Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Second War ‘cloak and dagger’ D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Petty Officer A. G. Biddle, Royal Navy, for gallantry aboard H.M. Submarine Regent in her daring enterprise in entering into the port of Kotor to try and embark His Britannic Majesty’s Envoy-Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary accredited to the Government of Yugoslavia, and in remaining there for nine hours though surrounded by large forces of the Italian army and subjected to attacks from the air, during which Biddle was wounded in the thigh

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (J.114128 A. G. Biddle. P.O. H.M.S. Regent); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Burma Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, very fine (7) £1,800-£2,200

D.S.M. London Gazette 30 September 1941: ‘Attempted embarkation of the British Minister to Yugoslavia at Kotor on 22 April 1941.

Lieutenant-Commander H. C. Browne, commanding H.M. Submarine Regent was awarded the D.S.O. on this occasion, ‘For daring, enterprise and coolness in taking H.M. Submarine ‘Regent’ into the port of Kotor to try and embark His Britannic Majesty’s Envoy-Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary accredited to the Government of Yugoslavia and in keeping her there for nine hours though surrounded by large forces of the Italian army.’

His recommendation for the award of the D.S.M. to Petty Officer Albert George Biddle states: ‘This Petty Officer volunteered to remain in the ship to light the fuses of both demolition depth charges in the event of the ship having to be abandoned. Subsequently he was on watch on the bridge when the bombing attacks commenced. He assisted in clearing the bridge of men not required and calmly remained himself until ordered below at the end of the attack. While on the bridge he was wounded in the thigh.’

A most unusual award of the D.S.M. for a ‘cloak and dagger’ action, and especially interesting as it was an attempt to rescue a British Senior Diplomat from falling into enemy hands. The Diplomat concerned was Ronald Ian Campbell (later Sir, K.C.M.G., C.B.), the British Minister to Yugoslavia. When the Germans and Italians were overwhelming Yugoslavia in the Spring of 1941, Mr Campbell and his staff were cut off and unable to get away. It was decided to try to embark them in a British submarine and, accordingly Lieutenant-Commander H. C. Browne took the Regent into the Adriatic. Having passed through two minefields which the Italians regarded as impassable, he steamed boldly into the harbour of Kotor, better known as Cattaro, to bring off the British Minister and his staff.

Moving into port just after dawn, the Captain soon learned that the Italian army had reached the coast and were already in occupation of the town. This unexpected move by the Italians placed the Regent in jeopardy, but the Captain did not waver. Having been sent to effect the rescue of Mr Campbell, he was determined to do everything possible to bring him off, so he detailed an officer to go ashore. With the utmost coolness this officer went to the Senior Italian naval officer in charge of the port and explained that the Regent had come to evacuate the British Diplomatic Staff, whereupon he was permitted to go off in search of Mr Campbell while an Italian Army Staff officer went on board the Regent to act as hostage until he returned.

Throughout the morning the Regent lay in harbour flying her biggest White Ensign. Around her was the Italian army with enough gun-power to blot her out of existence. For hour after hour the Regent lay there, flying the flag in the face of her enemies, while the officer strove to find Mr Campbell and conduct him back to the boat; unhappily he failed to make contact.

The afternoon was advanced when two Italian dive bombers suddenly swooped down on the Regent and dropped several bombs which all missed. As they flew over, they opened fire on the conning-tower with their machine-guns wounding the Captain, the First Lieutenant and a petty officer. Captain Browne wasted no time. Diving without delay and carrying his Italian hostage with him, he escaped from the harbour, after remaining in the midst of the enemy for nine hours, picked his way safely through the minefields again and returned to his base. Awards for this episode included a D.S.O. for Captain Browne, two D.S.C.’s, three D.S.M.’s and one Bar to the D.S.M.

Biddle was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 5 May 1942) upon completion of eight Mediterranean War Patrols by H.M. S/M Regent from October 1940 to August 1941. The Submarine Regent was sunk by a mine off Monopoli in the South Adriatic on 18 April 1943, but Petty Officer Biddle was evidently serving elsewhere by this time. Sold with copies of Operational Report and recommendations for awards.