Military Awards

Distinguished Service Order citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and leadership in a most hazardous

operation. This ofcer led his Battalion, after a ight of over

400 miles and a parachute drop in enemy territory, against an

enemy landing ground near Tunis and by his high sense of

duty, and example under heavy re from machine guns, mortar

and armoured ghting vehicles he was successful in reaching his

objective and destroying a number of armoured ghting vehicles

and inicting a large number of casualties on the enemy.

Although entirely surrounded by overwhelming forces he by his

gallantry and cool leadership extricated a large part of his Battalion.

After a move of almost 90 miles through enemy territory of a most

difcult terrain being continually harassed by enemy armoured

and other forces, short of food and water, ghting four separate

engagements he nally regained our lines with some 120 Ofcers and

men. This complete disregard of personal danger and his coolness

under heavy re were at all times an inspiration to his Ofcers and

men under the most trying circumstances imaginable.

This unit some 450 strong dropped by parachute near Depienne

and proceeded to Oudna some 15 miles from Tunis. The operations

lasted from 29 November to 10 December.