POSTHUMOUS AWARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25866, 9 June 1945, Page 8

POSTHUMOUS AWARD

THE VICTORIA CROSS COLDSTREAM GUARDS OFFICER RUGBY, June 7. The Victoria Cross has been awarded posthumously to a Coldstream Guards officer, who, by disconnecting demolition charges on a river bridge while in full view of the enemy and under heavy fire, enabled his company to capture the bridge intact. The officer, Captain I. A. Liddell, who later died of wounds subsequently received in action, was commanding a company of Coldstream Guards. He was ordered to capture intact a bridge over the River Ems, near Lingen. “The bridge was covered on the far bank,” says the citation, “by a strong enemy strongpoint, which was subsequently discovered to consist of 150 enemy inr fantry, supported by three 88mm. and two 20mm. guns. The bridge was also prepared for demolition with 5001 b bombs which could be plainly seen. Having directed the two leading platoons on to the near bank, Captain Liddell ran forward alone to the bridge and scaled a lOft-high road block with the , intention of neutralising the charges.’ He had to cross the whole length of the bridge under intense fire; which increased as his object became apparent to the enemy. Having disconnected the charges on the far side, he crossed and cut the wires on the near side. He had to kneel, forming an easy target. He discovered charges underneath the bridge and disconnected these, too. Then he climbed on to the road in full view of the enemy and signalled the leading platoon to advance. The bridge was captured intact and the way cleared to the advance across the Ems.” The citation adds: “ His outstanding gallantry and superb example of courage will never be forgotten by those who saw it.”

Major-General I. Bols,‘ D. 5.0., who commanded the British Sixth Airborne Division during the battle of the Ardennes Bulge last Christmas and on March 24 this year led the division in a successful airborne crossing of the Rhine, has been awarded a bar to the D.S.O.