Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An outstanding Second World War North-West Europe operations D.C.M. group of five awarded to Warrant Officer E. L. Langford, 1st Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment, who received an immediate award for his gallantry in the fighting at Lingen on 5 April 1945, where, on several occasions, he used his flame-throwing Wasp to good effect - ‘Although fire was directed at and into his carrier, with complete disregard for his own safety Sergeant Langford moved it close to the enemy position which he flamed so accurately that the Spandau team was burnt alive’

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (5780501 A.W.O.Cl.2. E. L. Langford. R. Norf. R.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, official correction to last three letters of unit on the first, good very fine and better (5) £4000-5000

D.C.M. London Gazette 12 July 1945. The recommendation - for an immediate award - states:

‘During the attack on Lingen on 5 April 45 the leading Platoons of the two assault Companies were held up by a party of enemy in well placed positions. One of the Company Commanders was hit and could not temporarily be recovered. Sergeant Langford, who commanded the only available Wasp, was ordered to move up to the enemy strongpoint and flame it so that an assault party could go in and the wounded Company Commander be recovered. Although fire was directed at and into his carrier, with complete disregard for his own safety Sergeant Langford moved it close to the enemy position which he flamed so accurately that the Spandau team was burnt alive. The remaining occupants of the post were either wounded or surrendered. The Company Commander was then recovered and the assault party consolidated the position.

Whilst this was in progress a further enemy Spandau opened up from the flank. Using his own initiative and with great promptness, Sergeant Langford directed his carrier at this post knowing full well that there was no infantry covering fire sited to support him. Refusing to be cowed, the enemy kept up his fire. Once again, however, the skilled handling of his carrier and the direction of his flaming decided the issue and the occupants of the post were ejected screaming.

Later on Sergeant Langford was ordered to repeat these tactics against a second similar strongpoint in a cellar. The route to this was covered by snipers firing from upper storeys. Between them the enemy were temporarily frustrating all attempts of our leading elements to get forward. Manoeuvring of the carrier could be done only with the greatest difficulty. In spite of this and the accuracy of the enemy snipers' fire, Sergeant Langford successfully ran the gauntlet to within point blank flaming range of the strongpoint. Although under Spandau fire from 20 yards range, the skill and accuracy with which this N.C.O. completed his task was in no way impaired. In a space of seconds the objective was a sheet of flames, the enemy were bolted and eight out of the ten killed or captured.

This N.C.O’s supreme disregard of danger, his tactics and his infectious confidence completely turned the scales in a very difficult town fighting operation. Thanks to him and his skilful use of his Wasp, the morale of the enemy was completely undermined.’

Ernest James Leslie Langford, who was born in Wisbeck, Cambridgeshire in November 1911, enlisted in the Royal Norfolk Regiment in July 1940, when he was posted to the 7th Battalion. Advanced to the war substantive ranks of Corporal in March 1941 and Sergeant in February 1943, he attended a carrier course at the end of the latter year. He was embarked for Normandy in late June 1944, transferred to the 1st Battalion in August and was advanced to Warrant Officer Class 2 a few days after his D.C.M.-winning exploits at Lingen on 5 April 1945; the Wasp was a flame-throwing device mounted on a Universal carrier, the flame-gun having a range of 35-45 yards, although clearly Langford chose to close that range yet further.

Having received the riband of his D.C.M. from Field Marshal Montgomery in a field ceremony held at Minden about V.E. Day, Langford returned to the U.K. at the year’s end and was placed on the Army Reserve in March 1946. He died in December 1969 and is buried in Greywood Cemetery, King’s Lynn, Norfolk.

Sold with two original wartime photographs and copied research, including the recipient’s service record.