1454267 Edward Charles HARRIS, MM, 21 Anti Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery

dbf · Jun 30, 2014

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=C9051463

Reference:WO 373/50
Name Harris, Edward Charles
Rank: Lance Serjeant
Service No: 1454267
Regiment: 21 Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery
Theatre of Combat or Operation: North West Europe
Award: Military Medal
Date of announcement in London Gazette: 21 December 1944
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32 Guards Brigade, Guards Armoured Division, 8 Corps

1454267 Lance Sergeant Edward Charles HARRIS, 21 Anti-Tank Regiment ROYAL ARTILLERY (G Troop, Z Battery)

At 0100 hours 5 August Lance Sergeant HARRIS, No. 1 of a 17-pounder Anti-Tank gun heard the rumble of a number of tanks approaching his position. In the dim moonlight he discerned the leading enemy tank entering his arc of fire. He at once manned the layer’s seat himself, not having time to transmit orders in the usual way. With his 2 i/c Bombardier CAMPBELL acting as loader, he layed on the tank which was a dim blob in his sights and with his first round scored a direct hit. The tank continued on its path for a 100 yds, and then burst into flames. By the light of the burning tank he could see two other tanks following close behind. Though his position had been given away by the flash of his first shot and the two following tanks immediately opened fire on him at close range, he coolly laid on each of these in turn, fired on round at each tank, scoring direct hits and both burst into flames immediately. All three tanks were destroyed at a range of 100 yds, as owing to the close nature of the country they were able to approach the gun position very closely without being observed.

A few hours later Lance Sergeant HARRIS observed six enemy ? moving from cover approx 1000 x away. He fired one round scoring a hit on one tank and halting it, the others dispersed. It was later discovered that this tank was badly damaged and the enemy was unable to recover it before our advance reached that point.

RESULT: 4 rounds fired - 3 tanks utterly destroyed, one damaged and rendered useless. All four tanks concerned were Pz KW 111.

Recommended for Immediate Distinguished Service Order
Awarded Immediate Military Medal
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