Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Second World War North-West Europe operations M.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant R. S. Bennett, Royal Artillery, who was decorated for his gallant deeds as a member of 100 Army Radar Battery, a unit of Horrocks’ famous XXX Corps - among them his part in the destruction of a Nebelwefer rocket gun near Goch in February 1945

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (1467654 Sjt. R. S. Bennett, R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; FRance and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, good very fine (6) £1600-1800

M.M. London Gazette 24 January 1946. The original recommendation states:

‘Sergeant Bennett has been in charge of a Counter-Mortar Radar Detachment and throughout the campaign has set an example to his men worthy of the highest praise. His detachmant was invariably deployed in close proximity to the enemy and on may occasions he displayed courage and coolness which were an example and inspiration to his men.

On 21 February 1945, they were deployed in close proximity to the enemy north of Goch, close to a road which was the main axis of advance. The enemy commenced very heavy shelling and mortaring of this road and finally when a Nebelwerfer opened fire, traffic on the road was forced to stop. The Nebelwerfer projectiles were falling close around Sergeant Bennett’s position but he refused to allow the work of his detachment to be interfered with and largely by his coolness and example the Nebelwerfer was accurately located and destroyed by artillery. Traffic was then resumed and a serious hold up averted, largely by this N.C.O’s exemplary conduct and coolness. This example of Sergeant Bennett’s devotion to duty is not an isolated one but is typical of his leadership throughout the campaign.’

Raymond Stanely Bennett’s Radar Battery was part of 100 A.A. Brigade, R.A., XXX Corps and, by virtue of the fact his recommendation twice refers to him having shown bravery ‘throughout the campaign’, it would be fair to conclude he was present in the bitterly contested advance of XXX Corps to Arnhem in September 1944.

The Nebelwurfer was a particularly vicious piece of artillery, being manned by a crew of four and equipped with six barrels capable of firing 75lb. 5.9-inch rockets to a range of 7,500 yards - the resultant impact and blast of these projectiles was particularly effective against infantry, both physically and psychologically.