"On 20 September 1944, during the Battle of Arnhem, Lance-Sergeant
Baskeyfield was the N.C.O. in charge of a 6-pounder anti-tank gun at
Oosterbeek. The enemy developed a major attack on this sector with
infantry, tanks and self-propelled guns with the obvious intent to break
into and overrun the Battalion position. During the early stage of the
action the crew commanded by this N.C.O. was responsible for the
destruction of two Tiger tanks and at least one self propelled gun,
thanks to the coolness and daring of this N.C.O., who, with complete
disregard for his own safety, allowed each tank to come well within 100
yards of his gun before opening fire. In the course of this preliminary engagement Lance-Sergeant
Baskeyfield was badly wounded in the leg and the remainder of his crew
were either killed or badly wounded. During the brief respite after this
engagement Lance-Sergeant Baskeyfield refused to be carried to the
Regimental Aid Post and spent his time attending to his gun and shouting
encouragement to his comrades in neighbouring trenches. After a short interval the enemy renewed the attack with even greater
ferocity than before, under cover of intense mortar and shell fire.
Manning his gun quite alone Lance-Sergeant Baskeyfield continued to fire
round after round at the enemy until his gun was put out of action. By
this time his activity was the main factor in keeping the enemy tanks at
bay. The fact that the surviving men in his vicinity were held together
and kept in action was undoubtedly due to his magnificent example and
outstanding courage. Time after time enemy attacks were launched and
driven off. Finally, when his gun was knocked out, Lance-Sergeant
Baskeyfield crawled under intense enemy fire to another 6-pounder gun
nearby, the crew of which had been killed, and proceeded to man it
single-handed. With this gun he engaged an enemy self propelled gun
which was approaching to attack. Another soldier crawled across the open
ground to assist him but was killed almost at once. Lance-Sergeant
Baskeyfield succeeded in firing two rounds at the self propelled gun,
scoring one direct hit which rendered it ineffective. Whilst preparing
to fire a third shot, however, he was killed by a shell from a
supporting enemy tank. The superb gallantry of this N.C.O. is beyond praise. During the
remaining days at Arnhem stories of his valor were a constant
inspiration to all ranks. He spurned danger, ignored pain and by his
supreme fighting spirit, infected all who witnessed his conduct with the
same aggressiveness and dogged devotion to duty which characterized his
actions throughout."
From
LSgt John D. Baskeyfield's Victoria Cross citation, awarded on November 23, 1944.
Another ass-kickin' Brit who gave the Jerries what for!!!
Brian
The memorial statue at Festival Heights in Stoke-on-Trent.
"Baskeyfield VC" by Terence Cuneo
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