Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Luitenant (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

T Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Citation:
"This officer was parachuted into Belgium on 5th March 1944 as W/T operator to the chief of Zone I of the Secret Armies. During the next six months in the field, he was constandly in contact with Home Station. He carried the bulk of the W/T traffic, controlling supply dropping operations for the distribution of arms, ammunition and explosives to this important zone. He was also responsible for receiving important post D-Day directives and regularly transmitting detailed results achived in that zone back to London.

His organiser was twice arrested; a locally recruited W/T operator and his bodyguard were also arrested. Under pressure the two latter gave away information and, for the last two months of his mission, RENAUT was constantly on the run, taking to the Maquis and working in circumstances highly unfavourable to the transmission and reception of W/T traffic. Not once, however, did he miss a schedule or fail to pass the bulk of important traffic for his zone.

A cool, quiet and extremely efficient operator, with a highly developped sense of duty, it is recommended that Lieut. RENAUT be appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (Mil.)(Hon)."

Recommended by Colin Gubbins - Major General
Signed by Lieuteant-General Gale - Chief Administrative Officer
4/6/45