Auction Catalogue

22 March 2010

Starting at 12:00 PM

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British Campaign and Gallantry Medals

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Lot

№ 158

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22 March 2010

Hammer Price:
£780

A Second World War Italy operations M.C. group of five attributed to Lieutenant D. J. Watts, 27th Lancers, Royal Armoured Corps, an immediate award for the crossing of the Canale Bianco in late April 1945

Military Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1945’, with its Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, these last with their original addressed card forwarding box and related Army Council slip, extremely fine (5) £700-900

M.C. London Gazette 23 August 1945. The original recommendation - for an immediate award - states:

‘During the early morning Lieutenant Watts’ armour car troop was advancing in front of 56 Division’s left axis when he came to a small bridge backed by houses; he could see that this feature was held by a considerable number of enemy. It was essential that the bridge should be seized intact. Lieutenant Watts was ordered to seize and hold it, and another armoured car troop and a dismounted troop were moved up to support him. He immediately took these troops under his command, made a very rapid plan and rushed the bridge with his own troop in the face of very heavy fire. His leading car struck a demolition hole on the bridge and stuck. Mortars started to fire from the flanks and an 88mm. gun from the front, but in spite of this he carried on with his plan, and within 45 minutes of his first arrival at the bridge he succeeded in seizing and consolidating his objective. Owing to the speed and skill with which he manoeuvred his forces the operation was entirely successful and the advance of the Division was not delayed; he took 56 P.O.Ws, inflicted many casualties and destroyed or captured a large amount of arms and equipment - including a complete Company H.Q., a half-track ammunition carrier, 15 carts loaded with heavy mortar ammunition and a large quantity of horsed transport.’

The above card forwarding box is addressed to ‘Mr. D. J. Watts, “Dawn”, Bury Road, Bournemouth W.’; sold with copied research, including extracts from his unit’s war diary.