Service number:

93937

Nationality:

British (1801-present, Kingdom)

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16 February 1945 WO 171/5292 - 1 Worcestershire Regiment
Bn "O" Gp at 06.00 hrs when orders for the Op were issued. Bn prepared to move by quick lift at 08.00 hours its head at Bde S.P. when orders were received for Bn to curl up off the road as there would be no move before 14.00 hours. Passed Bde S.P. at 13.00 hours Carrier Pl leading followed by "R" Gp then Coys. On arrival at the assembly area which we were assured was occupied by 5 Dorset and 7 Hamps respectively the posn was found to be only partially held - the fwd part of the area was still being contested. Whilst the column was still on the road very heavy shelling and mortaring which was remarkably accurate inflicted a few casualties, but with the quick deployment of the Carrier Pl remainder of the column was deployed off the road. A Major Hartwell of the 5 Dorsets put the C.O. in the picture - a short "O" Gp (Coy Commanders) and a decision to carry out the Op as planned with the exception of the start line being slightly altered to suit the circumstances. With "A" Coy right and "D" Coy left the attack commenced at 15.20 hours under a lifting barrage and with a troop of Tanks in support of each forward Coy the first intermediate objectives were quickly seized and P.W. started to come. 7 Som. L.I. who were attacking on our right also reported good progress and the opposition was not very determined. "D" Coy while continuing to push on to their final objective reported to be under heavy Spandau fire from a group of farm buildings. This was gallantly dealt with by Lt. Pullen who lead his Pl in a frontal assault capturing the farm buildings at the point of the bayonet. Meanwhile "A" Coy who were clearing up a group of buildings which were their final objective were consolidating. "D" Coy continued their advance and shortly afterwards reported that they were on their objective, clearing and consolidating. Meanwhile "B" Coy had moved up and were launched through "A" & "D" Coys to its first objective and reported good progress. The Arty fire plan had gone ahead of our advance and as it was over a two Bn attack it was found impossible to recall the barrage. "C" Coy moved up to "D" Coys first objective and dug in for a firm base. Tac H.Q. established itself in the same building as the 5 Dorsets Coy H.Q. "B" Coy seized its first objective after a short fight and pushed on after a short reorganisation to its final objective. The light was beginning to fail then came the good news - "B" Coy had seized its final objective. There was still one more group of bldgs to seize to ensure a clear start line for the 5 D.C.L.I. night attack which was to pass through us. "A" Coy then moved forward and took over "B" Coy posn who moved forward to take this group of bldgs. Only moderate opposition was met by "B" Coy and was quickly overcome. At 18.00 hours Bn reported to Bde - that all objectives were captured and being consolidated. Total P.Ws. for day - 3 Officers and 102 O.Rs. mainly Inf elements of 116 Pz Gren Div. and Bn casualties were 16 wounded mostly from the shelling and mortaring which was intense throughout the battle. 5 D.C.L.I. in Kangaroos were forming up for their night attack, in "C" Coy area. The D.C.L.I. attack passed through to seize IMIGSHOF, BERGMANNSHOF & KIDNEY FEATURE under a very heavy Arty barrage.

• - Recommendation for Award for Hartwell, George Rank: Temporary Major Service... | The National Archives
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36994/supplement/1560/data.pdf