Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Gunner

Awarded on:

September 14th, 1943

Awarded for:

Operation Albumen

"This man was, together with Lieutenant A. LASSEN, responsible for the diversionary attack on KASTELLI PEDIADA aerodrome in CRETE, on the night of 4 July 1943. Passing through formidable perimeter defences he bluffed his way past three GERMAN sentries guarding Stukas, but was fired upon and the alarm was raised. Caught in the light of flares and ground searchlights he was subjected to very heavy machine gun and rifle fire from close range and forced to withdraw. Then an hour later he again entered the airfield in spite of the fact that all guards had been alerted and that the area was being patrolled by searchlights. He again bluffed his way past three sentries. The target and the enemy reinforced by men from the west side of the aerodrome drove him into the middle of an anti-aircraft battery where he was fired upon heavily from three sides. Ignoring this danger he placed bombs on caterpillar tractor nearby, which were destroyed. The increasing numbers of enemy fire finally forced him to withdraw. It was entirely due to diversion carried out by this man that planes and petrol were destroyed on the Eastern side of the airfield, since he drew off all the guards from that area. Throughout the attack and during the very arduous approach, the keenness, determination and personal disregard of danger shown by this man were of the highest order."