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Major (temp Lt-Col) W.P. Scott D.S.O.,M.C.

Transcript of Distinguished Service Order Citation

Brigade
77th Indian Infantry

Division
3rd Indian

Unit
1 Bn The Kings (Liverpool) Regt.
 

Date of
Recommendation
15 March 1944

Regtl. No.
137453

Rank and Name
Major (temp Lt-Col) Walter Purcell SCOTT MC

Action for which recommended :-

Colonel SCOTT commanded the Battalion which carried out the initial glider landings.

In doing so his Battalion suffered 120 casualties, of which 60 were killed and wounded and the remainder missing.

Immediately before starting from LALAGHAT, Col. SCOTT was informed that the airfield on which he had expected to land, PICCADILLY, was occupied by the enemy, and he was aware that there must be grave suspicion that the enemy was at BROADWAY as well.

Before Col. SCOTT left, I told him that I depended on the KINGS to ensure that whatever happened BROADWAY was fit for DAKOTA landings on the following night. His complete cheerfulness and resolution made a deep impression on me.

He landed at BROADWAY amid a scene of carnage. A number of gliders through no fault of their own crashed killing and wounding their occupants. Out of his total force of 750 embarked only 380 had arrived. Under these circumstances he might well have felt despondent.

All on BROADWAY, however, testify to the vigour and enthusiasm with which he and the force under his command set to work to prepare the Dakota strip. The strip was completed by the night of
D plus 1, and accepted 65 Dakotas that night.

Throughout this operation, the 1 Bn The Kings (Liverpool) Regt. showed the greatest readiness to accept losses and sacrifices in order to make the operation a success. Their cheerfulness in the face of apparent disaster is due in a large measure to the personal example and character of their Commanding Officer.
 

Recommended By
Maj-Gen O.C. Wingate
G.O.C. 3 Ind. Div.

Honour or Reward
D.S.O.

(London Gazette 18 May 1944)

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