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Captain N. Durrant M.C. |
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Transcript of Military Cross Citation |
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Brigade |
77th Indian Infantry |
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Division |
3rd Indian |
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Unit |
Royal Regiment of Artillery attached 1st Bn The South Staffordshire Regiment Regiment |
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Date of Recommendation |
16th July 1944 |
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Regtl. No. |
151583 |
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Rank and Name |
Captain (acting) Norman DURRANT |
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Action for which commended :- |
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During the action at Henu on 17th March 44, Lieut. Durrant commanded and directed his MMG fire throughout the whole action which lasted for approximately five hours. Although his guns were in exposed positions and subjected to heavy MMG and mortar fire he continued to engage all possible targets inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Throughout the day he continued to command and encourage his men moving from gun to gun and getting supplies of ammunition to maintain the guns in action. When his guns could fire no longer he led a party of gunners in the counter attack on Henu hill. In this action he showed great courage in leading his few men to take an enemy position. After using his grenades on this position he attempted to use his pistol which failed to function. Again, completely unarmed he still led his men forward until wounded and unable to continue any further. This officer has taken part in every attack since the battalion left the Henu block. Always he was with his forward guns which invariably were with the forward Sections, inflicting extremely heavy casualties on the enemy forcing them to give up positions which would have been difficult to remove with normal small arms fire, thus keeping the morale of our own troops extremely high. In the final battle of Mogaung he commanded six Sections of MMGs all of which were brought up with the forward troops. He himself, after giving orders moved with the leading gun. During the attack the enemy laid down heavy shell, mortar, MMG and heavy MMG fire all round his guns, but this never troubled him in the slightest. He was moving his guns from position to position, meeting all and sundry. These actions accounted for heavy casualties on the enemy. Throughout the whole campaign this officer has shown remarkable courage, bravery and absolute disregard for his own personal safety thus becoming an inspiration to the whole battalion. |
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| Recommended By |
Lieut. Colonel R. Degg 1st Bn The South Staffordshire Regt. |
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Honour or Reward |
Military Cross |
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Signed By |
Major General W.D.A. Lentaigne Comd. 3 Ind. Div. General G. Giffard Commander-in-Chief 11 Army Group |
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(London Gazette 26.04.1945) |
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