"In Italy, on the night of 8/9 April 1945, Major Lassen was ordered to
take out a patrol of one officer and seventeen other ranks to raid the
north shore of Lake Comacchio. His tasks were to cause as many casualties and as much confusion
as possible, to give the impression of a major landing, and to capture
prisoners. No previous reconnaissance was possible, and the party found
itself on a narrow road flanked on both sides by water. Preceded by two scouts, Major Lassen led his men along the road
towards the town. They were challenged after approximately 500 yards
from a position on the side of the road. An attempt to allay suspicion
by answering that they were fishermen returning home failed, for when
moving forward again to overpower the sentry, machine gun fire started
from the position, and also from two other blockhouses to the rear. Major Lassen himself then attacked with grenades, and annihilated
the first position containing four Germans and two machine guns. Ignoring the hail of bullets sweeping the road from three enemy
positions, an additional one having come into action from 300 yards down
the road, he raced forward to engage the second position under covering
fire from the remainder of the force. Throwing in more grenades he
silenced this position which was then overrun by his patrol. Two enemy
were killed, two captured and two more machine-guns silenced. By this time the force had suffered casualties and its firepower
was very considerably reduced. Still under a heavy cone of fire Major
Lassen rallied and reorganized his force and brought his fire to bear on
the third position. Moving forward himself he flung in more grenades
which produced a cry of "Kamerad". He then went forward to within
three or four yards of the position to order the enemy outside, and to
take their surrender. Whilst shouting to them to come out he was hit by a burst of
spandau fire from the left of the position and he fell mortally wounded,
but even whilst falling he flung a grenade, wounding some of the
occupants, and enabling his patrol to dash in and capture this final
position. Major Lassen refused to be evacuated as he said it would impede
the withdrawal and endanger further lives, and as ammunition was nearly
exhausted the force had to withdraw. By his magnificent leadership and complete disregard for his personal
safety, Major Lassen had, in the face of overwhelming superiority,
achieved his objects. Three positions were wiped out, accounting for six
machine guns, killing eight and wounding others of the enemy, and two
prisoners were taken. The high sense of devotion to duty and the esteem
in which he was held by the men he led, added to his own magnificent
courage, enabled Major Lassen to carry out all the tasks he had been
given with complete success."
From Maj. Lassen's Victoria Cross citation, awarded on 4 September 1945.
Another bold honored ally!
Brian & Mel
Monument in Copenhagen, Denmark
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