302309 Capt W. Stansfield, Royal Artillery, Military Cross (SOE, France)

brithm · Dec 6, 2024

Capt Walter Stansfield, Royal Artillery
Service No: 302309
Award: Military Cross

Captain Stansfield was parachuted into France in June 1944 as British Representative on the Inter Allied Mission to French Resistance in the department of Aveyron, where he helped to organise military and political resistance and sabotage during the period between the landings in Normandy and in Southern France, and the subsequent withdrawal of the Germans.

When the French leader of the Mission was killed Captain Stansfield took over his functions, which he carried out with outstanding success, earning the admiration of the local French leaders of the French Forces of the Interior.

In order to demonstrate the possibilities of guerrilla warfare, Captain Stansfield led in person a number of successful actions against the enemy.

On the 31st July 1944 a German motor convoy was attacked south of Severac and 53 Germans were killed and 21 captured: three lorries were taken intact and the remainder destroyed. Captain Stansfield's party lost one man killed.

This officer also led attacks on the 18th and 19th August, in 50 Germans were killed and 1 tank and 4 armoured cars were destroyed.

Captain Stansfield's coolness in action was an inspiration to the patriots who harassed the enemy without respite and with great effect.
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WO 373/98/764

Walter STANSFIELD - born 15.02.1917 | The National Archives

Walter Stansfield - Wikipedia

SOE - Stansfield, Walter | Special Forces Roll Of Honour

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302309 Capt W. Stansfield, Royal Artillery, Military Cross (SOE, France)

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302309 Capt W. Stansfield, Royal Artillery, Military Cross (SOE, France)

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