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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 1004

The scarce and intriguing 'S.O.E.' group of five to Sergeant H. Hargreaves, a radio-wireless operator who performed invaluable services while attached to the Slovenian partisans under Marshal Tito; in addition to rescuing hundreds of Allied airmen, these partisans harried German supply lines and tied down the German 75th Corps, causing its surrender

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, with '8th Army' clasp; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted swing-style as worn, with related miniatures, mounted swing-style as worn, and a 'ZZB Nob Slovenue' enamel lapel badge and a sports badge, nearly extremely fine (10)

Harry Hargreaves was born circa 1920. He joined the Army in 1942 and trained as a paratrooper, before taking on an S.O.E. role as a radio operator. He assisted in planning H.M.S. Vigilant's role in the Allied landings at Salerno in September 1943, known as Operation 'Avalanche'. He took part in the liberation of Naples on 1 October that year, and joined the advance towards north Italy. In early 1945 he was part of the special unit under Lieutenant-Colonel R. Redhead which dropped by parachute to assist the Slovenian partisans led by Marshal Tito, operating mainly in the Panonian plain. This region, in the foothills of the Alps, forms the northernmost point of the Adriatic coast, and was a crucial supply route for German forces. British and American units provided specialist support, and the Slovenians' ranks eventually swelled to five operational divisions. The entire Slovene territory was covered with a network of secret messenger paths and points. The Slovene partisans rescued more than 300 Allied airmen who were shot down and organised their return to bases. They also liberated over 1,000 prisoners of war. In April 1945, the Slovenians played a crucial role in forcing the German 75th Corps to surrender. Hargreaves' name appears on the list of British veterans who attended the reunion of Slovenian partisans and their allies held in Slovenia in June 1998.

Sold with a large and fascinating archive of original documentation which sheds further light on Hargreaves' activities. Viewing highly recommended.


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Sold for
£2,600

Starting price
£140