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Auction: 11010 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 11

A Good Second War ´Immediate´ 1945 Spring Offensive, Italy Operations M.C. Group of Five to Lieutenant D.J. Watts, 27th Lancers, Royal Armoured Corps a) Military Cross, G.VI.R., reverse dated ´1945´, with Royal Mint case of issue b) 1939-1945 Star c) Italy Star d) Defence and War Medals, generally good very fine, mounted for wear, with campaign medals card box of issue, addressed to ´Mr. D.J. Watts Esq, "Dawn", Bury Road, Bournemouth W.´, and enclosure slip (5) Estimate £ 800-1,000 M.C. London Gazette 23.8.1945 Lt. D.J. Watts Royal Armoured Corps (27th Lancers) The Recommendation states: ´24 Apr 45 During the early morning Lt. Watts´ Armd Car Tp was advancing in front of 56 Div´s left axis when he came to a small br (260950) backed by houses; he could see that this feature was held by a considerable number of enemy. It was essential that the br should be seized intact. Lt. Watts was ordered to seize and hold it, and another Armd Car Tp and a dismounted Tp were moved to support him. He immediately took these Tps under his comd, made a very rapid plan and rushed the br with his own tp in face of very heavy fire. His leading car struck a demolition hole on the br and stuck. Mortars started to fire from the flanks and an 88 mm gun from the front, but in spite of this he carried on with his plan, and within 45 mins of his first arrival at the br he succeeded in seizing and consolidating his objective. Owing to the speed and skill with which he manoeuvred his forces the operation was entirely successful and the advance of the Div was not delayed; he took 56 PWs, inflicted many casualties and destroyed or captured a large amount of arms and equipment - including a complete Coy HQ, a half track amn carrier, 15 carts loaded with hy mortar amn, and a large quantity of horsed transport.´

Sold for
£900