Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘Immediate’ 1945 ‘North West Europe’ M.M. group of four awarded to Crocodile Tank Commander, Acting Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant T. H. Smith, Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, who used the flame thrower of his tank to excellent effect whilst clearing an almost impregnable cement enemy pill-box from the banks of the Zijkanaal

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (6018563 A/Sq. Q.M. Sjt. T. H. Smith. R. Tank R.) unit partially officially corrected; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, nearly extremely fine (4) £1,000-£1,400

M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1945:
‘For recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe.’

The original Recommendation states: ‘In the attack on Deventer, Holland, on 10 April 1945, the Regina Rifle Regiment was assigned the task of clearing the enemy from the banks of the Zijkanaal so that a bridge could be built at a point where it was planned to have the divisional route for the subsequent advance north along the east bank of the Ijssel River.
Appreciating that this spot would be strongly held by the enemy, the Brigade Commander had placed in support of this action a troop of the half squadron of 7th Royal Tank Regiment (Crocodiles), of which Sergeant Terence Haig Smith was the Troop Sergeant.
The action had scarcely begun when it was seen that a cement pill box on the approaches to the bridge could not be taken by the resources of the infantry alone, and the Crocodiles were called for. The way lay straight down an exposed portion of the road which was swept by the fire of a self-propelled gun on the other side. Sergeant Smith in charge of the leading tank, and standing in the open turret in order to see clearly, so brilliantly manoeuvred his vehicle that he crossed a seemingly impassable ditch and using the enemy pill-box as a screen against the shell fire, bore down upon the almost impregnable position and silenced it with the flame from his weapon.
This cool-headed and daring action during the initial stages of the attack so enheartened our forces and demoralised the enemy that the near side of the canal was captured quickly and without great casualties.’

Terence Haig Smith served during the Second World War with 7th Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, as part of the 79th Armoured Division in North-West Europe.