Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant (1st Lieutenant)

Citation:
"This officer was parachuted into the CANTAL in August, 1944, to coordinate Maquis groups under the command of an inter-allied mission. He was at once despatched to the scene of the fighting between the F.F.I. and the German garrison of AURILLAC. Under his command a patrol force of 30 men fought continuously for three days and nights, being subjected to machine gun and heavy mortar fire and air bombardment. It was partly due to his harassing tactics that the German garrison of AURILLAC, numbering four hundred, took nearly four days to reach St. FLOUR, normally a three-hour journey.

In mid-August he carried out vigorous patrolling against the garrison of the MUR de BARRES and was partly responsible for the surrender there of 300 Germans with all their equipment.

In September Lieut. HERITIER was wounded in the head during the operations which took place in the ALLIER. As a result of his wound he has had three operations and is still in hospital.

It is recommended that this brave officer be awarded the Military Cross."

Recommended by
Colin Gubbins
Major-General