GALLANT CONDUCT OF BRITISH PRIVATE

Southland Times, Issue 25564, 6 January 1945, Page 5

GALLANT CONDUCT OF BRITISH PRIVATE

Heroism In Italy Wins Victoria Cross (8.0.W.) RUGBY, January 4. The Victoria Cross has been awarded to Private Henry Burton, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. The citation says: In Italy in October 1944, 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. Private Burton rushed forward and engaged the first Spandau position with his Tommy gun, killing the crew of three. When the assault was again held up by murderous fire from two more machine guns, Private Burton, again showing complete disregard for his 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 a forward slope of the feature. In subsequent counter-attacks, Private Burton, on his own initiative, directed such accurate fire on the enemy that they retired, failing to dislodge our forces. Private Burton’s magnificent gallantry and total disergard for his own safety during many hours of fierce fighting in mud and continuous rain were an inspiration to all his comrades. ALLIED DECLARATION EXPECTED Policy Difficulties In Italy LONDON, January 4. Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt will soon be making a joint declaration on the future of Italy, said Mr Harold MacMillan, Resident Minister at Allied Headquarters in the Mediterranean, at a Press conference in Rome today, reports the Exchange Telegraph Agency’s correspondent. Mr MacMillan said: “I look forward confidently to complete agreement.” He added that few appreciated the difficulties in Italy. Many critics who had not seen, or only briefly visited, liberated territories did not realize the' position. “We need patience and perseverance in dealing with Italy,” he added, “but, whatever we do for Italy, it will be nothing to what the Italians can, and must for themselves.”