Award MiD Capt. George Arthur Paull 2nd Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Artillery Arnhem

brithm · Jul 7, 2020

Major George Arthur Paull (268829) 2nd (Oban) Air Landing Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Artillery 19th July 1909 - 1st August 1993

I was appointed Troop Commander of X-Troop before the Battle of Arnhem with the rank of Lieutenant having been with 2nd Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. We returned to England in 1944 in preparation for the invasion of Europe including of course, Arnhem. My troop consisted of 4 x 17 pounder anti tank guns. Prior to the Operation taking place, I was ordered to join 156 Battalion, with 4 Parachute Brigade
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Major A.F. Haynes Commanding Officer of 2nd AL AT Bty recommended George Arthur Paull for a Military Cross for his actions at ‘Arnhem’ this was downgraded to a Mention in Despatches

During the Airborne operation at ARNHEIM in September, 1944, Captain PAULL was commanding a [X] troop of 17 pdrs. Anti-Tank Guns in support of 4th Parachute Brigade H.Q.
On the afternoon of 19th September, Brigade, H.Q., were occupying a position North of the railway Wolfhuizen – Arnheim about 1,000 yds East of the Wolfhuizen level-crossing. At approximately 1600 hors the Brigade H.Q. ordered to withdraw South of the Railway, via a small culvert which enabled the smaller vehicles, such as jeeps, to pass under the railway, as it was thought the level crossing was controlled by the enemy. It was, however, necessary t take the 17 pdr guns with their 2 pdr. portec(?) towing vehicles up the embankment and across the railway, as they could not be taken through the culvert.

Captain PAULL was ordered to proceed and find a rendezvous for his guns. One gun was safely taken across, but before it was possible to move the others the troops came under heavy fire, including mortar, and the gun crews were over the railway by the same means as the first. Captain PAULL who had returned to the North side of the railway, whilst the other proceeded down the road track to try and cross by the level-crossing at Wolfhuizen. This latter move was successful and on reaching the South side, I observed Captain PAULL driving by himself along the railway track looking for a suitable place on the embankment to take his gun to safety. He proceeded for a distance of about 300 yards in full view of the enemy and under heavy fire.

By his courage and devotion to duty Captain PAULL saved the remaining gun of his troop. His action was in accordance with the finest tradition of the Service
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WO 373/105/460

London Gazette 20th July 1948

brithm · Jul 7, 2020

Paull was also a witness to an incident of men of the Division being shot out of hand

An unpleasant incident

I wonder if there is any record of the following incident, I would be interested to know if there are any members who were involved. Shortly after capture by the S.S, I was taken to a group of more captured Airborne types in a clearing in a wood. The group consisted of about thirty other ranks and two Officers, a glider pilot named Captain Ian Muir and an R.E. Lieutenant named Skinner. With the three of us at the head, we were marched down the road toward a German H.Q. After we had gone about a couple of miles everyone was tired and very thirsty, so I asked the Officer, an S.S. type if we could be fallen out and get the chaps something to drink. He agreed to do this at the next opportunity, which he did. Just as we were halted a German with a Schmeisser jumped from one of the slit trenches lining the road and opened fire. Captain. Muir and Lt. Skinner got riddled and a number of chaps behind either killed or wounded. The strange part about it was that although I was immediately between Muir and Skinner, in fact shoulder to shoulder, I was not touched! In the confusion I shouted at the S.S. Officer and asked what the hell he was doing and he thereupon snatched a rifle from a nearby guard and shot the German with the Schmeisser stone dead. He then apologised to me, and said the reason was that all the troops were in such a panic that at the sight of a ‘Red Beret’ they went berserk! He asked me to give instructions to those remaining alive to remove their berets, which they did. Captain. Muir was still alive, but in a pretty bad way and pointed to his tunic pocket. I took out his wallet and he pointed to a picture of a person I took to be his wife and he endeavoured to make me understand to let her know what had happened. At that moment two rather fat German Officers arrived in a staff car. One jumped out and gave me a kick in the ribs, snatching the wallet from me. Captain. Muir then died in my arms. I attended as quickly as possible to any that were wounded and fortunately a German First Aid unit arrived and did what they could. The only people I can remember in the party were a Sgt. McIver and a Bdr. Monteith, the latter was badly wounded in the shoulder and I can remember tearing off a piece of his shirt to bandage it. I can also remember a Sergeant in the Cooks? Being badly wounded in the mouth, but he was quickly whisked away by the Germans in a car, before I had a chance to do anything further.Apparently very few people knew about all this. When I came home after the war I saw a notice in the Daily Telegraph from Captain Muir’s wife and parents, seeking information. I replied and still have a letter of thanks from them both. But as I say, I have never met or heard of anyone who was involved in this unpleasant situation except reading about it in one of the books written on the Arnhem Battle. Someone must have passed it on
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Award MiD Capt. George Arthur Paull 2nd Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Artillery Arnhem

brithm Senior Member

Attached Files:

paull.jpg

Paull 17 pdr.jpg

Paull POW.jpg

Paull Arnhem Pilgrimage (Western Gazette 6th September 1946).jpg

Paull RA Attestation.jpg

brithm Senior Member

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Award MiD Capt. George Arthur Paull 2nd Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Artillery Arnhem

brithm Senior Member

Attached Files:

paull.jpg

Paull 17 pdr.jpg

Paull POW.jpg

Paull Arnhem Pilgrimage (Western Gazette 6th September 1946).jpg

Paull RA Attestation.jpg

brithm Senior Member

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