6976983 Sgt Frank McALEER, DCM, 6 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers: 08/05/1943

Still an incredible story and I was just looking at my copy of the Victor the other week when I learned of the sad passing of Frank McAleer who I had the pleasure of speaking to about his uncle Frank above. I wonder if it was Ernie he saw lying there and mistook for L/C Nelson? I did know he had been taken prisoner but I think one died of wounds. I will let the family know if this latest posting. Thank you

 

A small reminder that today is 80 years to the day, 24th February 1943, since Sgt Frank McAleer went looking for some Germans north of Bou Arada:

“On 24 Feb 43 No 6976983, A/Sgt F McAleer, at about 0800hrs, proceeded from MINEFIELD Fm 657058 to Pt 286, a hill known to be occupied by enemy with strength about one Platoon. His military mission was information, but his own object was to obtain revenge for the loss of a patrol on night 23/24 Feb 43. He spotted an MG post, went to the flank of it, surprised the crew of two, collected the MG and disabled the two prisoners a matter of 1000 yards back to MINEFIELD Fm. This was in broad daylight. The daring act resulted in obtaining information, which when later used, caused about 30 casualties to the enemy.”

Nec Aspera Terrent.
Faugh a Ballagh