2723977 Eric Mafeking COLTHORPE, MM, 3 Irish Guards

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Name Colthorpe, Eric Mafeking
Rank: Guardsman
Service No: 2723977
Regiment: 3 Battalion Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: North West Europe 1944-45
Award: Military Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 01 March 1945
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LG - http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36961/supplements/1181/page.pdf

Guards Armoured Division
2723977 Guardsman Eric Mafeking COLTHORPE, 3rd Battalion IRISH GUARDS

Directly the leading platoon of the 3IG Battle Group had crossed the DE GROOTE BARRIER over the MEUSE-ESCAUT Canal on the night of 10 September 1944, the *Royal Engineer Officer required four men to assist him in removing the charges from the bridge. Guardsman COLTHORPE was one of the four Guardsmen who carried out this extremely dangerous work, calmly and efficiently handling dangerous explosives which he was not accustomed with. His task entailed the climbing of ladders to remove the charges and this had to be done under enemy fire. In addition, there was an exploding ammunition truck by the bridge.

It was only through the extreme bravery of Guardsman COLTHORPE and his comrades that the charges could be removed and the bridge saved from destruction.
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NB The other 3 Guardsmen were HENRY TRIMBLE, K. FIELDING and C. MOLLARD. Of the four men three survived the war and Collin MOLLARD was the only one who was later killed in action.

From WAR DIARY, 3rd Bn, Irish Guards:

September 10, 1944; EAST OF HECHTEL
As is often the case, the 1/50000 scale map bore no resemblance to the ground and after one company and one squadron had been launched on the chosen axis it was proved that the going was entirely unsuitable to tanks. Luckily, No 4 Company, which had been sent forward for this task of ground recce were able to disengage from the enemy with very light casualties and the Battalion group followed up the C.L. of the GRENADIER GUARDS group who had discovered a bridge by means of which tanks could cross the otherwise impassable ground. Having reached the main rd to the ESCAUT Canal, the I.G. group were ordered to hook right and make for the bridge over the ESCAUT at de GROOT BARRIER. During the approach march we met no opposition and civilians and elements of H.C.R. informed us that there were no enemy SOUTH of the Canal. We reached the area of the bridge as light was failing and the Commanding Officer, after a rapid recce, decided to try and rush it. No. 2 Company and one squadron of tanks were detailed for the job. The tanks put down a hail of fire on the area of the bridge itself and succeeded in knocking out several unarmed 88 mm Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Tank guns.

Lt. STANLEY-CLARKE’s platoon preceded by a troop of tanks then rushed the bridge itself and succeeded in reaching the opposite side. The remainder of No. 2 Coy and No. 3 Coy were quickly pushed across to join them and the position was rapidly consolidated.

The R.E. Officer* with the Battalion succeeded in disconnecting all the charges which were in position to blow the bridge, and the crossing of the ESCAUT had been successfully achieved. Total casualties for the day were one Other Rank killed and 5 Other Ranks wounded.
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*The Royal Engineer officer was Lieutenant Ronald David Hutton who was awarded an M.C. for the this action.

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