Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant (1st Lieutenant)

Citation:
"This officer, a member of an Allied team, volunteered for work behind the enemy lines and was parachuted into the department of INDRE ET LOIRE on the 10th August 1944, to organise and train resistance groups in that area.

By his enthusiasm and initiative Lieut. VERMOT contributed largely to the efficiency of the work done by the Resistance Forces in impeding and harassing the German columns passing through the area. The succes of many of the ambushes carried out on the enemy was the result of his careful planning. He personally supervised the construction of numerous road blocks.

On August 31st about 30 F.F.I. under the command of a French officer, were in the vilage of LA COLINIERE, when unexpectedly some 200/300 Germans in a motorised colums appeared at the end of the village. The F.F.I. took up defensive positions in case of attack: owing to their being so largely outnumbered by the F.F.I. were ordered to withhold their fire but one maquisard opened up with a bren gun. As a result the Germans debussed and started to attack. The French officer left by car to collect reinforcements as it was impossible to withdraw owing to the open nature of the country. Lieut. Vermot immediately took command and succeeded in holding off the Germans until all the ammunitions was expended, with the loss of 8 wounded. At that moment reinforcements arrived and the Germans withdrew after suffered severe losses in killed and wounded. It was entirely due to this officer's initiative and complete disregard of personal safety that the small party of F.F.I. was not destroyed.

It is recommended that Lieut. Vermot be awarded the Military Cross."

Recommended by
Colin Gubbins
Major-General
27.4.45