"On 24th November, 1943, a company of an Australian Infantry Battalion
was ordered to outflank a strong enemy position sited on a precipitous
cliff-face and then to attack a feature 150 yards from the township of
Sattelberg. Sergeant Derrick was in command of his platoon of the
company. Due to the nature of the country, the only possible approach to
the town lay through an open kunai patch situated directly beneath the
top of the cliffs. Over a period of two hours many attempts were made by
our troops to clamber up the slopes to their objective, but on each
occasion the enemy prevented success with intense machine-gun fire and
grenades. Shortly before last light it appeared that it would be impossible
to reach the objective or even to hold the ground already occupied and
the company was ordered to retire. On receipt of this order, Sergeant
Derrick, displaying dogged tenacity, requested one last attempt to reach
the objective. His request was granted. Moving ahead of his forward section he personally destroyed, with
grenades, an enemy post which had been holding up this section. He then
ordered his second section around on the right flank. This section came
under heavy fire from light machine-guns and grenades from, six enemy
posts. Without regard for personal safety he clambered forward well
ahead of the leading men of the section and hurled grenade after
grenade, so completely demoralizing the enemy that they fled leaving
weapons and grenades. By this action alone the company was able to gain
its first foothold on the precipitous ground. Not content with the work already done, he returned to the first
section, and together with the third section of his platoon advanced to
deal with the three remaining posts in the area. On four separate
occasions he dashed forward and threw grenades at a range of six to
eight yards until these positions were finally silenced. In all, Sergeant Derrick had reduced ten enemy posts. From the
vital ground he had captured the remainder of the Battalion moved on to
capture Sattelberg the following morning. Undoubtedly Sergeant Derrick's fine leadership and refusal to
admit defeat, in the face of a seemingly impossible situation, resulted
in the capture of Sattelberg. His outstanding gallantry, thoroughness
and devotion to duty were an inspiration not only to his platoon and
company but to the whole Battalion"
From Sgt. Derrick's Victoria Cross citation, awarded on March 23, 1944.
A true asskickin' ally!!
Brian
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