Orders, Decorations and Medals

A good D.S.M. pair awarded to Petty Officer George Edwards, Royal Navy, H.M.S. Mackay, for the daylight attack against the German cruiser Prinz Eugen in February 1942

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (J.97639 G. Edwards. P.O.) in case of issue; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (J.97639 A/P.O. H.M.S. St Angelo) good very fine (2) £600-800

D.S.M. London Gazette 31 March 1942: ‘For daring and resolution while serving in HM destroyers, motor torpedo boats, and motor gun boats in daylight attacks at close range and against odds, upon the German battle-cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the cruiser Prinz Eugen.’

The following details are taken from the original recommendation: ‘An experienced hardworking and loyal Torpedo Gunner’s Mate who has been a real leader at all times. On 12th February 1942 in action with German Cruisers in heavy weather under fire, the tubes were being washed down continuously, but the tubes’ crews brought their tubes into action smartly and all the material worked faultlessly.’

On the night of 11th-12th February, 1942, the battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen set out from Brest with a strong escort of destroyers and torpedo boats and attendant air cover. The German force is first discovered in the area of Le Touquet and unsuccessfully shelled by British coastal batteries. Motor Torpedo Boats set out from Dover and Ramsgate but their attacks were unsuccessful and three M.T.B’s were damaged. The force was being shadowed by Commander E. Esmonde who then attacked with his six Swordfish from 825 Squadron in the area of Gravelines. All six torpedo aircraft were shot down and subsequent aircraft which were later sent in failed to find their targets. Finally a destroyer force from Harwich succeed in approaching the German force but the attacks are largely unsuccessful in the face of heavy defensive fire. H.M.S. Macaky, in company with H.M.S. Whitshead and Campbell, managed to close in on a ‘large enemy ship’, later identified as the Prinz Eugen. In heavy rolling seas, the Mackay closed to a range of 4000 yards and fired a salvo of torpedoes but, at that same moment, the Prinz Eugen changed course to starboard and none of the torpedoes found their target, although the official report states that ‘one hit may possibly have been made’. If the hit did occur it clearly was not serious and all three German ships successfully reached the safety of the Fatherland. Sold with copies of the official action report and award recommendation.