Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Kapitein (Captain)

Unit:

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

Citation:
"This officer was recruited in Belgium in December 1941, to assist in the pioneer work of finding reception grounds for stores and of recruiting receptiom=n committees. He provided reliable contacts, found suitable grounds in the Ghent area, and he actively participated in eight successful container operations laid on between December 1942 and May 1943. He also found persons willing to have dumps of ammunition and explosives secretly hidden on their property.

Although entirely untrained for clandestine work, CAREZ proved intrepid and fearless, and largely contributed by his active co-operation to the success of the mission in the field.

CAREZ came to the U.K. in the summer of 1943 for a short period of training and was dropped into Belgium in October, 1943, as Liaison Officer to the Chief of Zone I of the Secret Armies, with the special task of furthering and exploiting the work achieved during his first mission.

He threw himself into this second mission enthusiastically and with complete disregard for his own safety. He was twice captured by the Gestapo but, even under torture, he refused to divulge any information which would lead to the arrest of his associates, Both times he succeeded in escaping. He then lived in hiding in the woods, coming out when he would pass on his instructions and directives to his reception committees. His reception arrangements, despite all his difficulties, were a model of efficiency and his disinterested devotion to duty won him, on the liberation of Belgium, high praise from his chiefs and promotion to the rank of Captain in the Belgian Army.

It is recommeded that Captain CAREZ be awarded the Military Cross."

Signed
Colin Gubbins Major-General
21.5.45