V.C. WON IN ITALY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 31, 5 January 1945, Page 2

V.C. WON IN ITALY

(Rec. 11.15 a.m.) RUGBY, Jan. 4. The Victoria Cross has been awarded to Pte. Henry Burton, of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment. The citation says that in Italy in October last two companies of the regiment moved forward to take a strongly held feature 760 metres high, the capture of which was vital.

Twenty yards from the top the leading platoon was held up by withering Spandau fire. Pte. Burton rushed forward, engaged the first Spandau position with his tommy-gun and killed the crew of three. When the assault was again held up by murderous fire from two more machine-guns Pte.. Burton, again showing complete disregard for Ids own safety, dashed forward towards the first machine-gun using his tommy-gun until his ammunition was exhausted. He then picked up a Bren gun, and, firing from the hip, succeeded in killing or wounding the crews of the two machine-guns. '

Thanks to his outstanding courage the company was then able to consolidate on tho forward slope of the feature. In subsequent counter-attacks Private Burton, on his own initiative, directed such accurate fire on the Germans that they retired, failing to dislodge our forces. Private Burton's magnificent gallantry and total disregard for his own safety during many hours of fierce fighting in mud and continuous rain were an inspiration to all his comrades.—Official Wireless.