"In North-West West Europe on 6th August, 1944, the position held by a
battalion of the Royal Norfolk Regiment near Sourdeval was attacked in
strength by 10th S.S. Panzer Division. The attack started with a heavy
and accurate artillery and mortar programme on the position which the
enemy had, by this time, pin-pointed. Half an hour later the main attack
developed and heavy machine-gun and mortar fire was concentrated oh the
point of junction of the two forward companies. Corporal Bates was
commanding the right forward section of the left forward company which
suffered some, casualties, so he decided to move the remnants of his
section to an alternative position whence he appreciated he could better
counter the enemy thrust. However, the enemy wedge grew still deeper,
until there were about; 50 to 60 Germans, supported by machine guns and
mortars, in the area occupied by the section. Seeing that the situation
was becoming, desperate, Corporal Bates then seized a light machine-gun
and charged the enemy, moving forward through a hail of bullets and
splinters and firing the gun from his hip. He was almost immediately
wounded by machine-gun fire and fell to the ground, but recovered
himself quickly, got up and continued advancing towards the enemy,
spraying bullets from his gun as he went. His action by now was having
an effect on the enemy riflemen and machine gunners but mortar bombs
continued to fall all around him. He was then hit for the second time and much more seriously and
painfully wounded. However, undaunted, he staggered once more to his
feet and continued towards the enemy who were now seemingly nonplussed
by their inability to check him. His constant firing continued until the
enemy started to withdraw before him. At this moment, he was hit for
the third time by mortar bomb splinters, a wound that was to prove
mortal. He again fell to the ground but continued to fire his weapon
until his strength failed him. This was not, however, until the enemy had withdrawn and the situation in this locality had been restored.
Corporal Bates died shortly afterwards of the wounds he had received,
but, by his supreme gallantry and self sacrifice he had personally
restored what had been a critical situation."
From Cpl Bates' Victoria Cross citation, awarded on November 2, 1944.
A regular Rambo who kept those Jerries from his mates!!!
Brian
Lest we forget.
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