Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

HQ, British Expeditionary Force (BEF), British Army

Awarded on:

July 11th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Small Scale Raiding Force (SSRF), Combined Operations Headquarters, War Office, British Government

Awarded on:

July 28th, 1942

Awarded for:

Operation Postmaster

"Captain March-Phillipps was in command of the operation for the cutting-out of the 10,000 ton Italian liner ‘Duchessa’, and the smaller German vessels, ‘Likomba’ and ‘Bibundi’, which were lying in the neutral harbour of Fernando Po. The Operation took place on the night of 14–15 January 1942.

The operation was of a most delicate and difficult nature, owing to the over-riding necessity of ensuring that no direct evidence of complicity on the part of the British Government or participation by British Forces would be secured by the Spanish or Axis Governments. It was known, moreover, that the ‘Duchessa d’Aosta’ with her deep draught, was lying in a very narrow channel, any divergence from which would run her aground.

The nucleus of the cutting out party was formed by the crew of the SOE ship, ‘Maid Honor’, a Brixham trawler of some 60 odd tons which sailed out to West Africa from Poole in September 1941, under the command of Captain March-Phillipps. The crew consisted of five army officers and other ranks, and this successful voyage in a time of war was in itself a considerable feat.

On the night of the operation, when the harbour of Fernando Po had been safely entered, Captain March-Phillipps according to his plan detached Lieutenant G. Hayes and party in one tug to secure the German vessels, while himself in another tug proceeded towards the ‘Duchessa d’Aosta.’

Leading the boarding party himself, he leapt on board as soon as the tug had approached sufficiently close, followed by the demolition parties whose task was to blow the holding cables with specifically prepared explosive charges.

All opposition was quickly quelled and the 28 Italians put under guard, while the cables were blown, and the tug’s hawser made fast, and the ‘Duchessa d’Aosta’ got under way. Captain March-Phillipps himself took command from her bridge of navigating her in the dark along a narrow channel. This was successfully accomplished and by daylight the convoy was below the horizon, and after a difficult passage reached Lagos safely.

Captain March-Phillipps displayed military qualities of very high order in his successful execution of this very difficult task, which secured for the British Government a 10,000 ton liner carrying a cargo valued at several hundreds of thousands of pounds, in addition to two smaller but valuable vessels. By his leadership and by his skill in training, planning and navigation, the operation was completed without any effective opposition from the enemy, or any trace of its origin becoming known."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Small Scale Raiding Force (SSRF), Combined Operations Headquarters, War Office, British Government

Awarded on:

1942

Awarded for:

Operation Aquatint

"Major March-Phillips was responsible for the original conception of the S.S.R.F. and was its first Commander. He formed and trained the force, and due to his energy and personality the force was ready for its first operation within six weeks of the directive authorising the formation of the force being signed. The first operation (the 1st attempt at "DRYAD") was unsuccessful owing to fog.

In a period of less than three weeks Major March-Phillips planned and executed three successful small scale raids, all of which he commanded himself, both from the Naval and the Military side. In the first of these, Operation "BARRICADE": a coast defence installation on the East side of the Cherbourg peninsula was attacked, and damage was caused to the enemy with bombs and small arms fire. The second operation, "DRYAD", resulted in the capture of the CASQUES lighthouse from which seven German Naval personnel were taken prisoner together with valuable code books and other papers. The third operation was a reconnaissance in a particularly difficult part of the Channel Islands, and was in every way completely successful. The S.S.R.F. suffered no casualties in any of the operations.

On three other occasions a force commanded by Major March-Phillips put to sea in M.T.B. 344, but owing to weather conditions having changed on arrival the other side of the Channel the operations had to be abandoned.

He has been at all times an inspiring leader to his force, with a complete personal disregard for danger or hardship, and has in every way shown himself to be a most vigorous and determined Commander.

Major March-Phillips is reported missing after operation "AQUATINT" and is believed to have been killed. In the event of his survival and return to allied occupied territory, he is strongly recommended for a bar to the D.S.O. If he is subsequently reported as killed, it is recommended that his name should be mentioned posthumously in despatches."

March-Phillips, reported missing, was recommended for a bar to the DSO for his leadership, approved by Lord Mountbatten. After his death had been confirmed he was awarded a mention in dispatches, in place of the DSO which was not awarded posthumously.