, deploying his small force to great effect. “From the resultant fierce and confused fracas, in which Sergeant Batchelor became involved in a shot-for-shot duel with the German n.c.0., the party emerged with 19 prisoners, leaving behind them five killed and four wounded. The capture of this strongpoint undoubtedly assisted the next day’s advance very greatly. “Throughout a long and difficult operation against a seasoned enemy, Sergeant Batchelor by his great personal courage, initiative and outstanding leadership was an inspiring example to all ranks. The work of his platoon under his inspiration was largely responsible for the firm hold that the battalion had on its objective.” Lance-Corporal K. E. Twomey, M.M. “As a wireless operator, Lance-Cor-poral Twomey showed gallantry and devotion to duty in maintaining communications in spite of fierce shelling, often working in exposed positions.” Sergeant S. E. Lawson, D.C.M.

“Sergeant Lawson’s award is for outstanding resolution, courage, and intelligence during operations in the Lin Valley on May 16, 1944, when he led his tank—lost and without support, carrying also five wounded men—safely to our lines. This feat was performed in almost total darkness when he was surrounded by an active enemy, to whom he presented a good target.”

Lance-Sergeant H. J. Whelch, D.C.M. “Corporal Whelch showed great personal courage and cool and sound judgment when leading his platoon with skill and dash against a strong force of enemy paratroopers, routing the enemy and capturing the objective after inflicting casualties on a further enemy force.” Lieutenant R. J. Wilson, D.C.M. “Personal bravery and outstanding skill were shown by Sergeant Wilson when he took command of his platoon when his commanding officer was wounded at Orsogna. He set an inspiring example to his men so that three counter-attacks were repulsed before artillery fire broke up the enemy force.”