VICTORIA CROSS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25210, 24 May 1945, Page 5

VICTORIA CROSS

THREE AWARDS MADE CANADIANS AND INDIAN LONDON, May 22 The award of three Victoria Crosses vas announced tonight. The recipients ire »aik Gian Singh, 15th Punjab Reginent, Indian Army; Sergeant Cosens posthumously). Queen's Own Rifles, Canada; and Major Frederick Tilston, Essex Scottish Regiment, Canadian Infantry Corps. In an action in Burma, Naik Singh observed the enemy some 20 yards ihead. Ordering a light machine-gunner to cover him, he, alone, rushed in firing i tommy-gun. He was wounded in the firms, jet continued alone, hurling grenades. He killed several Japanese find then, again ignoring; the danger to himself and in spite of his wounds, he went on and captured single-handed an anti-tank gun. He was ordered to a regimental aid post, but, in spite of his wounds, requested permission to lead his section until the whole action was completed. "When his platoon commander was killed in Holland on February 25. Sergeant Cosens assumed command of four survivors, whom he placed in a position that gave him covering fire while he ran across open ground under heavy mortar and shell fire to his remaining supporting tank. Regardless of danger, he directed its fire. He then ordered a tank attack on three German-occupied farm buildings. After the tank rammed the first building he entered it killing several defenders and taking the rest prisoner. He also entered the second and third buildings and personally killed or captured all the occupants under intense machine-gun and small arms fire. Just afterward Sergeant Cosens was shot through the head and killed instantly. Although wounded in the head, Major Tilston personally led his company in an attack through the Hochwald Forest defences. When a platoon came under heavy fire from a machinegun post he dashed forward personally and silenced the post with a grenade. With outstanding gallantry he pressed on with the main force to the second line of defences, where he was severely wounded in the hip and fell. However, he struggled to his feet and rejoined his men as they reached the trenches, and he led them in vicious hand-to-hand fighting to clear the position. When the ammunition supply problem became serious, he repeatedly crossed bullet-swept ground tOjgft company on the right flank to carry grenades and rifle and Bren ammunition to his troops and to replace a damaged wireless set to re-establish communications with his battalion headquarters. On the last trip he was wounded a third time, but would not submit to medical attention_ until, he had given complete instruction for the defence plan. FRIENDSHIP ESSENTIAIi BRITAIN AND RUSSIA (Kecd. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, May 23 Giving a warning against dissensions between Britain, America and Russia, the Times, in an editorial, says that with Britain and Russia at their posts and with confidence and co-operation between them indissolubly established, the peace of Europe is sure. If Britain and Russia were to fall apart, the prospect would be dark, not only for Europe as a whole but also for both of these great Powers. One of the dual pillars of British policy would be shattered and her foothold in Europe would become precarious and insecure. The future for Russia could at best offer a return to the isolation of the early years of the Revolution, with all the internal privations and international uncertainties which isolation would inevitably involve. Neither Britain nor Russia, even if they were so inclined, could indulge for any length of time in policies of division and discord without grave detriment to their national interest and the general interest of Europe. Recognition of this essential background of British-Russian co-operation would help to put in true perspective some recent exhibitions of mutual irritation and would warn both parties or the dangers of excessive indulgence in them. ILLUSTRIOUS RETURNS ADMIRAL THANKS CREW i Reed. 9.30 p m.) SYDNEY, May 23 Admiral Sir Bruce Eraser, Com-mander-in-Chief of the British Pacific Fleet, went on board the aircraftcarrier Illustrious when she berthed recently in Sydney Harbour and personally "thanked the crew for their gallantry in actions against the Japanese. "The Illustrious has lived up to her name," said Admiral Fraser. "The war in the Pacific is going faster than was thought possible and our task is to strike harder and more often so that it may be ended as quickly as possible. The commander of the Illustrious, Captain C. Lambe, told interviewers it was amazing that so many Japanese suicide pilots were prepared to throw away their lives trying to crash on to a ship, yet they would not .fight out the issue when an Allied pilot attempted to give combat.

The Illustrious, a unit in a task force which has been operating with dead 1J effect in Japanese waters, returned to Sydney almost unscarred, although one enemy suicide plane came close enough to touch the carrier with its wing.